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.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
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.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Study: British Math Teachers Some of the Worst in the World
http://www.educationnews.org/global/152166.html
This article talks about how British Math teachers rank 2nd lowest according to a study conducted by Plymouth University. Czech Republic was ranked the lowest.
An elementary school teacher in England requires only a C in Math GCSE to be qualified to teach, while secondary school teachers must have a degree in a math-related discipline. According to the article in the Daily Mail, most elementary school math teachers in Japan have a degree in mathematics.
The conclusions drawn by the Plymouth researchers point to improved training as the way forward. Raising the requirement for primary school teachers to at least a B in GCSE and making maths degrees and continuing career training a requirement for those wishing to teach at the secondary level are the necessary first steps. Tony McAleavy of the Plymouth Center says:
I agree that if the requirements are raised then Britain may not fall so low on the list. Having higher expectations and requiring that teachers are experts in the subjects they teach might make a big difference.
I almost wish there were global education standards that could be followed so that countries were not competing with one another around the world and that some countries were not lacking this or lacking that and that we were all on the same page.
This article talks about how British Math teachers rank 2nd lowest according to a study conducted by Plymouth University. Czech Republic was ranked the lowest.
An elementary school teacher in England requires only a C in Math GCSE to be qualified to teach, while secondary school teachers must have a degree in a math-related discipline. According to the article in the Daily Mail, most elementary school math teachers in Japan have a degree in mathematics.
The conclusions drawn by the Plymouth researchers point to improved training as the way forward. Raising the requirement for primary school teachers to at least a B in GCSE and making maths degrees and continuing career training a requirement for those wishing to teach at the secondary level are the necessary first steps. Tony McAleavy of the Plymouth Center says:
‘Teaching needs to become a respected profession in this country, on a par with the law and medicine, and then we will attract more able people.'
I agree that if the requirements are raised then Britain may not fall so low on the list. Having higher expectations and requiring that teachers are experts in the subjects they teach might make a big difference.
I almost wish there were global education standards that could be followed so that countries were not competing with one another around the world and that some countries were not lacking this or lacking that and that we were all on the same page.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Chapter 7 / Philosophy of Education
The presentation about Chapter 7 was about the Philosophy of Education.
First, the group shared the definition of philosophy and theory. Then, the group handed out a survey which everyone took which would help us determine which educational philosophy each of us fell under.
The philosophies are: Perennial, Essential, Progressive and Social Reconstruction.
I fell under Social Reconstruction. The results didn't surprise me too much because my undergrad degree consisted of many social work classes and a lot of the beliefs of someone who would believe in social reconstruction would be a social worker. I think once I dig deeper into the philosophy I fall under that it will make more sense to me in an educational sense. I look forward to finding out more and how my philosophy can help shape me as a future educator.
First, the group shared the definition of philosophy and theory. Then, the group handed out a survey which everyone took which would help us determine which educational philosophy each of us fell under.
The philosophies are: Perennial, Essential, Progressive and Social Reconstruction.
I fell under Social Reconstruction. The results didn't surprise me too much because my undergrad degree consisted of many social work classes and a lot of the beliefs of someone who would believe in social reconstruction would be a social worker. I think once I dig deeper into the philosophy I fall under that it will make more sense to me in an educational sense. I look forward to finding out more and how my philosophy can help shape me as a future educator.
Unequal Education
This video was about two schools in the same vicinity of one another. Riverdale and South Fordham schools. Riverdale was in a nicer middle class neighborhood and South Fordham was in a 'ghetto' like area which was not the safest area for students to navigate around in. The principal would walk the grounds of the school to make sure the students were getting to class and were safe.
Riverdale school had a nice track and field and South Fordham did not - they had to use an indoor gym. Riverdale had a band - students played instruments and at South Fordham students played keyboards - they could not afford to have a school band. Riverdale had licensed teachers; and South Fordham had unlicensed teachers teaching several subjects.
As one can see from this video alone; education for these two schools are unequal. One school has more than the other and that is unfortunate for the students at South Fordham.
I feel that every student deserves an equal education and it should not matter where a child lives; however, that is not the case. If you live in a nicer area; it is likely the school your child will go to has more to offer and better resources - I-pads, computers, a track and field, etc. If the area you live in is not the nicest, chances are the school your child will go to will lack resources and funding and your child may not be as fortunate as the child going to the school in the nicer area.
I do hope that some day this all may change and that all education will be equal and that each child will have access to the same resources and that it will not be a matter of whether you live in a rich or poor area. Each child deserves an equal education no matter what.
Riverdale school had a nice track and field and South Fordham did not - they had to use an indoor gym. Riverdale had a band - students played instruments and at South Fordham students played keyboards - they could not afford to have a school band. Riverdale had licensed teachers; and South Fordham had unlicensed teachers teaching several subjects.
As one can see from this video alone; education for these two schools are unequal. One school has more than the other and that is unfortunate for the students at South Fordham.
I feel that every student deserves an equal education and it should not matter where a child lives; however, that is not the case. If you live in a nicer area; it is likely the school your child will go to has more to offer and better resources - I-pads, computers, a track and field, etc. If the area you live in is not the nicest, chances are the school your child will go to will lack resources and funding and your child may not be as fortunate as the child going to the school in the nicer area.
I do hope that some day this all may change and that all education will be equal and that each child will have access to the same resources and that it will not be a matter of whether you live in a rich or poor area. Each child deserves an equal education no matter what.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Mother hopes others will opt out of standardized testing
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/03/20/pennsylvania.school.testing/index.html?iref=allsearch
When I read this article I immediately thought of the book I'm reading, The Global Achievement Gap. Schools are focusing more and more on preparing students for standardized testing and worrying about their achievement rather than worrying about if their students are learning anything they can take into the real world. What good will taking a test do in the real world? It probably will do very little.
This article talks about how parents have the option to take their children out of the standardized testing due to religion; however, one mother says it goes far deeper than religion and she feels that the tests do not represent the schools very well or her child.
Some parents feels that there is less curriculum and more focus on preparing students for these standardized tests and this disappoints parents because it does not accurately portray the schools or their children.
Some parents think that the parents that are taking their kids away from standardized testing are hurting education. There are two sides to this story and either one has valid points.
I do feel that schools are focusing less on the needed curriculum and are trying to focus more on preparing students for standardized testing. I think this is okay for the time being; however, one needs to look at the bigger picture. How are these tests going to help these children as adults? Will they help with social skills? Will they help in a job interview? Will they help in a job? Not really.. It almost seems schools are in a race to be at the top. As in the book, "The Global Achievement Gap".. There are many good schools; however, what are the students learning? They are basically learning how to take a test and in the end this isn't something that is going to help them in their future.
When I read this article I immediately thought of the book I'm reading, The Global Achievement Gap. Schools are focusing more and more on preparing students for standardized testing and worrying about their achievement rather than worrying about if their students are learning anything they can take into the real world. What good will taking a test do in the real world? It probably will do very little.
This article talks about how parents have the option to take their children out of the standardized testing due to religion; however, one mother says it goes far deeper than religion and she feels that the tests do not represent the schools very well or her child.
Some parents feels that there is less curriculum and more focus on preparing students for these standardized tests and this disappoints parents because it does not accurately portray the schools or their children.
Some parents think that the parents that are taking their kids away from standardized testing are hurting education. There are two sides to this story and either one has valid points.
I do feel that schools are focusing less on the needed curriculum and are trying to focus more on preparing students for standardized testing. I think this is okay for the time being; however, one needs to look at the bigger picture. How are these tests going to help these children as adults? Will they help with social skills? Will they help in a job interview? Will they help in a job? Not really.. It almost seems schools are in a race to be at the top. As in the book, "The Global Achievement Gap".. There are many good schools; however, what are the students learning? They are basically learning how to take a test and in the end this isn't something that is going to help them in their future.
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