September 23...Why Take Precious Teacher Prep Time for a Class Like Ours?
Great work on Wednesday...y'all dug in and talked through the big ideas in Knight-Abowitz and Stitzlein's argument about why public schools matter and what the public part is all about. With your comment to this post, please take a little time to think about where this kind of work fits into a teacher preparation program. Obviously, learning to become a teacher requires developing skills and methods to teach well as well as teh cultivation of content knowledge. So, does/how does thinking about the purposes and contexts of education contribute to learning to be a teacher? Note: Of course, I am on record as believing that this work does matter very much, but you don't need to agree with me...
Personally, I feel like this class is one of the more important ones that I am taking for my Early Childhood Education and Teaching Degree. At community college, I took a lot of classes on how to teach. They all helped to grow my knowledge and ultimately become a better teacher. However, all of those classes only answered the question of “how” and not the “why.” To me, this class answers the “why.” Why should I be teaching? Why is this one of the most important jobs I could do? The knowledge of “why” this class has given me will carry me throughout this difficult career. When I can’t get through to a student, when they don’t want to listen, I just have to remember why teaching is so important to me and the world around me.
ReplyDeleteI think by reading and discussing all these articles really get us to think about and open our mind to other point of views of education. Education is always changing or trying to change and I think it's important to see how others are trying to reform education. As a future educator I feel like its good to read up and see the different types of schools out there and how they work and how over time people tried incorporating change into it. This class really gets you thinking about education, I'm glad it's not like a "normal" class in where we test about readings we read, rather that we discuss it amongst others, it's great to be able to hear how others are thinking as well.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe it is very important to take class time to discuss ideas further than just the viewpoints within the readings; for college and elementary school students alike. It develops the ability to think critically, ask questions, provide differing opinions, and develops stronger relationships between students and teachers. I think there's a lot to be said for a teacher who cares about more than just the curriculum and takes the time to get to know each of their students personally. Students can learn a significant amount from their peers because it is much more interesting than being "lectured" by an adult. I think it creates dialogue for children to really engage with the material in an interactive way.
ReplyDeleteIn order to learn how to be teachers, we must learn how to ask questions to our students that provide context for a thoughtful discussion. Creating open ended dialogue can be tricky because it requires the teacher to keep the discussion on topic and relevant. Personally, I find it difficult to solely read a chapter in a textbook or powerpoint about a specific theory or style of teaching and then apply it within my classroom. I find it much more helpful to discuss the philosophies of education and bounce ideas off one another to get a better understanding of the real world application. Then I could see how it would fit within my classroom. The articles we've read so far in this class have really opened my mind to the importance of public education and the ways in which we could improve the system. These classes create dialogue that may change the way a teacher runs their classroom because they have a deeper understanding of the need to create a learner and not just a student who can pass a test.
I think that it is important for educators, or those who wish to become educators, to take a deep look at the foundations of education and various factors surrounding the topic. Like mentioned, it is incredibly important for teachers to be knowledgeable and have an understanding of effective teaching methods for their classes. However, it is equally important for teachers to be passionate about educating and also be aware of the true purposes of education, as opposed to solely getting students to complete assignments, pass tests, etc. If educators understands the purposes and needs of education, they are more likely to be open to new experiences and perhaps change traditional classroom curriculums or incorporate innovate teaching methods that allow students to gain transferrable skills, develop morality, and perhaps foster intrinsic motivation.
Delete^ above comment was not meant to be a response to someone else's post! it was meant to be an individual comment. :-) sorry!
ReplyDeleteNo prob!
DeleteI think this class and the readings in this class are important for future teachers to read and discuss with other future teachers. For me I never really thought of the different viewpoints of education and what other people think education should be like. I really only listened to what my other professors tell me like "you should do this" and "such and such is wrong." I never really stepped back and thought about all these different viewpoints and why they are important to think about. it's also nice to discuss in class and hear about what other people are thinking instead of being tested on the readings. A class like this gives us students a deeper understanding of why education is important and all these different methods that we can someday use in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am working on a Criminal Justice Degree with a aim of doing something in the legal field. I really enjoy this class because I am learning a lot about real life skills. I feel like, no matter in what carrier you are, teaching is a very important skill to have. You will constantly encounter situations where you have to explain something to someone else. I personally did not know much about teaching, with taking this class it’s helping me learn what is teaching and why we should learn such important skill. The education system is constantly changing on daily bases, especially with the advancement in technology. This class is helping us see different point of views relating to education and the path that education is taking today. This is a wonderful class for those who is main goal is to become a teachers, it helps them see know only what teaching is but also why. And that concept of why, is very important in any career that you choose to go. Knowing why, it helps you be confident in your decision of the career choice your making.
ReplyDeleteThis class does a great job to look at teaching in terms of "a bigger picture". If you're in this program and don't have a big reason to why you want to teach other than 'its fun' then with this class, you kind of do. Taking this class helps to understand that as a teacher, you have more power than you think. The way you address many common issues in class can result in big changes in the product in the long run. This helps to motivate teachers, to do better, in order to provide a next generation of model citizens. It allows you to help people and children, even if it doesn't involve school work at all. It kind of takes you out of the mind set of traditional teaching subjects and forces you to open your eyes to what the world actually is. It probably is one of my favorite class. It helps me fall more in love with the idea of teaching everyday. I switched from biomedical engineering and for a while, I didn't know if I had made the right decision or not. But now I feel like what I'll be doing as a teacher will far exceed in success and productivity than biomedical engineering ever could.
ReplyDeleteI so strongly believe that taking time out of our curriculum for teacher prep for a class like this is SO important. Before taking this class, I never even thought about some of the points of view from which we discuss now. I feel like it is so important to read and engage in other people's work on education and discuss it because you can learn so much about WHY education is so important and WHY it really is that you want to become a teacher. Class discussions about reading have really sparked up a lot of questions I wouldn't have in any normal EDUS class. I also think it is great that we talk about the flaws in the education system and how to work against them, because teachers should definitely be aware of everything going on in their world and I feel like this class does a great job of informing us about what is really out there. It is also great that we learn about different teaching methods, and we can take away a lot of valuable information that will translate into our classrooms one day.
ReplyDeleteMary Kate Harrison - I do not believe any time is being used up in an inapplicable way in our class. There are a lot of aspects to prepping future teachers for the job, but I think that emphasizing the implicit values to education should be one of them. Educators who view their students as utilities to the greater society alone, versus humans capable of change and growth will never see the full success of their occupation. As we have discussed many times in our class, teachers spend more time with children than their own parents do, therefore the responsibility to shape the morality in these kids is shared between them. I am pursuing a degree in social work so I value the importance of human relationships. I think this carries over into the teaching profession because each has a foundation of human connection and fostering empowerment. Or at least, I think that’s how it should be.
ReplyDeleteI think that this class is beneficial to the Teachers Prep program because it helps us discover why we want to be teachers. I’ve always loved working with kids, however it wasn’t until recently that I started to understand why teaching is so impactful. I think that the teaching profession is underrated in that we are preparing the next generation and providing them with the tools to succeed. I think by considering past models, theories and proposals we can understand how we got to where we are today and how to further improve our educational system.
ReplyDeleteThough I am a psychology major, this class offers much vital information on children and their education that it is beneficial in my field. With the information that is given to us in this class having an impact in my field, I know for a fact that this class offers a diverse intel to the education system for teachers. It is important for teachers to know and understand the information they are teaching the students but they also should know how to deliver the content in different ways to the students they are working with and why they are even teaching the content in the first place. For instant, where should the content the teacher is teaching leading the students in their future life. The readings and the discussion we have in this class provide insight to what is education doing here in the first place. It allows rising teachers to view multiple views of the education system and the different purposes and proposes from past, current, and future educational influencers. By allowing teachers to explore through this information, it can give them a since of their own direction in education and permits them to see the purpose(s) of the educational field.
ReplyDeleteI think the readings we discuss and review in this class really made me think about teaching in a broader perspective. I wasn't even aware of how narrow-minded my thoughts about teaching and the public school system were until this class. I appreciate how different each reading is and I enjoy learning about the differences in how people view education because I think it's important to have alternative viewpoints. Through these readings, I have realized already that there is so much more to becoming a teacher than just knowing skills and methods. Knowing the context of education can greatly impact how we decided to approach our students in a way that not only benefits them, but our society as well.
ReplyDeleteLearning about this content is invaluable because, in order to be active members of developing critical thinkers, we need to be aware of the multiple viewpoints that people have about the role of education. Educators are able to develop complex and critical thinkers but there are many parts to that responsibility. Being open to new ideas and ways of teaching can help us as teachers to help our students reach their full potential. We have the ability to provide opportunities for students to be successful, not only in an academic sense, but also in a broader political, social, racial, and economic sense.
ReplyDeleteBefore taking this class, I never even thought about some of the points of view from which we discuss. We learn so much about why education is important. We have been reading and studying some very important and influential people who give us different ways of looking at our education system. By seeing all these different views we can accurately shape our own opinions and form ideas on how we want to be as teachers and what changes we want to make. We are able to develop a deeper sense of purpose through teaching. Ever since taking this class I have felt a lot more drawn to the issues involving education and what I can do to make a change. The main reason I decided to pursue teaching is because I absolutely love teaching but I also want to make a difference in kids lives and I know this class will really help me become the person I want to be. The discussions we have in class provide insight on why education is so important and why our society benefits from it as well.
ReplyDeleteThis class I think not only educated and looks at the "why", but also it allows critical thinking and questions of how the education system is. I believe it gives students who are aiming to become teachers the foundation of it is okay to not settle on how the system is ran. As a psychology major it is expanding my vocabulary and knowledge that I would not have thought otherwise, if I did not take this class. It broadens the horizon on concepts that I thought was just one particular way. This class is beneficial for those who are going into the education field, however I do think it is also just as important for those may not.
ReplyDeleteIn this class it helps me look at things in different ways and to keep an open mind in all different aspects in the classroom. As a special education major, it is very inportant for me to look at things with an open mind so I can see what works best for my students and not stick to one method. One also learns to respect other opinions and sees the differences in everyones point of view.
ReplyDeleteA teachers job isn't just teaching the curriculum it's developing the whole child, something that you can't do without understanding the context in which your students are learning. Teacher preparation programs that don't talk about the purpose and context of education are doing the next generation a disservice by producing teachers that can't teach to every child. It reminds me of the reading we did about how a lot of educational research and curriculum is based on a white middle class box that most students do not fit into. When teacher preparation programs show teachers the context of education, like how so much research is based on white middle class people, they are better teachers for it. They are able to critically think about the system they are teaching in and that environments affect on students.
ReplyDelete-Sophia Groot
There are two main parts with learning how to be a teacher. The first part is being able to learn and grasp the concepts on how to actually teach kids. We'll call this part the technical part. The second part is being able to understand the ethical part to the whole. We'll call this the logical part. If you do not understand the basic concepts on why certain arguments, in the education field, are present today, you will not be as successful in the educational setting. This class is very important to understanding the ethics behind teaching because it allows us to read and comprehend different articles and then debate and discuss with others. The discussions allow everyone to hear different sides and viewpoints which enables everyone to frame an opinion within themselves.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I believe that this class is one of the more important classes for all future educators to take. The readings and the discussions have really helped open mind to things that I haven't really thought about before. I really enjoy learning about the pros and cons of the different ways to teach, the different types of schools, and the history of education. This class is definitely one of my favorite classes.
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Lindsey: I think that contextualization is important within any field of study, but especially for teachers understanding the history of education and different forms of teaching is very influential in figuring out your own personal methods of teaching. This class provides a deeper understanding of how different teaching methods and approaches to education came about. I also believe having a foundation in the history of education and past educational ideas is necessary to be able to make changes within the education system. You can't make changes without fully understanding what it is you are trying to change and I think this class aids in moving towards a holistic view of education, so that changes can be made towards a better educational future.
ReplyDeleteEmma P: This class and other teaching prep programs are important because we can really dig in to why teaching and education is important. The readings we have done in class so far have shown us different people's point of views on these topics. I think that the reading are very informative and the discussions we do in class along with these blog posts prepare us well.
ReplyDeleteBefore taking this class, I had no idea about all the different ideas/perspectives on education. The readings, for the most part, have interested me and the discussions have broaden my thinking. I like that this class makes me feel powerful as a future educator and makes you think about changes you can influence in the education system. This class makes you think critically and look at all perspectives which enhances my understanding. It also helps that our Professor, Kurt, is really passionate about what he's teaching. Overall, I'd say this class does a good job informing us about different teaching methods and flaws in the education system, that will later help you feel more confident in your own classroom.
ReplyDeleteMichelle: This class has given me more of an open eye on education. It has given me more of an understanding and perspective on the purpose of education and where it roots from. Education has always been pushed on me because of my parents. I am first generation, so my parents always have explained the importance to my siblings and I. I used to want to be a teacher and have had opportunities to teach preschool and although, its not something I want to continue as my career, I think its amazing to know that there are people are who are passionate about education. This class also gives me a better understanding for my future children. I also intern for a nonprofit that pushes policy for education and everyone's opinion including the readings really gives me a better perspective on how we can better the education system.
ReplyDeletePreparation and planning are a critical component of effective teaching. Lack thereof will lead to failure. If anything, every teacher should be over prepared. Good teachers are almost in a continuous state of preparation and planning. They are always thinking about the next lesson. The impact of preparation and planning is tremendous on student learning.
ReplyDelete-Nadia
I think this class exists to have us open our eyes and really look at the world of teaching around us. We dive deeper into the history of education and the "why" do we do its. I don't think I have ever thought so hard about what it means to be a educator and the different ways others view teaching as well. It is important to talk about it and ask questions so we have knowledge when thinking about our OWN philosophy of education.
ReplyDelete-Sierra Heath
Taking a teacher preparation course is so important. A lot of people think teaching is just spiting out information and giving out tests. Those who do not really have any interest in teaching don't see that there is so much that goes into being a successful teacher. We have to look at other educators, their philosophies, where different styles of teaching have come from, what the demographic of the students might be, what the school has available, and much more. Just assuming the education system is where it should be and we have no bigger purpose other than just passing out worksheets is not the case. It's also so important to understand that not every student is super eager to learn or in a place where education is their number one priority. Our jobs aren't to just keep track of attendance and grades, but to be a support system and provide a safe and positive environment for growth. I really hope this blog finally posts I've tried 6 times.
ReplyDeleteI think in a lot of cases, when people think about being a teacher or majoring in education, it's as basic and simple as learning curriculum and eventually spitting it back out to your future students. I don't think people really think about the ethics, emotional, and social aspects that go into teaching. I don't even think I was aware of more than the emotional and curricular pieces that go into it. Teacher prep classes are dire and I believe even more necessary than the curriculum based courses. I can easily read a textbook and learn the Math, Science, English, and History that I'll eventually teach my students, but there are things that we talk about in our classroom that I wouldn't grasp and fully understand the importance of by reading about it in a textbook. I think having open-ended discussions in teacher prep course are also important because it's important to see where your fellow soon-to-be teacher's minds are and what you may have in common and may not so that we may learn from each other. Education is about a lot more than just whether or not we know the a slope of an equation or if light travels faster than sound. It's also about the social and emotional aspects that we learn. It's about learning how to be a better person for not just yourself, but also society. Courses like this one make you think about the kind of teacher you want to be, and I find that to be extremely important.
ReplyDeleteI think that being able to read and discuss the work of others with people that want to go into the same field as you is beneficial because it allows you to bounce off ideas from others and develop you own view points on situations better then you can when there isn’t anyone with a opinion different then your own. Using the different articles and reading to prepare our own thoughts and ideas before coming together as a class to discuss them is important because it helps to prepare for something like this even in the real work, like for when you have a parent teacher conference or a meeting with the administration or other teachers about situation that are taking place in your work environment. It is a good idea to be able to argue your view and then come to the best conclusion for that situation. This class is teaching future teachers that it is ok to rely and help one another but also its showing us that it is ok to disagree with one another as so as we can work through the differences to come to the best logical ending possible.
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