I can say with certainty that this course impacted how I look at the education system, and my decision to change my career goal. It was not how the class was run, but the topics and issues that this course forced me to research that changed my mind. I believe a lot of work has to be done to the education system in order for children to gain anything from their education today. It is almost as is we are cheating today's students out of an education simply because we are not able to decide what is best for them, which in their eyes, is our duty as authority figures and adults.
I enjoyed my time observing in classrooms and interacting with students of varying ages, I know that I will remember that experience for the rest of my life. Being able to talk with my fellow classmates and hear their opinion on the issues that stuck me allowed me to see different point of views. I enjoyed reading about others opinions, similar and different from mine. From looking at my peers blogs, I was really impressed with just how passionate they were about the topics we discussed. It feels good to know that others as startled and hurt by the problems with education in today's schools, as well as the good things that are happening for the students.
I really enjoyed blogging and sharing my thoughts with all of you! I hope to continue this blog and maybe continue to interact with some of my classmates in the future. Enjoy the rest of the summer everyone!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sex Discrimination in Education
How are Women Discriminated Against in the Education System?
Women tend to be discriminated against more than men. They suffer all forms of discrimination such as stereotyping, sexual harassment, and steering. They tend to be lead to "female" oriented occupations which receive lower wages. The misconception that women are not interested in "nontraditional" courses was disproved in one case when a career day was provided to students. Female students enrolling in nontraditional courses rose thirty-two percent.
An important issue that surrounds the lack of female involvement in technical careers is America's current standing compared to the rest of the world as far as being caught up with technology. The lack of females in these careers is only contributing to our nation being behind the rest.
Another issue is within athletic programs. Females make up half the population of most universities, but only receive one third of the athletic scholarships that males do. This hinders female health, because it is proven that women who remain active are healthier, do better in school, and are less likely to try drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and become teen parents.
Sex Discrimination in Education
I personally feel that it is obvious that females are discriminated against within an education setting. Female sports are looked at by fellow students as a "joke" at least within my high school. And it was obvious that what female athletes received from sports teams did not compare to what male athletes received.
In some cases females do not only have to endure sexual advances from fellow students, but from teachers and people of authority. Being a women within the education system is no doubt harder than being a male, but I do not think fighting for equal rights means taking down male authority. Both sex's must work together in order to receive equal treatment within the education system.
Women tend to be discriminated against more than men. They suffer all forms of discrimination such as stereotyping, sexual harassment, and steering. They tend to be lead to "female" oriented occupations which receive lower wages. The misconception that women are not interested in "nontraditional" courses was disproved in one case when a career day was provided to students. Female students enrolling in nontraditional courses rose thirty-two percent.
An important issue that surrounds the lack of female involvement in technical careers is America's current standing compared to the rest of the world as far as being caught up with technology. The lack of females in these careers is only contributing to our nation being behind the rest.
Another issue is within athletic programs. Females make up half the population of most universities, but only receive one third of the athletic scholarships that males do. This hinders female health, because it is proven that women who remain active are healthier, do better in school, and are less likely to try drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and become teen parents.
Sex Discrimination in Education
I personally feel that it is obvious that females are discriminated against within an education setting. Female sports are looked at by fellow students as a "joke" at least within my high school. And it was obvious that what female athletes received from sports teams did not compare to what male athletes received.
In some cases females do not only have to endure sexual advances from fellow students, but from teachers and people of authority. Being a women within the education system is no doubt harder than being a male, but I do not think fighting for equal rights means taking down male authority. Both sex's must work together in order to receive equal treatment within the education system.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Education Is Like Becoming A Parent
I recently became a mother, and from the time that I found out I was pregnant, to the present, I have not stopped learning new things, changing my thoughts about how to be a good mother, making sure my daughter is learning and developing correctly, working with the people around me to help me manage my new hectic life, and so on.
Being an educator is a lot like becoming a parent. As a teacher, you are constantly adapting to new situations with your students learning abilities in order for them to reach their educational goals. You also have to work with students, and their parents in order to ensure that students are reaching their full potential. As a teaching professional, we always have to research new techniques and teaching strategies much like being a parent.
Teachers, as well as parents, develope relationships with the kids in their lives. These bonds are different, but are both significant. Teachers must develop a relationship with their students in order for them to feel comfortable enoough to share their opinions and thoughts in the classroom.
Both being a parent and being in the education system are huge responsibilities, that take a lot of work, constant attention, keeping an open mind, and a caring personality.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Hot Topic! Inclusion
I want to know how full inclusion benefits gifted children.
I conducted research on inclusion classrooms and the benefits it provides not only to children with disabilities, but to children who are exceptional or gifted. One article I came across stated that children with IQ's above 140 are wasting half or all of their time learning within an "ordinary elementary school situation." This means that students who are exceptional are only being hindered by their "normal" classroom settings. Taking inclusion into the classroom allows for the gifted students to remain with their school-aged peers, and be challenged on an educational level at the same time. This benefits the child, allowing them to remain with their peers, as well as keeps the students in the classroom rather than looking for alternative methods of education.
Highly Gifted Children in Full Inclusion Classrooms
I came across another article that discussed two cases; one that led to a student being introduced to an inclusive classroom, and one where a student was forced to seek outside acceptance. Both situations led to a satisfied student, allowing both the challenged and gifted students to feel more comfortable for who they were. But, this article brings up reasons why the inclusive classroom is a better alternative than looking elsewhere for education. Once inclusive classrooms are introduced, there is no need for any type of student to feel as though they "must leave because they are different." This links directly to multicultural education. If we keep separating our students based upon their learning abilities or disabilities, then we as teaching professionals are only further discouraging students to love and accept one's differences.
Educational Leadership: Why Gifted Students Belong in Inclusive Schools
I personally believe that it is important for any type of student to feel as though they belong somewhere. Inclusive classrooms eliminates the possibility of a student feeling "different" and having to find a place elsewhere that they can fit into. Students must learn that everyone is different in all sorts of ways, not just in the ways that we learn. Gifted students as well as students with disabilities and students who are average benefit from the inclusive classroom environment because they get to learn together and learn from one another.
I conducted research on inclusion classrooms and the benefits it provides not only to children with disabilities, but to children who are exceptional or gifted. One article I came across stated that children with IQ's above 140 are wasting half or all of their time learning within an "ordinary elementary school situation." This means that students who are exceptional are only being hindered by their "normal" classroom settings. Taking inclusion into the classroom allows for the gifted students to remain with their school-aged peers, and be challenged on an educational level at the same time. This benefits the child, allowing them to remain with their peers, as well as keeps the students in the classroom rather than looking for alternative methods of education.
Highly Gifted Children in Full Inclusion Classrooms
I came across another article that discussed two cases; one that led to a student being introduced to an inclusive classroom, and one where a student was forced to seek outside acceptance. Both situations led to a satisfied student, allowing both the challenged and gifted students to feel more comfortable for who they were. But, this article brings up reasons why the inclusive classroom is a better alternative than looking elsewhere for education. Once inclusive classrooms are introduced, there is no need for any type of student to feel as though they "must leave because they are different." This links directly to multicultural education. If we keep separating our students based upon their learning abilities or disabilities, then we as teaching professionals are only further discouraging students to love and accept one's differences.
Educational Leadership: Why Gifted Students Belong in Inclusive Schools
I personally believe that it is important for any type of student to feel as though they belong somewhere. Inclusive classrooms eliminates the possibility of a student feeling "different" and having to find a place elsewhere that they can fit into. Students must learn that everyone is different in all sorts of ways, not just in the ways that we learn. Gifted students as well as students with disabilities and students who are average benefit from the inclusive classroom environment because they get to learn together and learn from one another.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Hot Topic! Single-Group Studies
After reading about multicultural education this week, I found myself wanting to know more about single-group studies and how they are incorporated into school systems.
I want to know what a single-group study consists of, and if it is actually beneficial to students.
"According to Banks and Banks (2004) single group studies approach seeks to raise the social status of the target group by helping young people examine how the group has been oppressed historically and what its capabilities and achievements have been." To me, this means teaching students about significant figures in different cultures and how their actions effected that culture. Students are taught about one specific cultural group at a time, learning about their cultural attributes as well as how they affected American culture.
Multicultural Education
I came across an article that discussed reasons behind multicultural education approaches and the basics behind each one. They are all based upon developing a new curriculum for students in order for them to gain knowledge of different cultures and how to work together despite cultural differences. This article brought to light critics thoughts of multicultural education, some believe that in teaching students about individual cultures, one is only pointing out the differences between them, not encouraging society as a whole. This article goes on to discuss the authors work with a teacher in a New Jersey school on a multicultural studies course. The school in which this course was being developed happened to contain a population of 95 percent white, christian, middle class students. The goals of the teacher were to introduce cultural diversity and its importance in the world today, as well as provide awareness of today's social issues.
Students were asked to work with people that they would otherwise never interact with in after school programs. The students did not take the activity seriously, and even joked about the work they were asked to do.
Reflections on Multicultural Education: A Teacher's Experience
I was disgusted by the students reaction to the activity they were asked to participate in within this article as well as the opinions of those who disagree with multicultural education. Although this type of teaching does point out differences between cultures, I do not believe it does so in a negative way. I feel it provides insight for those who would otherwise never be exposed to the inner workings of other cultures. As teachers, we have to push the boundaries of comfort for our students that will only be pushed in a real world environment. Preparing them for life after school includes exposing them to different peoples and cultures.
I want to know what a single-group study consists of, and if it is actually beneficial to students.
"According to Banks and Banks (2004) single group studies approach seeks to raise the social status of the target group by helping young people examine how the group has been oppressed historically and what its capabilities and achievements have been." To me, this means teaching students about significant figures in different cultures and how their actions effected that culture. Students are taught about one specific cultural group at a time, learning about their cultural attributes as well as how they affected American culture.
Multicultural Education
I came across an article that discussed reasons behind multicultural education approaches and the basics behind each one. They are all based upon developing a new curriculum for students in order for them to gain knowledge of different cultures and how to work together despite cultural differences. This article brought to light critics thoughts of multicultural education, some believe that in teaching students about individual cultures, one is only pointing out the differences between them, not encouraging society as a whole. This article goes on to discuss the authors work with a teacher in a New Jersey school on a multicultural studies course. The school in which this course was being developed happened to contain a population of 95 percent white, christian, middle class students. The goals of the teacher were to introduce cultural diversity and its importance in the world today, as well as provide awareness of today's social issues.
Students were asked to work with people that they would otherwise never interact with in after school programs. The students did not take the activity seriously, and even joked about the work they were asked to do.
Reflections on Multicultural Education: A Teacher's Experience
I was disgusted by the students reaction to the activity they were asked to participate in within this article as well as the opinions of those who disagree with multicultural education. Although this type of teaching does point out differences between cultures, I do not believe it does so in a negative way. I feel it provides insight for those who would otherwise never be exposed to the inner workings of other cultures. As teachers, we have to push the boundaries of comfort for our students that will only be pushed in a real world environment. Preparing them for life after school includes exposing them to different peoples and cultures.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Hot Topic! Nutrition In Schools
I am not only interested in educating young people, nutrition and health are also very important to me. I have recently been following Jamie Oliver's mission to provide better food in LA schools. I want to know why school systems are preventing better foods from being provided to their students.
I wanted to learn more about his specific food revolution and the reasons why it started. I read on his website that children today are dying earlier than their parents due to childhood obesity from processed foods. His overall mission is to bring "home" cooking back into the home and slowly eliminate the availability of processed foods.
He wants to set up community kitchens in order to provide a place families can learn to cook together, as well as eventually promote change in large food corporations in order to have them produce their foods in a healthier way.
I completely agree with this movement! I love how passionate Jamie is about childhood obesity, it is a HUGE problem in today's society. Everything is about the now, especially food. More and more parents are choosing to order take out then cook for their families, mostly because of saving time. I believe it is important to bring kids into the kitchen as young as possible to teach them good eating habits they will keep with them for life. A healthy child is a happy one, and leaves even more room for teaching eliminating the worries of health problems.
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution
I wanted to learn more about his specific food revolution and the reasons why it started. I read on his website that children today are dying earlier than their parents due to childhood obesity from processed foods. His overall mission is to bring "home" cooking back into the home and slowly eliminate the availability of processed foods.
He wants to set up community kitchens in order to provide a place families can learn to cook together, as well as eventually promote change in large food corporations in order to have them produce their foods in a healthier way.
I completely agree with this movement! I love how passionate Jamie is about childhood obesity, it is a HUGE problem in today's society. Everything is about the now, especially food. More and more parents are choosing to order take out then cook for their families, mostly because of saving time. I believe it is important to bring kids into the kitchen as young as possible to teach them good eating habits they will keep with them for life. A healthy child is a happy one, and leaves even more room for teaching eliminating the worries of health problems.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Why Teach?
I researched reasons why teachers choose to become teachers. I stumbled upon this quote that I believe sums up my reasons for teaching beautifully. "All farmers and even tenders of city ivy pots know the fascination of watching things grow. But for the teacher it's not things-it's people." I do believe that aiding in the growth of a young mind is a respectable reason to become a teacher. Knowing that you are helping to mold young minds that will eventually learn to think for themselves and develop their own ideas and thoughts is a wonderful feeling. Teaching allows you to accomplish this on a larger scale, by allowing you to work with many students at a time.
article: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,793660,00.html
I also found an article that described a New York City teacher's issues with the city's view of ESL teachers and all New York teachers in general. He described his experiences with officials who told his school that they were not doing enough to ensure that their students were reaching their full potential according to their data. He then began to talk about why he endured the extra hours, stress from the department heads. It was because of the students who came back to thank him for enabling them to create a goal and reach it. Students who never thought they would learn english never mind be sophomores in college. This article really made me think. Teaching is one of the most underrated professions in my eyes. Students and parents alike do not realize the amount of effort that teachers put in in order for their students to reach well beyond their potential. And the reward for the teacher does not come until years later, and sometimes not at all. In order to keep going, you have to think of the students that you have helped and where they are today because of you.
article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-reinbach/why-teachers-teach_b_468012.html
article: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,793660,00.html
I also found an article that described a New York City teacher's issues with the city's view of ESL teachers and all New York teachers in general. He described his experiences with officials who told his school that they were not doing enough to ensure that their students were reaching their full potential according to their data. He then began to talk about why he endured the extra hours, stress from the department heads. It was because of the students who came back to thank him for enabling them to create a goal and reach it. Students who never thought they would learn english never mind be sophomores in college. This article really made me think. Teaching is one of the most underrated professions in my eyes. Students and parents alike do not realize the amount of effort that teachers put in in order for their students to reach well beyond their potential. And the reward for the teacher does not come until years later, and sometimes not at all. In order to keep going, you have to think of the students that you have helped and where they are today because of you.
article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-reinbach/why-teachers-teach_b_468012.html
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