SCHOOLS THAT LEARN

When I first browsed through the book Schools that Learn by Peter Senge, I wasn’t too motivated to read it. I said to myself “Oh this is going to be just another text book that I need to read for college”. Well I thought wrong. While reading through Schools that Learn I found it at times to be difficult to follow, but as I continued to read it became interesting. I liked the fact that the book spoke about real life experiences that one can relate to because these stories may just be some of the experiences that teachers may encounter each day.

One story from the book that stuck with me was when an elementary school principal arrives to his school early in the morning and finds a little boy sitting on the steps waiting for the school to open. When the principal asks the boy how long have you been here, the boy didn’t know because he didn’t know how to tell time. This little boy was only in kindergarten whose mom was a single parent that began her job at 5AM. The boy wakes up by himself and comes to school on his own, never knowing what time it is.

For me this story was touching because I have some students of my own that I know have lots of responsibilities that a normal second grader shouldn't have. Due to the fact of certain situations that children have at home they are exposed to more than they should be today. I feel even if this little boy knew how to tell time he would still have to wake up on his own everyday and go to school. Whatever situation or circumstances that a child has to deal with at home is always brought to school or even in the classroom. I think that those children who are affected with home issues affect their education. Yes, we as teachers are there every day to make a difference in the lives of children these days, and to teach them as best as we can, but when there is a serious situation at home is it very hard for the child to apply their self within the classroom. I also feel that a parent/teacher relationship is crucial to a child’s education because they go hand in hand.

In all, Schools that Learn had great experiences and stories to share. The story about the little boy I remembered the most because of the real life experience that I see almost every day with some of the students of my own.

SCHOOLS THAT LEARN

Hey, 

My Schools that Learn posting will be up shortly, sorry! 

Cognitive Learning Environments

In order for one to remember one must either memorize information or manage that information in some way that cannot be forgotten. I know for myself there are times when I cannot remember what I completed the day before without thinking about it for a few minutes. When working with children at a low primary level and expecting them to take in all the information given to them can become quite of a challenge at times. Also when you ask these children what they learned two or three days ago you cross your fingers hoping that whatever strategies you used that day to implement the lesson was useful in order for them to answer the question. For me I believe that working with children at such a young age, every lesson should be related to some kind of real life situations as much as possible. Therefore when asked to recall a certain topic they can image sometime real that occurred. For example with just the basic learning of the alphabet I introduce to my children real life objects that begin with each letter. Such as the simple A for Apple, so when the child is confronted with an apple they have the memory of apple beginning with the letter A. I also find that repetition is a key approach in helping with a child’s memory. When they continually see something over and over it eventually gets embedded in their memory somehow in order for them to recall it later on sometime. Memory is such an important t aspect in life that is crucial to our well being. What is most important is the strategy we use in order for us to help our mind remember any kind of information. Being a teacher the package includes helping students remember information that is instructed to them. Based on the fact that everyone has different learning styles one must try to the best of their ability to meet those different learning styles in order for students to remember important information.

Response for The Constructivist Learning Environment –

The Constructivist Learning Environment –

After reading the power point presentations I was left with so much information that at times I was confused but read them over again and grasped the idea. In all I view the constructivist learning environment as an environment that I like to teach in. I was always pro interaction and hands on activity when it came to instruction. The constructivist learning environment gives you the opportunity to engage yourself in your own learning. We all learn from our own experiences don’t we? Well with this kind of environment one can teach oneself with interaction, communication, and the famous trial and error approach with any given situation. The constructivist learning environment does not put you in that teacher lectures students take notes situation, but rather teacher instructs activity students take action and learn by actually doing.
For my situation as a current educator for a primary 3 yr old classroom, the constructivist learning environment is taken place almost every day; whether it is apply the letter of the week to hands on activities or instructing basic concepts such as learning how to tie shoe laces. The essential idea of these children learning to color I’ve seen over time came naturally within themselves. Although we are still in the beginning of the school year I’ve seen much improvement from a child scribbling all over their paper to now they actually can color within the lines. For such a young age it is crucial to put every lesson into an everyday real life experience as much as possible for the children to have a better understanding. These young students come into class everyday anxiously with many questions and concerns that are waiting to be answered. It is our job to fulfill these voids to the best of our ability and instruct the best way possible.

Its time....

Hello Blog,

I guess its time I post something on here. I've been meaning to but I just haven't had the chance. I am enjoying the education technology program so far. The amount of new technologies that I am learning is overwhelming but as the same time exciting. I always had an interest in technology and the use of the computer so for me this is experiencing is like one great roller coaster that I never want to get off of. The workshops that I have attended so far have been very useful for me and I do plan on going to many more. The information is also useful and can be applied anywhere, whether it be for your classroom or just for your own personal use. I am looking forward to learning many new technological theories and apply them when needed.

Be back soon.......