Activity 3 Do Schools Kill Creativity?

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed watching this video! Robinson does a great job at conveying his message, but also making it fun at the same time. I found myself writing notes after notes until I had 2 pages.

Three ideas I agree with...

1. Everyone has an interesting education and it goes deep with people like money and religion. It takes us into the future that we can't grasp.

2. All kids have tremendous talents.

3. Children are not afraid to be wrong.

Two ideas that surprised me...

1. We grow out of creativity (or are educated out of it)

2. Everywhere on Earth has the same hierarchy of education.

Idea that confused you/ disagree with...

This video was simply amazing! Robinson talked about all the things that I feel very strongly about and he managed to do it in a fun way. I do not disagree or am confused about anything he said. He was very clear and truthful about the things he said. This is a video that I will reference in the future when I talk about my perspective of teaching!

Double Entry Journal #15

·         When children are given a chance to initiate play and exploratory learning, they become highly skilled in the art of self-education and self-regulation.

·         Young children work hard at play. They invent scenes and stories, solve problems, and negotiate their way through social roadblocks.

·         All young children, not just those living in poverty, need the support of teachers who understand the value of play.

I chose these quotes because they are all things I feel strongly about. I am currently in a kindergarten class for my 75 hour clinical and I see first-hand how important play is to the children. They are still learning things even while they are playing. They are communicating, sharing, thinking, and speaking. Play is very important in my eyes and I think that others need to see how important it is as well. 

Video on why play is important 

Double Entry Journal #14

1. What was the most interesting idea you encountered as you read the chapter?

I found the most interesting idea was about "Millennials." It is a generation of children today who have lived their entire lives in the new capitalism. It really caught my eye when he compared baby boomers to Millennials and the shows that each might be interested in because I find what he said to be very true. 

2. What connections can you make between Gee's critique and Sir Ken Robinsons' critique of traditional schooling?

They both agree that we need to teach school so that it gives meaning to our students. We need to prepare them for life and the best way to do that is through what they already know and what they are experiencing in their lives.

 

3. How did this book change or support your understanding of good teaching?

This book supported my ideas on how important it is to think "outside the box" when it comes to teaching children. Each child is different and you have to approach each situation differently and if you apply them to real life the students are to better understand what you are talking about. 

Double Entry Journal #13

1. Give an example of a "community of practice" in which you are currently participating in.

An example of a community of practice that I am currently participating in is FSU Reads. We recently did a community service project where we read a book about the community and then the students created their own bird feeders.

 

2.Why is the term "community" better defined in relation to spaces rather than groups of people?

Community is better defined in relation to spaces rather than groups of people because each person is different and they aren't always in the same group. 

 

3. What is a "generator"? What is it's counterpart in school?

A "generator" is what the space is about and in school it is content. 

 

4. What is a "content organizer"? What is it's counterpart in school?

The "content organizer" is how things are designed/organized. This is related to school because as teachers we are always planning and organizing or lesson, our classrooms, and how our content is presented. 

  

5. What is a "portal"? What is it's counterpart in school?

A portal is something that gives access to the content in the space. This may relate to textbooks or the Internet. 

6. What do people have an "affinity" for in an "affinity space"? How does this inform your understanding of good teaching?

They have an affinity for what they are interested in.This informs my understanding of good teaching because teachers need to see that students must be interested in, see the value in what they are made to learn because if they are not then the learning process can very painful or sometimes impossible.

 

7. How do "affinity spaces" support inclusive classrooms? Choose two characteristics below to make connections between "affinity spaces" and inclusive classrooms.

Affinity spaces support inclusive classrooms because they do not go against the people that are in it. A sense of community and sharing a common vision allows people to connect and work together. 

 

8. How are traditional classroom different from Affinity Spaces?

Traditional classrooms separate the students by depending on academic level. In Affinity Spaces the name says it all. It is a larger branch that allows students to learn in an "nontraditional way." 

 

 

Double Entry Journal #12

1. What is the main argument the author is making in Chapter 5?

The main argument that the author is making in chapter 5 is that their is a connection between video games and learning. 

 

2. What constitutes a theory of learning?

Patterns and Principles. 

 

3. Why did the author struggle to learn to play Warcraft III? What needs to proceed before good learning principles?

The author struggles to learn to play Warcraft III because he "failed to engage with it in a way that full recruited its solid design and learning principles (Gee, 59)."  Motivation needs to be proceed before good learning principles.

4. How would have the authors struggle with learning to play Warcraft III been interpreted in school?

The authors struggle with learning to play Warcraft III would been interpreted as a failure in school. 

 

5. What kind of learning experience might be better suited for at risk students?

At risk students might be better in an environment where they can play video games. 

 

6. Why does the school-based interpretation of "at risk" lead to bad learning?

The school-based interpretation of "at risk" leads to bad learning because they are not challenging the students. 

 

7. What do schools need to do to function more like a good game?

Schools need to challenge their students more.

 

8. What is different about how good games and school assess learners?

Schools give students tests and then based on those tests teachers decide what is best for the student. Games allow students to make their own decisions and choose what level of learning is best for them. 

 

 9. What are the attributes of a  fish-tank tutorial that make it an effective learning tool? How is it different than school-based learning?

The fish-tank tutorial allows the player to asses their own learning style by actually playing the game and learning how they learn best. This is different from the way that learning takes place in schools because in school, the student is assessed and then adults decide what is best for the student.

 

10. What is a sand-box tutorial? Why is effective? How is it different that school-based learning?

The sand-box tutorial is where the student is free to explore. It is effective because it allows the students to decide what the best way to learn is. This is different from school-based learning because in school, the student is assessed and then adults decide what is best for the student.

11. What is a genre? Why is it important for good learning?

Genre means the "type of thing something is (68)." It is important for good learning because the students needs to know what type of things teachers are asking them to learn.  

 

12. According to the author, what do learning and play having in common?

You are always learning something even when you are having fun. 

  

13. How are the skills test in good games different from skills tests in school?

Skills tests in school are not usually "developmental for the learner and not evaluative (73)."

 

14. How does RoN support collaborative learning?

He allows players to work in groups.

 

15. Match at least one learning principle of good games (on page 74) with each the following learning theorists you have studied in 3352:

Dewey #1

Vygotsky #12

Piaget #5

Gardner #14

Bandura #9

Skinner #15

 

 

 

 

Fosting High Quality Formative Assessment

What is formative assessment?
A formative assessment is an on-going assessment, review, and observation in a classroom. Teachers use formative assessment to improve instructional methods and student feedback throughout the teaching and learning process.

What is the CENTRAL purpose of formative assessment?
The central purpose of a formative assessment is to help the teacher and student see if they are understanding the outlined goals and objectives. 

Connect a best practice in formative assessment to one research-based strategy.
The teacher can  asses their  students by having a checklist with criteria listed. As the student  meets criteria the teacher can place a check by their name to show they have met the criteria. 

Give an example of how a specific assessment can be used formatively and summatively.
A rubric can be used as a guide so that the students know what is expected of them, and then it can be used to grade the final product.

Give an example from your field placement related to formative assessment and timing.'
Formative assessment can be challenging especially for the younger grades. Since I have Kindergarten it is usually the first time kids are in school and they need to be assessed appropriately. My host teacher cannot expect the students to come to school reading and writing, while some might be able to, most students cannot. My host teacher assessed the students at the start of the school year on what they know and  been teaching the students all year to reach a goal and then be assessed again to see if they reached that goal.

What are some strategies to help formative assessment be more effective when providing students with feedback? 
The feedback given to a student should be timely, specific, and task focused.  The comments should provide the students with motivation to improve their work, not with the feeling of failure.

Name two advantages to high quality formative assessment. 
One advantage of formative assessment is a way for students to self monitor and keep themselves on task. With the feedback being provided from the assessments they know where they stand and what they need to improve on. Another advantage of high quality formative assessment is that teachers are able to see if a student does not understand a concept, and help the student if their are not understanding the concept.

What are some challenges to implementing high quality formative assessment? 
One of the biggest challenges to implementing high quality formative assessment is that they can be very time consuming. 



 

  


 

 

Double Entry Journal #11

1. What does the author mean when he says, "Learning doesn't work well when learners are forced to check their bodies at the school room door like guns in the old West."

Learning doesn't work well when students can not relate it to their experiences outside of school. 

2. According to the author, what is the best way to acquire a large vocabulary?

According to the author, the best way to acquire a large vocabulary is through action. If you talk with other you learn the meaning of words and the context in which those words are used in. 

 

3. What gives a word a specific meaning? The context in which it is used or the situation it is used in. The author uses the word work in different contexts... "go to work," "won't work." 

4. What does the term "off the hook" mean in each of these sentences?

a. My sister broke up with her fiance, so I'm off the hook for buying her a wedding present.

The person is not obligated to buy a present for her sister anymore. 

b. Them shoes are off the hook dog.

It means the shoes are really awesome or cool. 

c. Man that cat was fighting 6 people and he beat them all. Yo, it was "off the hook", you should have seen it!!

It was something really awesome and exciting. 

 

5. According to the author what is the"work" of childhood? Do you agree?

According to the author the "work" of childhood is play. Yes, I do agree however, when a child is "playing" what they might not realize is they are learning things. They are learning how to talk to their peers or communicate, they are using tools, team-building, and following/or sometimes not following rules.

 

 6. Why is NOT reading the instruction for how to play a game before playing a game a wise decision?

By playing the game first without reading the instructions allows you to be hands on with the game. When you read the instructions you might not understand the terms or the context, but once you are playing it you understand what you have to do even if you make mistakes first. 

 

7. Does knowing the general or literal meaning of a word lead to strong reading skills?

Knowing the general and literal meaning of a word does lead to strong reading skills because that means the reader has an understanding of the context that it is being used in. It shows that the reader has some experience with the word. 

 

8.What does the author mean by the terms "identity" and "game". Give an example of 3 "identities" or "games" you play?

The author means that there are specific roles that people have and there are certain ways those roles or "identities" are acted out.

1. As a student teacher I am expected to act in a certain way like my dress, my manner, and being on time.

2. As a daughter I am expected to finish college and always do my best.

3. As an independent woman I am expected to maintain a job and pay my bills on time.

 

9. According to the author, what is good learning? 

Good learning is learning the right moves in order to interact in the real world. 

10. How does understanding that being able to build a mental model and simulations of a real-word experience is closely tied  to comprehending written and oral language support of change the way you think children should learn in school?

This is something I feel very strongly about. When children can relate their real-world experiences it can help them understand things they are learning in school. I like to think of of it as a puzzle, students can take what they know and piece it together with what they are learning in school. 

 

 

11. Why is peer to peer interaction so important for the language development of young children? How does knowing this support or change the way you think children should learn in school?

Peer interaction is so important for the language development of young children because they lead to positive social and emotional development in children. Knowing this supports the way children should learn in school because teachers need to see that not all work should be a worksheet. It is very important to use cooperative learning groups in the classroom. 

 

 

 

 

 

Double Entry Journal #10

1. What are the features of the forms of language that are spoken in a home environment that align with academic varieties of language?
 Features include: Children telling regular events as stories, parents reading to children, and children using clear language to answer questions.

2. What are the features of Leona's specialized form of language?

Leona groups her lines into stanzas where each line tends to have a parallel structure with other lines in the stanza to match them in content. Gee states that her stanzas are very complex because each one makes a pattern. All the features are reflections of Leona's home life.

3. Why is Leona's specialized form of language not accepted in school?

 Leona's story was not accepted at school because  it was written in a different way (not like a report) which is what most teachers expect. They do no not expect any type of poems.

4. Explain the contradiction between the research conducted by Snow et al. (1998) and the recommendations made by Snow et al. (1998).

Snow states that the "Black-White Gap" in reading test scores was closing fast from the 1960's until the mid 1980's. Snow contradicts himself when he admits that this improvement was much greater than any progress that has been made as a result of the early phonemic awareness training that he recommends.  

 

5. What other factors besides early skills training will make or break good readers?

Other factors besides early skills training that will make or break good readers is a sense of belonging, and the use if modern technology. If students do not feel supported  because of their form of language they might give up. Modern technology has made it very easy for students to use their own language and not be tested or judged on what/how they are saying it.

6. Why do some children fail to identify with, or find alienating, the "ways with words" taught in school?

Students find school-based languages alienating because is they can't find a since of belonging at school when their home-based language is ignored.

 

 

 

Double Entry Journal #9

1. What is the strange fact about not learning to read? 

The majority are poor or come from minority groups whose members have faced a history of prejudice and oppression.

2. Why is this fact so strange?

This fact is strange because it is well known enough to be taken for granted.

3. What is it about school that manages to transform children who at good at learning things like Pokeman into children who are not good a learning?

In school, we tend to focus on the "skill" of reading rather then what is fun about reading therefore, taking out what the students might be interested in.

4. What is the differences between a traditionalists approach to learning to read and more progressive educators?

•  Traditionalists approach reading as being skill-based.
•  Progressive educators approach reading as being meaning driven.

5. Is learning to read a natural process like learning to speak a language?

No, because a natural processes happen when a child is exposed to the right sorts of input and environments, which is not usually the case with reading. 

6. What is the differences between natural, instructed and cultural processes and which process should reading be classified under?

• Natural: ALL would learn to read.
• Instructed:speaks for itself.
• Cultural: some will succeed and then teach others.  
• Reading should be classified under the cultural process because it ensures that whatever is being taught that everyone who needs to learn, learns.

7. How do humans learn best? Through instructional processes or through cultural processes? How is reading taught in school?

Humans learn best by doing which is more of a cultural process. Reading is taught in school through an instructional process.

8. According to the author, what is the reason for the "fourth grad slump."

Students who can "read" in the sense of decode and assign superficial literal meanings to text, but can not "read" in the sense of comprehension. 

9. What is a better predictor of reading success than phonemic awareness?

Early language ability, semantic and syntactic skills.

10. What is the difference between "vernacular" and "specialist" varieties of language? Give an example of two sentences, one written in the vernacular and one written in a "a specialized variety",  about a topic in your content area.

Vernacular is someones everyday language. Specialist language is a special learning purpose or activity. For an example of vernacular I might say to a child "I have to take the dog to the animal hospital because he is very sick and he is going to go to doggy heaven. An example of specialist is "I have to to the do to the veterinarian to have in put to sleep.

11. What is "early language ability" and how is it developed?

Early language abilities are prototypes of academic language that is developed at home. 

12. According to the author why and how does the traditionalist approach to teaching children to read fail?

It is not started early enough, and it does not take into account each child's early language ability.

13. Are parents of poor children to blame for their children's inexperience with specialized varieties of language before coming to school?

In my opinion, it doesn't matter if a child is poor or rich if the parent isn't willing to take the time to help their child then the child is not going to learn. I did not come from a high class, but my mom and dad always stressed reading and writing along with other academics. If you don't have the parents help and support it can be a hard and long process getting the child to read. 

14. Did you struggle with reading this text? Why? Are you a poor reader or are you unfamiliar with this variety of specialized language?
I did not struggle with this text because the author did a fine job at giving examples. Reading is something that I have always enjoyed and has been a easy process for me.

Double Entry Journal #8

1. What is the main challenge being addressed in this book?

The main challenge being addressed in this book is "how to get all children- rich ans poor-to be successful in school, but to ensure also that all children- rich and poor-are able to learn, think, and act in new ways fit for our new high-tech global world" (James Paul Gee, 2004).

2. What does the author mean by the phrase "ways with words?"

I think the author means that "ways with words" is simply the way you speak. There are some people that when they speak you believe what they are saying maybe not because it is true, but because how they are saying it. It could also mean a certain way of saying words like in a restaurant or in different culture they have ways of saying words that doesn't make sense to everyone.

3. What is the core argument being made by the author of this book?

"The core argument of this book will be that people learn new ways with words to which these words apply compelling" (James Paul Gee, 2004).

4.Give an example of a specialized variety of a language or "way with words" you have learned outside of school?

I worked in an Italian restaurant for 4 years and we didn't always speak the words, but we would write them. For example, a large pepperoni, italian sausage, green peppers, onions, black olives, and artichoke hearts would be written.... LG pep, it saus, gp, on, bo, and art <3. Not everyone understood what that meant unless you worked there and had understood the "way with words" that were used there.

5. According to the author, how do people learn a specialized variety of a language or "way with words" best?

People learn a specialized variety of language or "way with words" when they can connect those words to an experience or situation.

6.  If people are to be successful in the 21st century, what must they become?

They "must become 'shape-shifting portfolio people'; that is, people who gain many diverse experiences that they can use to transform and adapt themselves for fast-changing circumstances throughout their lives" (James Paul Gee, 2004).

7. The author states that  learning academic language is NOT sufficient for success in modern society? Do you agree? Why or Why not?

I agree. Just learning the language in school is not the only thing you need in order to succeed especially in today's society.

8. What do you think about this author's "way with words"?

I really enjoyed the authors "way with words." I thought the introduction was very easy to read and  it felt like the author was talking directly to the reader.

Source:

Gee, James Paul, Situated language and learning: a critique of traditional schooling. New York: Routledge, 2004. Print. 

Student Interview

Observation:

Within the first 2 weeks of being at my 75 hour clinical in a kindergarten classroom. I was able to find the two students that I wanted to do my student interviews with. My struggling student comes from a low income family she missed several days my second week there and she rarely ever comes to school with her homework done. She is struggling with almost everything my host teacher introduces to the class. My host teacher also breaks the kids up into three tables... table one being the high performing students, table two being the average students, and table three being the struggling students, she sets at table three. My high performing student obviously sits at table one. He speaks very well for being in kindergarten and he is always the first to raise his hand to answer a question. One day he was asked if he did his homework because it wasn't in his folder. He accidentally forgot it at home and almost burst into tears because to him that was a sign of failure. I have noticed he has a little trouble with his reading skills, but he talents in other subjects are outstanding.

Interview with the struggling student: 

Question: Do you enjoy school?
Student: Yes

Question: What kind of a student are you?
Student: A nice one.

Question: What do you do for fun outside of school?
Student: Play with my sister and baby dolls.

Question: How would your classmates describe you?
Students: Nice

Question: Who are you friends with?
Answer: Brooklyn and Elizabeth.

Question: What do you and your friends do together?
Student: Play on the slides.

Question: Tell me a good memory you have about school?
Student: Getting moved to the hard worker board.

Question: Tell me a bad memory you have about school?
Students: Nothing.

Question: Describe a "good" teacher or favorite teacher...
Student: Could not give me an answer for this.

What is on thing you wish your teacher knew about you?
Student: That I like princesses.

Interview with high performing student:

Question: Do you enjoy school?
Student: Yes.

Question: What kind of student are you?
Student: A good one

Question: What do you like to do for fun outside of school?
Student: Play video games, play with my friends, and play outside.

Question: How would your classmates describe you?
Students: Nice and Fun.

Question: Who are you friends with?
Student: Jaydon, James, Brandon, Braydon, and Carson W. 

Question: What do you and your friends do together?
Student: Play on the twirly slide and play freeze tag.

Question: Tell me a good memory you have about school?
Student: I got to move to the excellent student and hard worker board.

Question: Tell me a bad memory you have about school?
Student: I had to sit in the "take a break" chair, but only once.

Question: Describe a "good" teacher or your favorite teacher...
Student: Mrs. Rogers

What is one thing you wish your teacher knew about you?
Student: That I liked to play Plants vs. Zombies. 

Double Entry Journal #7

What are some challenges to inquiry approaches to learning? The challenges that many teachers come across in inquiry approaches involve projects. They are very complex and if teachers don't fully understand them they might have trouble giving directions to the studens. They may also have trouble providing scaffolding and assessment of the project. The challenges that students face in inquiry approaches come from a lack of experience with these types of projects.

Double Entry Journal #6

1. Read the Introduction. What "dominant paradigm" is showing signs of wear?

The dominant paradigm that is showing signs of wear are teachers who are refusing to step outside of the box and do other things then just text book work or through lecture. We are finally starting to see teachers, and principals are doing different forms of projects.  

2. According to the research, how does project-based learning support student learning better than traditional approaches? Describe three benefits and cite the studies

Benefit One:  In comparison to the control group, the students engaged in project-based learning demonstrated a significant increase in scores on a critical- thinking test, as well as increased confidence in their learning (Shepard, 1998).

Benefit Two: "Studies of traditional vs. project-based approaches have demonstrated several benefits from projects, such as an increase in the ability to define problems,(Gallagher, Stepien & Rosenthanl, 1992) growth in their ability to support their reasoning with clear arguments ( Stepien, Gallagher, & Workman, 1993), and enhanced ability to plan a project after working on an analogous problem-based challenge ( Moore, Sherwood, Bateman, & Goldman, 1996).

Benefit Three: Students who may struggle in traditional instructional settings have often been found to excel when they have the opportunity to work in a PBL context which better matches their learning style or preference for collaboration and activity ( see e.g.,Boaler, 1997; Meyer, Turner,& Spencer, 1997; Rosenfield & Rosenfield, 1998).

3. According to the research, how does Problem-Based Learning support student learning better than traditional approaches? Describe three benefits and cite the studies.

Benefit One: Problem-Based Learning is that it supports more flexible problem solving.  There are many possible solutions to one problem; there is no designated right answer.  Students have the chance to use their knowledge and creativity to find solutions.  (Dochy, Segers, Van den Bossche, and Gijbels, 2003). 

Benefit Two is that students are better able to make hypotheses and explain their reasoning for their hypotheses.  Instead of having the teacher or the textbook tell them what is happening, they have the opportunity to explore on their own and construct their own knowledge.  (Hmelo, 1998b; Schmidt et al., 1996). 

Benefit Three: is that students are better able to support their findings with well-reasoned justifications.  They are critically thinking about their problem to come up with a solution, and because it is their own reasoning, they are better able to articulate it more so than if they were just trying to repeat something they read in a book.  (Stepien et al., 1993).

4. According to the research, how does Learning by Design support student learning better than traditional approaches? Describe three benefits and cite the studies.

Benefit One to Learning by Design is that students have the chance to design artifacts that show their understanding of knowledge.  They get to use their creativity, and the teacher can see if they are grasping the concept in a real world situation.  (Fortus and colleagues, 2004). 

Benefit Two is that through Learning by Design activities, students get to become experts on the concepts that they are working on.  In order to create their artifact they must do research and collaborate with others to find information they will need.  (Hmelo, Holton, and Kolodner, 2000).

 Benefit three is that design activities help students better in understanding complex systems.  They are able to look at the problem from different perspectives, and if one solution isn’t working they can make revisions and try again.  (Perkins, 1986).

 5. What are the differences between the three approaches?

 In Project-Based Learning students will complete a series of tasks that will result in one final product or presentation.  In Problem-Based Learning students will be given a real life problem and they have to come up with a solution. There are many ways they can approach the problem, and not everyone’s solution will be the same.  In Learning by Design students create an artifact that demonstrates that they understand a concept and how to apply it.

 6. In your opinion, what is the most important benefit to learning that is common across the three types of inquiry-based learning approaches?

I think the most important benefit out of all three approaches is that in all three the students are gaining their own knowledge and they are being active in their way of learning. They aren't just sitting there listening to a lecture or doing book work. 

Source:

Barron, B., & Darling-Hammond, L. Teaching for meaningful learning. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/pdfs/edutopia-teaching-for-meaningful-learning.pdf