Week 7- October 6, 2010

Entry 7: Due: October 6, 2010

Guiding Prompt: On the way home this evening, I was listening to a talk radio show and the topic was how technology was crippling college students. Needless to say, I was intrigued by the callers who were responding. A business professor from a Texas university, rated number one by her students she claimed, stated that she does not allow any form of technology in her classroom because she wants to force students (emphasis added) to interact and communicate. She uses Socratic teaching methods and believes that students today rely too heavily on technology and are disconnected socially, as well as, have zero writing skills due to their interactions with texting and social media. I'll have my own blog response, so feel free to hop on over to read my opinions on this matter. Quite simply...I want to know your thoughts. How would you respond to this professor if you were the next caller in line to talk to the radio host? BTW- he agreed whole heartedly with her efforts and hoped that others in the profession would follow suit.

I beg to differ with the business professor’s negative view of technology. Although I agree that it is important to implement conversation and social skills, I disagree that “students rely too heavily on technology and are disconnected socially, as well as, have zero writing skills due to their interactions with texting and social media.” As a citizen in society, as well as a future educator, I believe it is imperative for people to keep up with ‘the times.’ I actually believe we need MORE teachers to incorporate technology in the classroom. We are in the 21st century; this time is loaded with technology and social media. Due to this, it is important to teach students (and future generations) how to effectively use technology; it is a part of our everyday lives. Technology tends to be seen as a distraction: cell phones, texting, Skype, ‘tweeting’, facebooking, etc. I believe instructors should USE these technologies and turn them into a lesson or activity. For instance, turn Skype into an international project. For a social studies class, it would be neat to Skype someone from a different culture to see a different lifestyle and culture. In reality, this Texas professor’s stance on technology really frustrates me. I believe her classroom rules and regulations (banning technology) truly hinders the education of her students; they are missing out on learning how to effectively use one of the biggest piece tools in today’s society (technology).

Week 6- September 29, 2010

Entry 6: Due: September 29, 2010

Guiding Prompt: Discuss each of the social science disciplines in a way that helps you identify/remember/analyze what makes each important. What are your areas of weakness in regards to these topics? What are your areas of strength? Did you learn SOCIAL STUDIES or SOCIAL SCIENCE in your elementary school days?

In his textbook “Teaching and Learning Elementary Social Studies”, Albert Ellis discusses the different social science disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, sociology, and political science. “Anthropology is the study of culture or the scientific study of human beings” (Ellis). In order to remember this term, I find it helpful to draw a Venn Diagram. In this illustration, I would include different values and types of behaviors, beliefs, traditions, and cultures; this helps me visually see the similarities and differences between individuals and cultures, etc. Economics is the “study of how people choose to use resources” (Ellis). I apply this area of social science to real world situations and experiences in order understanding its significance; for example, I face decisions everyday where I have to decide how to deal with my monetary spending. In doing this, I am deciding what I have to gain and give up. Geography is the “science of place and space” (Ellis). Using maps and visual representations help me to see relationships among areas and locations as well as understanding relativity of specific areas. History “can be defined as the discipline that studies chronological records of events using analytical methods in an attempt to explain their causes” (Ellis). Reading books and textbooks allow me to understand key concepts of the past. I also try and keep up with the news to focus on the present as well. These actions allow me to keep track of the time, continuity, and change of our world. Sociology is the “study of life, social change, and the social causes of human behavior” (Ellis). In simply observing life and how it effects and occurs to different individuals, I am able to understand and analyze sociology’s importance. From these observations, I am able to see different characteristics that distinguish individuals and how these make them different and unique. Lastly, political science is “the study of governments, public policies, and political processes, systems, and political behavior” (Ellis). Through politics taking place in our nation, I am able to understand the fundamental ideas of our American constitutional democracy. Through watching leaders such as Presidents, I am able to see how important power, authority, and governance are. The fundamental values (common good, liberty, justice, equality, and individual dignity) are vital to our successful country. Personally, my strengths include anthropology, sociology, governance, and economics. I find that I am good with understanding and appreciating different people and their different ways of life. I find it easy to understand and remember the importance of power, leadership and authority. I find myself struggling more with the actual area of history and geography. It is difficult to understand and retain the large amount of information read/learned about the past and how we have gotten to where we are. I also need to spruce up my geography skills and learn where locations are in relation to one another. As a teacher, I believe these two areas are vital to successful teaching; thus, I will strive hard to improve my areas of weakness. In my elementary school days, I learned social STUDIES. My teachers really focused on ideas and topics of culture, people, change, civic ideals, etc. The content was really focused on human society, family, and the community. Although the content had potential to be interesting and engaging, I feel as though the elementary school social studies teachers I had lacked enthusiasm which rubbed off on the students. I have always had the mental idea of history and social studies to be boring.

Week 5- September 22, 2010

Entry 5: Due: September 22, 2010

Guiding Prompt: Tonight's topic was on diversity. We had some pretty uncomfortable, but very real, moments in our discussions of stereotypes, prejudices, and biases. How did this make you feel? Were you surprised at all by the class responses to my questions? Reflecting on your own thoughts, ideals, and practices, where do you go from here? Did the conversation make you stop and ponder? How do you handle this type of discussion in your own classroom?

Last night’s class was very uncomfortable. With honesty, each student shot out her thoughts on a topic given by Dr. Duncan. Although this activity was awkward, I believe it was very valuable. It gave students a chance to realize their own prejudices and stereotypes towards different races, genders, social classes, and ethnicity. In all honesty, I was surprised at how honest we all were in response to Dr. Duncan’s questions. I expected people to remain quiet (embarrassed to express their true thoughts). If this occurred, the lesson would have been much less valuable (if valuable at all). From honest thoughts throughout the conversation, I think many students in the class realized how bad we (as human beings) stereotype others. I think the thing that most surprised me was that no one (including myself) said “smart” when Dr. Duncan said “teachers are __________.” This alone proves a big point. As a future educator, it is important to become aware of my own prejudices and judgments; this will help me figure out what I need to work on before teaching students of my own. I hope to teach my students to appreciate and respect diversity in the classroom, society, and world. In order to instill this in my future students, I will make sure my lessons incorporate many different aspects of Banks & Banks 2009 model: contributions, additive, transformation, and social action approaches. It is important to really allow students to see things from another person’s perspective. Although we have different skin colors, gender, ethnicities, and cultures, we are all human beings underneath the skin we wear.

Week 4- September 15, 2010

Entry 4: Due: September 15, 2010

Guiding Prompt: In reading Ch. 2, Ellis (2010) stated: Children today are connected to the world. A generation ago, pen pals wrote to each other using "snail mail." Today they correspond instantly through the various avenues of the Internet. News is instantaneous. I remember talking to an elderly woman who told me that when her great grandmother was a child living in Oregon, the family received the news of Abraham Lincoln's assassination several days after it happened. Today we know immediately about earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other events taking place around the globe (p. 46-7). Respond to the following question based on this statement: How does the media affect our lives? decisions? beliefs? perceptions about the larger world?

Media plays a huge role in our lives. People are instantly informed of things occurring and happening around the world through a variety of medias: internet, televisions, radios, and cell phones. Without these resources, our society would be less informed and educated. Lack of media would also inhibit our quick ability to communicate, etc. If it weren’t for the media, I believe our society and generation wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are today; not as many things would have been accomplished. Technology and media sources have made things easier, more accessible, and available. These advances have allowed people to become more involved and ‘in-tune’ which effects their beliefs; thus, producing better citizens in decision making processes. An educated society is vital to success and improvements. Media sources provide insight into local, national, and worldly issues; these allow people to consider events occurring in other areas of the world that they wouldn’t otherwise know about. Overall, it is clear that media plays a huge role and affects our lives.

Week 3- September 8, 2010

Entry 3: Due: September 8, 2010

Guiding Prompt: Reflect on your own thoughts about how children learn. Address the following issues: interest, motivation, activity, exploration, and collaboration. What does that mean for you as a future educator of social studies?

I believe children are very concrete learners. Because young children have a hard time thinking abstractly, it is important to provide information to them in a fun, creative, and hands-on way. I have also observed (in field placements) that young students have an easier time learning and retaining information when they are able to relate to it. In order for students to learn they must first be engaged. Students will become engaged if they find some level of interest in the lesson. Thus, as a future educator of social studies, I will make sure I always begin my lesson with an interesting activity, statement, or idea that will draw students’ attention and engage them from the get-go. If students are not engaged from the beginning, it is likely that they will miss a good portion (if not all) of the material. Motivation is extremely important in order for students to learn at their full potential. If students lack this key characteristic, they will zone in and out and miss important information. As a future educator of social studies, I plan to motivate my students in a variety of ways: rewards (such as class parties, candy & games), verbal encouragement (“you’re doing a great job!” “keep up the good work!”), and relative information (information and activities that students can relate to). Young children learn very well through collaboration with peers (and sometimes teachers too!) In order to provide this in my future classroom, I will come up with activities that require group/team work and collaboration. For example, in studying different geographic areas, I will form groups of three or four students and have each group come up with a list of locations that have different types of geography and explain their characteristics. In this activity, students will explore different areas and locations while working with their peers at the same time. As a future educator of social studies (and any subject for that matter), I believe it is extremely important to engage students by capturing their attention and interest level through motivation, activity, exploration, and collaboration. Teachers need to provide different modes of learning in order to cater to a variety of students’ learning styles.