I wasn't too thrilled with the results of the IDI test; however, it could be that my results were a mistake.
I feel that I am a bit more culturally competent than the results showed. I have lived in another country and I have been raised by parents who are from another country. I have also had friends from many different cultures and religions and I have always been interested in knowing more about who they are and where they come from. This is why the results of the IDI surprised me because I feel that my competence should have been higher than the score that I got due to my life experience. I do feel that I could become more culturally competent; however, I feel that due to my life experience it has given me the mind to be open minded and be interested in other cultures, because I am also from another culture and I like having that in common with someone else.
I do hope that my IDI score was a mistake and I am more competent than the test revealed.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Finland Phenomenon
The Finland Phenomenon was a very interesting film to watch.
The educational system in Finald is remarkable and I wish that the United States could follow in it's foot steps.
The three biggest differences between the US and Finald was that each teacher must obtain a master's degree - 3 years of school for a bachelor's degree and 2 years of school for a master's.
Another difference was students addressed their teachers by their first name. This created a more relaxed enviroment for the students and probably created a better student/teacher relationship as well. When one has a better student/teacher relationship there is trust and respect. Both trust and respect are very important for a teacher to have from a student and also for a student to receive from a teacher.
There is not much homework for students and there are no tests given in Finland. In America, students are given homework (the older one gets, the more homework one receives) and there are standardized tests as well. If America was to focus less on tests and more on learning like Finland does; we may see America's rank for education increase.
I think it's important to look at what countries like Finland and other countries on top of the education list are doing right that we are doing wrong or maybe not doing at all and learn from them.
The educational system in Finald is remarkable and I wish that the United States could follow in it's foot steps.
The three biggest differences between the US and Finald was that each teacher must obtain a master's degree - 3 years of school for a bachelor's degree and 2 years of school for a master's.
Another difference was students addressed their teachers by their first name. This created a more relaxed enviroment for the students and probably created a better student/teacher relationship as well. When one has a better student/teacher relationship there is trust and respect. Both trust and respect are very important for a teacher to have from a student and also for a student to receive from a teacher.
There is not much homework for students and there are no tests given in Finland. In America, students are given homework (the older one gets, the more homework one receives) and there are standardized tests as well. If America was to focus less on tests and more on learning like Finland does; we may see America's rank for education increase.
I think it's important to look at what countries like Finland and other countries on top of the education list are doing right that we are doing wrong or maybe not doing at all and learn from them.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Waiting for Superman
Waiting for Superman was a good film to watch. The film speaks of the failures of public education by following several students through the educational system. These students have also applied at near by charter schools; hoping to be selected in the lottery of the charter school in which they applied for.
The narrator, in the beginning of the documentary talks about how he fears sending his kids to a failing public school and he says he's lucky; he can send his kids to a private school. He says he is lucky to have that choice and not everybody has a choice.
It's hard not to feel for the children as you follow them throughout the movie. They want to succeed and these children have big hopes and dreams. They want to be a doctor, a teacher, etc; however, the schools which they are going to are not rated as very good and the kids know this and want to get a better education if possible - which is why they applied to the charter school and unfortunately not all of the children won the lottery for the charter school which they applied to.
A few things that struck me during the film..
NCLB: The No Child Left Behind Act - it measures every child in the country and there are still 4 years left to be 100% proficient - as a country, we are not even close.
5th - 7th grade minority children are going from B - D students (not sure where or what percentage), the statistic shocked me, though.
The cost of Prison vs Private Schools. It costs more for someone to live in prison than it does for someone to go to a private school.
Michelle Rhee.. She is the chancellor for the Washington D.C. public schools. She has some wonderful ideas and many individuals don't see eye to eye with her and because of this not much can be changed unless people are supporting her ideas and want to change as well.
The film showed what flaws there are in the United States educational system and that much needs to be changed. One can only hope that in time we can change the way the educational system is for the better.
The narrator, in the beginning of the documentary talks about how he fears sending his kids to a failing public school and he says he's lucky; he can send his kids to a private school. He says he is lucky to have that choice and not everybody has a choice.
It's hard not to feel for the children as you follow them throughout the movie. They want to succeed and these children have big hopes and dreams. They want to be a doctor, a teacher, etc; however, the schools which they are going to are not rated as very good and the kids know this and want to get a better education if possible - which is why they applied to the charter school and unfortunately not all of the children won the lottery for the charter school which they applied to.
A few things that struck me during the film..
NCLB: The No Child Left Behind Act - it measures every child in the country and there are still 4 years left to be 100% proficient - as a country, we are not even close.
5th - 7th grade minority children are going from B - D students (not sure where or what percentage), the statistic shocked me, though.
The cost of Prison vs Private Schools. It costs more for someone to live in prison than it does for someone to go to a private school.
Michelle Rhee.. She is the chancellor for the Washington D.C. public schools. She has some wonderful ideas and many individuals don't see eye to eye with her and because of this not much can be changed unless people are supporting her ideas and want to change as well.
The film showed what flaws there are in the United States educational system and that much needs to be changed. One can only hope that in time we can change the way the educational system is for the better.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
After 3 Months, Mayor Replaces Schools Leader
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/education/08black.html?_r=1
This article is about Cathleen Black who was a city school chancellor in New York for a little more than 3 months. Individuals were stunned when she was chosen as the chancellor and she was asked to step down on April 7th, 2011.
She will be replaced by Dennis M. Walcottt, who, unlike Cathleen Black, has educational experience.
From the article, Cathleen's dismissal came about due to Ms. Black's lack of experience and also her behavior. She did not know much information when asked questions during interviews, she also would joke inappropriately or be mocking of others. It was most likely best for her to be dismissed and for someone better fit for the job to take over.
I feel that there are individuals who are in positions such as Ms. Black's who have little to no educational experience and feel they are entitled to a job such as that; however, they do not have the experience or knowledge that is needed. There should be a requirement for someone to be a chancellor. One should have knowledge and at least have had experience in the education system at one time or another in order to have the position of a chancellor because then one can truly understand what the job is about because the individual as truly 'been there'.
This article is about Cathleen Black who was a city school chancellor in New York for a little more than 3 months. Individuals were stunned when she was chosen as the chancellor and she was asked to step down on April 7th, 2011.
She will be replaced by Dennis M. Walcottt, who, unlike Cathleen Black, has educational experience.
From the article, Cathleen's dismissal came about due to Ms. Black's lack of experience and also her behavior. She did not know much information when asked questions during interviews, she also would joke inappropriately or be mocking of others. It was most likely best for her to be dismissed and for someone better fit for the job to take over.
I feel that there are individuals who are in positions such as Ms. Black's who have little to no educational experience and feel they are entitled to a job such as that; however, they do not have the experience or knowledge that is needed. There should be a requirement for someone to be a chancellor. One should have knowledge and at least have had experience in the education system at one time or another in order to have the position of a chancellor because then one can truly understand what the job is about because the individual as truly 'been there'.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
How was my school organized?
As I think back to my schooling days I think that I was kind of 'all over' as far as organization is concerned.
I went to several schools throughout my K - 12 years.
In Kindergarten - 4th grade I went to Kennedy Elementary school in St. Joseph, Minnesota. I think that this would be unheard of now a days; for a child to go to a school that is only K-4; however, that is the highest grade that was offered at my elementary school in the late night 1980-early 1990s (I think it was the same at some of the other schools in the 742 district, I'm not quite sure, however). Then, in 5th grade I went to Discovery School in St. Cloud, Minnesota which had a 5th and 6th grade.
Then, at the end of my 5th grade year my parents moved to Cold Spring, Minnesota and in 6th grade I attended St. Boniface Elementary School in Cold Spring, Minnesota which was a K - 6 school. Then, in 7th and 8th grade I went to Rocori Middle School which was also in Cold Spring, Minnesota.
In 9 - 12 I went to St. John's Prep School in Collegeville, Minnesota.
As you can see, I was all over with my schooling. I think if I was in grade school today I would be going to school that had K - 6 in the same school and 7 and 8 in another and then 9 - 12. I think having to jump around from school to school made it difficult for me to make any consistent friends (I also think moving didn't help much, either.. but, that's another story).
As for how the actual school itself was organized.. I don't quite remember since it was so long ago.. But, I think that how my education was back then was much different than it is now. I do know that my education was probably much different going to a private high school vs. someone who was going to a public school - there were higher expectations and harder classes since the high school I went to was preparing us for college and at a private school they have their own agenda which is followed.
My schooling was also a "normal" school year September - June up through 8th grade and then in 9th grade school started in late August and ended in late May.
Overall, I think I enjoyed my school years and I don't think I would have changed anything. As I stated, I think things have changed since I was in grade school - I do know what is being taught now is much more different than what I learned - especially in regards to Math. However, a lot can change in 15 - 20 years.
I went to several schools throughout my K - 12 years.
In Kindergarten - 4th grade I went to Kennedy Elementary school in St. Joseph, Minnesota. I think that this would be unheard of now a days; for a child to go to a school that is only K-4; however, that is the highest grade that was offered at my elementary school in the late night 1980-early 1990s (I think it was the same at some of the other schools in the 742 district, I'm not quite sure, however). Then, in 5th grade I went to Discovery School in St. Cloud, Minnesota which had a 5th and 6th grade.
Then, at the end of my 5th grade year my parents moved to Cold Spring, Minnesota and in 6th grade I attended St. Boniface Elementary School in Cold Spring, Minnesota which was a K - 6 school. Then, in 7th and 8th grade I went to Rocori Middle School which was also in Cold Spring, Minnesota.
In 9 - 12 I went to St. John's Prep School in Collegeville, Minnesota.
As you can see, I was all over with my schooling. I think if I was in grade school today I would be going to school that had K - 6 in the same school and 7 and 8 in another and then 9 - 12. I think having to jump around from school to school made it difficult for me to make any consistent friends (I also think moving didn't help much, either.. but, that's another story).
As for how the actual school itself was organized.. I don't quite remember since it was so long ago.. But, I think that how my education was back then was much different than it is now. I do know that my education was probably much different going to a private high school vs. someone who was going to a public school - there were higher expectations and harder classes since the high school I went to was preparing us for college and at a private school they have their own agenda which is followed.
My schooling was also a "normal" school year September - June up through 8th grade and then in 9th grade school started in late August and ended in late May.
Overall, I think I enjoyed my school years and I don't think I would have changed anything. As I stated, I think things have changed since I was in grade school - I do know what is being taught now is much more different than what I learned - especially in regards to Math. However, a lot can change in 15 - 20 years.
Chapter 8
The Chapter 8 presentation was about Organization of American Schools. The presentation was very informative.
The group showed a video about virtual education and in the video one of the girls was using a website called Starfall.com. I recognized this site because when I was living in Austria as a full time nanny; the 6 year old boy I nannied also used Starfall.com as a tool along with his academics. His teacher suggested that the students use Starfall to help them learn to read, help them with the alphabet - pronouncing letters, etc. The boy was also an Austrian native and going to an American school and was in his 2nd year of speaking English. I thought using this website was useful for him along with going to school. I think that using virtual learning can be useful if it's used along with regular education. However, I don't think virtual learning should just be used on it's own.Children will lack the social skills if they are not in a classroom setting and socializing with other children. I just don't think it's a good idea to use virtual learning on it's own; however, as I stated I feel it would be useful to use some virtual learning in a regular educational setting.
The group showed a video about virtual education and in the video one of the girls was using a website called Starfall.com. I recognized this site because when I was living in Austria as a full time nanny; the 6 year old boy I nannied also used Starfall.com as a tool along with his academics. His teacher suggested that the students use Starfall to help them learn to read, help them with the alphabet - pronouncing letters, etc. The boy was also an Austrian native and going to an American school and was in his 2nd year of speaking English. I thought using this website was useful for him along with going to school. I think that using virtual learning can be useful if it's used along with regular education. However, I don't think virtual learning should just be used on it's own.Children will lack the social skills if they are not in a classroom setting and socializing with other children. I just don't think it's a good idea to use virtual learning on it's own; however, as I stated I feel it would be useful to use some virtual learning in a regular educational setting.
2 Million Minutes
2 Million Minutes was quite an interesting film that compared the lives of high school students in China, India and the United States.
In the United States the high school students tried to find a balance between socializing and school and in India and China school was the top priority - I remember that one of the students in China said, "It's academics and nothing else." In America it seems school isn't always on the top of the list for students. In the film it seemed that in the United States high schools also focused on sports and that took some time away from academics. In China the extra curricular activities were taking ballet lessons for the female and playing violin or learning more about mathematics. In India the students focused on school more so than Americans; however, they also tried to have somewhat of an active life as well - playing soccer, engaging in family activities or doing normal teenage things - listening to music, playing computer games, etc.
I also noticed in the film that family time seemed more important in India and China than in the United States. The hectic lives of the high school students made it difficult for them to have meals with their family on an everyday basis; however, they tried to eat together a few times a week; where as in India and China they ate together every day and even helped in preparing meals and also what was eaten was different - in America one family had pizza (which was obviously delivered) and I think the other had lasagna - which is pretty easy to make and doesn't take much time.
Each of the countries have different thoughts on education. I think that education is a number one priority for all of the students that were featured in the film; however, how much time was spent studying and focusing on academics was a different story. I feel that China spent the most of their time on academics and had little time for anything else; India focused on school quite a bit as well; however, they also allowed themselves to have a social life and Americans came in third and although school was important for them, they also spent the most out of the three countries socializing and partaking in other activities other than academics and I think that has mostly to do with culture - Americans are a fast paced culture and we want to get things done quickly so we can get to things we enjoy the most. If we took time on what was important; we may also find time to appreciate our free time more.
In the United States the high school students tried to find a balance between socializing and school and in India and China school was the top priority - I remember that one of the students in China said, "It's academics and nothing else." In America it seems school isn't always on the top of the list for students. In the film it seemed that in the United States high schools also focused on sports and that took some time away from academics. In China the extra curricular activities were taking ballet lessons for the female and playing violin or learning more about mathematics. In India the students focused on school more so than Americans; however, they also tried to have somewhat of an active life as well - playing soccer, engaging in family activities or doing normal teenage things - listening to music, playing computer games, etc.
I also noticed in the film that family time seemed more important in India and China than in the United States. The hectic lives of the high school students made it difficult for them to have meals with their family on an everyday basis; however, they tried to eat together a few times a week; where as in India and China they ate together every day and even helped in preparing meals and also what was eaten was different - in America one family had pizza (which was obviously delivered) and I think the other had lasagna - which is pretty easy to make and doesn't take much time.
Each of the countries have different thoughts on education. I think that education is a number one priority for all of the students that were featured in the film; however, how much time was spent studying and focusing on academics was a different story. I feel that China spent the most of their time on academics and had little time for anything else; India focused on school quite a bit as well; however, they also allowed themselves to have a social life and Americans came in third and although school was important for them, they also spent the most out of the three countries socializing and partaking in other activities other than academics and I think that has mostly to do with culture - Americans are a fast paced culture and we want to get things done quickly so we can get to things we enjoy the most. If we took time on what was important; we may also find time to appreciate our free time more.
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