What? This week in class we discussed intelligence and students with special needs. Intelligence is such a hard thing to measure because everyone is so different and intelligent in their own way. IQ tests can have many flaws and Multiple Intelligence tests can be a good way to show strengths and weaknesses of your students but might also limit their abilities.
So What? Use the intelligence tests with a grain of salt and also teach your students that they can do anything that they put their mind to. As a teacher I think it is great to use this information for learning/teaching styles but also to set high but realistic goals for the students. It is important to know where your students stand academically but also to have consistent faith in them to do better.
Now what? Using the information we learn as teachers about intelligence and special needs as a guideline with our students but not as a rule. I believe knowledge can be empowering but also to let your students show you what they are capable of doing without any pre-judgment.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
9/10 Learning Log Group Differences Ch. 4...
What? This week in class we talked about group differences including cultural and ethnic diversity. There are also many cultural differences including language, behaviors, and beliefs that can help us understand our students better. Also, as teachers eliminating any gender bias we might have.
So what? It is important to understand other cultures because it will lessen any misunderstandings between the teacher and student/parent. It is also important to create a multicultural friendly classroom so that everyone from diverse backgrounds feels comfortable.
Now what? Educate yourself as a teacher on different cultures and use it in your curriculum. It would also be fun to have a week dedicated to a culture for example the week of Cinco de Mayo do fun things like have Mexican food and learn about the culture. When it comes to gender differences I think it is important to be aware of it but not to form expectations from your students based on their gender.
So what? It is important to understand other cultures because it will lessen any misunderstandings between the teacher and student/parent. It is also important to create a multicultural friendly classroom so that everyone from diverse backgrounds feels comfortable.
Now what? Educate yourself as a teacher on different cultures and use it in your curriculum. It would also be fun to have a week dedicated to a culture for example the week of Cinco de Mayo do fun things like have Mexican food and learn about the culture. When it comes to gender differences I think it is important to be aware of it but not to form expectations from your students based on their gender.
Implict Tests...(extra credit)
This was by far the most interesting test I have ever taken before! I thought it was odd how they pair male/female names with career/family words. My gender test results showed a 40% strong association between male and career. For some reason while taking this test I did find it easier to associate male names with career words then it was with women names. So somewhere in the back of my head I must have a stronger association with male/careers and female/family??
The race test results showed a 48% strong automatic preference for white people. This was also interesting because I don't see myself as racist or anything so I am not sure what to think about it. Could it have something to do with my upbringing in Utah and the majority of the population is white? This test was difficult because it gave African American and White faces with happy or sad words and at times was confusing.
These tests were very interesting in how they test for some kind of hidden or unconscious bias. I guess that is why it is an unconscious bias because the results were surprising to me. I would probably never use these with my students just because I think it is a test better handled by adults.
The race test results showed a 48% strong automatic preference for white people. This was also interesting because I don't see myself as racist or anything so I am not sure what to think about it. Could it have something to do with my upbringing in Utah and the majority of the population is white? This test was difficult because it gave African American and White faces with happy or sad words and at times was confusing.
These tests were very interesting in how they test for some kind of hidden or unconscious bias. I guess that is why it is an unconscious bias because the results were surprising to me. I would probably never use these with my students just because I think it is a test better handled by adults.
IQ & Multiple Intelligence Test...
The IQ test was very interesting because I have never taken one before. I ended with a score of 110 which is good I guess considering the average is 100. I didn't finish all of the questions though because I am a slow test taker and have always been. The test itself wasn't too hard just took some thinking and time.
The multiple intelligence test was a lot more enjoyable to do just because it was more based on your own opinion than your IQ. I ranked high in kinaesthetic and visual/spatial which didn't suprise me at all because I learn best doing things and I often picture things in my head. I ranked the lowest in logical which also wasn't surprising because I am not a big fan of numbers/equations.
I would definitely use the multiple intelligence test with my students because I think it help them learn more about themselves as a person and as a learner. The IQ test I would be careful about just because of the timed aspect. There are some students that are smart they just take a little extra time or are smart in some subjects than others.
The multiple intelligence test was a lot more enjoyable to do just because it was more based on your own opinion than your IQ. I ranked high in kinaesthetic and visual/spatial which didn't suprise me at all because I learn best doing things and I often picture things in my head. I ranked the lowest in logical which also wasn't surprising because I am not a big fan of numbers/equations.
I would definitely use the multiple intelligence test with my students because I think it help them learn more about themselves as a person and as a learner. The IQ test I would be careful about just because of the timed aspect. There are some students that are smart they just take a little extra time or are smart in some subjects than others.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Research Blog...
I chose a research study involving physical activity in elementary schools.
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated a health-related physical education program for fourth- and fifth-grade students designed to increase physical activity during physical education classes and outside of school.
METHODS: Seven schools were assigned to three conditions in a quasi-experimental design. Health-related physical education was taught by physical education specialists or trained classroom teachers. Students from these classes were compared with those in control classes. Analyses were conducted on 955 students.
RESULTS: Students spent more minutes per week being physically active in specialist-led (40 min) and teacher-led (33 min) physical education classes than in control classes (18 min). After 2 years, girls in the specialist-led condition were superior to girls in the control condition on abdominal strength and endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance. There were no effects on physical activity outside of school.
*So the only real result was that the girls had more physical strength as a result of the increased physical activity but no result on academics?
CONCLUSIONS: A health-related physical education curriculum can provide students with substantially more physical activity during physical education classes. Improved physical education classes can potentially benefit 97% of elementary school students.
CONS: *How well could every child's physical activity be controlled? Also this article does not really state what the exact purpose of increasing the child's activity was? The study does not explain how it benefits 97% of elementary students? Is it just physically or just general in life?
J F Sallis, T L McKenzie, J E Alcaraz, B Kolody, N Faucette and M F Hovell (2008) American Journal of Public Health. The effects of a 2-year physical education program (SPARK) on physical activity and fitness in elementary school students. Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids. 9 September 2008. http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/8/1328
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated a health-related physical education program for fourth- and fifth-grade students designed to increase physical activity during physical education classes and outside of school.
METHODS: Seven schools were assigned to three conditions in a quasi-experimental design. Health-related physical education was taught by physical education specialists or trained classroom teachers. Students from these classes were compared with those in control classes. Analyses were conducted on 955 students.
RESULTS: Students spent more minutes per week being physically active in specialist-led (40 min) and teacher-led (33 min) physical education classes than in control classes (18 min). After 2 years, girls in the specialist-led condition were superior to girls in the control condition on abdominal strength and endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance. There were no effects on physical activity outside of school.
*So the only real result was that the girls had more physical strength as a result of the increased physical activity but no result on academics?
CONCLUSIONS: A health-related physical education curriculum can provide students with substantially more physical activity during physical education classes. Improved physical education classes can potentially benefit 97% of elementary school students.
CONS: *How well could every child's physical activity be controlled? Also this article does not really state what the exact purpose of increasing the child's activity was? The study does not explain how it benefits 97% of elementary students? Is it just physically or just general in life?
J F Sallis, T L McKenzie, J E Alcaraz, B Kolody, N Faucette and M F Hovell (2008) American Journal of Public Health. The effects of a 2-year physical education program (SPARK) on physical activity and fitness in elementary school students. Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids. 9 September 2008. http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/8/1328
Monday, September 8, 2008
9/3 Learning Log Ed Research Ch. 1....
This week in class we discussed research in educational psychology.
What? (Why is it important?) Understanding different ways of research including descriptive, correlational, experimental, and action can help us teach our students by offering us knowledge on past experiments/research so that we can better our teaching techniques.
So what? Dividing into groups and using different examples in our classroom really helped me to understand the different research methods. Just reading about it in the book was not enough but putting examples together helped to bring it together. Also, showing the pros/cons and different ways of assessment for each method helped me to understand how it could benefit me as a teacher.
Now what? (How it can be applied) Knowing about the different methods of research will help me as a teacher to understand studies/experiments and even to conduct some of my own. I learned that you can eliminate a lot ethical bias if the research is done over a longer period of time.
What? (Why is it important?) Understanding different ways of research including descriptive, correlational, experimental, and action can help us teach our students by offering us knowledge on past experiments/research so that we can better our teaching techniques.
So what? Dividing into groups and using different examples in our classroom really helped me to understand the different research methods. Just reading about it in the book was not enough but putting examples together helped to bring it together. Also, showing the pros/cons and different ways of assessment for each method helped me to understand how it could benefit me as a teacher.
Now what? (How it can be applied) Knowing about the different methods of research will help me as a teacher to understand studies/experiments and even to conduct some of my own. I learned that you can eliminate a lot ethical bias if the research is done over a longer period of time.
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