I found interesting the information regarding systematic mistakes in thinking and reasoning, known as buggy algorithms. The chapter states that these mathematical bugs develop when students incorrectly generalize productions when they encounter new problems. The example used in the chapter is that students when working on regrouping tend to subtract the smaller number from larger no matter in which column the numbers are. I think it's important for teachers to keep this in mind and immediately correct the student because students instead of stopping when they don't know what to do, apply their own rules and can make themselves believe that they are doing the work correctly since their computations are producing answers.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Ch10: Content-Area Learning
Testing Editing Update: I liked reading this chapter because it explained some of the differences between general strategies and content specific strategies.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Ch9: Neuroscience of Learning
Pg. 375 Localization and Interconnections
I have always found reading and learning about the brain and how it functions very interesting. First of all, I have to say I'm thankful to God who created me with a full functional brain. : ). Second, I don't consider myself either a left-brained or right-brained individual, because just like the rest of our anatomy, the brain sections are connected and function together, as a whole. Brain functions might be localized, but like the chapter states, the hemispheres work as a group. Application 9.1 gives examples on how to teach to both hemispheres of the brain, stating that for students to successfully learn a concept, both hemispheres must be engaged, content should be combined with context. Which is basically what we've been learning all along in this course, students learn when they are motivated and engaged, when lessons become meaningful to them.
I have always found reading and learning about the brain and how it functions very interesting. First of all, I have to say I'm thankful to God who created me with a full functional brain. : ). Second, I don't consider myself either a left-brained or right-brained individual, because just like the rest of our anatomy, the brain sections are connected and function together, as a whole. Brain functions might be localized, but like the chapter states, the hemispheres work as a group. Application 9.1 gives examples on how to teach to both hemispheres of the brain, stating that for students to successfully learn a concept, both hemispheres must be engaged, content should be combined with context. Which is basically what we've been learning all along in this course, students learn when they are motivated and engaged, when lessons become meaningful to them.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Ch11: Motivation
I really enjoyed reading this chapter. It brought me back so many memories of when I was teaching.
Pg. 460 Hierarchy of Needs
It was interesting to see Maslow's hierarchy of needs. As per the reading the lack of satisfaction of the first four needs (physiological, safety, love/belonging, & esteem) can lead to mental problems. I wonder if it would be ok to satisfy the first two or three needs, since we do need love to be healthy, (physiological, safety, love/belonging) and then fulfill the self-actualization need and then fulfill the need for self esteem. I think it would work out okay, because self-actualization is defined as people being more self-aware, more concerned with their personal growth and less concerned with the opinions of others, so if they were working to fullfilling their potential this would increase their self esteem.
This is hard for me to explain, but I often see students with low self esteem and low self worth, and it's hard to tell what made them feel/think this way or to even get them to explain why they feel the way they do because they worry so much about what others think or might think. I think that it would make a difference in students if they would focus more on their own needs to become successful or fulfill their own potential before they worry about others around them, but how do you that, with the society that we live in that puts so much focus on what others do.
Additional reading
http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/hierarchyneeds.htm
Pg. 460 Hierarchy of Needs
It was interesting to see Maslow's hierarchy of needs. As per the reading the lack of satisfaction of the first four needs (physiological, safety, love/belonging, & esteem) can lead to mental problems. I wonder if it would be ok to satisfy the first two or three needs, since we do need love to be healthy, (physiological, safety, love/belonging) and then fulfill the self-actualization need and then fulfill the need for self esteem. I think it would work out okay, because self-actualization is defined as people being more self-aware, more concerned with their personal growth and less concerned with the opinions of others, so if they were working to fullfilling their potential this would increase their self esteem.
This is hard for me to explain, but I often see students with low self esteem and low self worth, and it's hard to tell what made them feel/think this way or to even get them to explain why they feel the way they do because they worry so much about what others think or might think. I think that it would make a difference in students if they would focus more on their own needs to become successful or fulfill their own potential before they worry about others around them, but how do you that, with the society that we live in that puts so much focus on what others do.
Additional reading
http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/hierarchyneeds.htm
Ch8: Development and Learning
Pg. 350 SES
I often hear people say that students that come from poor families aren't successful because of their socio-economic status or that they won't be successful because of their situation. I wish people would stop labeling others and instead help the students in need to better their situation and in return better their development. I understand that sometimes we can't change everything but every little that we do helps. Sometimes to help the students you have to get the parents involved. I'm sure things change at different grade levels, but me and my team would do house visits when we thought it would help the student.
Pg. 362 Classroom Climate
Speaking of things changing with grade levels, I was surprised to read that after the primary grades praise is not an effective reinforcer. It does makes sense that younger children respond to praise because they want to please adults, but it also makes sense that as they get older they see praise as irrelevant unless it's linked to their progress.
I often hear people say that students that come from poor families aren't successful because of their socio-economic status or that they won't be successful because of their situation. I wish people would stop labeling others and instead help the students in need to better their situation and in return better their development. I understand that sometimes we can't change everything but every little that we do helps. Sometimes to help the students you have to get the parents involved. I'm sure things change at different grade levels, but me and my team would do house visits when we thought it would help the student.
Pg. 362 Classroom Climate
Speaking of things changing with grade levels, I was surprised to read that after the primary grades praise is not an effective reinforcer. It does makes sense that younger children respond to praise because they want to please adults, but it also makes sense that as they get older they see praise as irrelevant unless it's linked to their progress.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ch7: Cognition and Instruction
Pg. 313 Technological Applications
I tried to use the personalized format every time it was feasible when my students worked on Math story problems. I found it made it easier for them to understand the problem. Sometimes I would pair them up and have them act out the problems. They really enjoyed it. I started doing this because even though they could break up the problem with the use of their strategies sometimes they would get the operation incorrect. If they personalized it, it seemed to make more sense since they thought of themselves performing the actions described in the problem.
As for technology integration in the classroom, I believe that even if you have the best of the best hardware/software, if you don't use it, you will not see any benefit. If you want to see benefits/results you have to go the extra mile, by learning the technology, and then modifying it as you go along if you see that it's not functioning the way you expect it.
I tried to use the personalized format every time it was feasible when my students worked on Math story problems. I found it made it easier for them to understand the problem. Sometimes I would pair them up and have them act out the problems. They really enjoyed it. I started doing this because even though they could break up the problem with the use of their strategies sometimes they would get the operation incorrect. If they personalized it, it seemed to make more sense since they thought of themselves performing the actions described in the problem.
As for technology integration in the classroom, I believe that even if you have the best of the best hardware/software, if you don't use it, you will not see any benefit. If you want to see benefits/results you have to go the extra mile, by learning the technology, and then modifying it as you go along if you see that it's not functioning the way you expect it.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Ch6: Constructivist Theory
Pg. 250 Verbalization and Achievement
I was happy to learn that this is used often as a strategy to improve student learning. The last chapter left me wondering if there was something wrong with me since I tend to do this personally, but now I realize that I'm just helping myself understand whatever it is that I'm doing or working on, in essence I'm improving my own learning : ) . Now, I wonder if someone taught this to me and it stuck with me or if it's something that I just started doing on my own.
Pg. 256 TARGET
I found this very interesting. I like it. I did some of these things when I taught, but I don't think I incorporated everything in one single unit/lesson.
I was happy to learn that this is used often as a strategy to improve student learning. The last chapter left me wondering if there was something wrong with me since I tend to do this personally, but now I realize that I'm just helping myself understand whatever it is that I'm doing or working on, in essence I'm improving my own learning : ) . Now, I wonder if someone taught this to me and it stuck with me or if it's something that I just started doing on my own.
Pg. 256 TARGET
I found this very interesting. I like it. I did some of these things when I taught, but I don't think I incorporated everything in one single unit/lesson.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Ch5: Cognitive Learning Processes
Pg. 208 Implications for Instruction
I found interesting that they mentioned the verbalization of thoughts as a problem-solving skill. I personally do this a lot, have always done it, mostly when I don't understand something; however, I notice that people find it strange. I often get asked, "are you talking to yourself again?" I do this because sometimes it makes it easier for me to understand something, I ask myself questions aloud, could be about a project I'm working on or simply when I'm reading. Asking myself questions triggers thoughts about something I previously read and helps me make connections and understand what I'm reading. Sometimes I can't concentrate and reading aloud helps me stay focused.
I found interesting that they mentioned the verbalization of thoughts as a problem-solving skill. I personally do this a lot, have always done it, mostly when I don't understand something; however, I notice that people find it strange. I often get asked, "are you talking to yourself again?" I do this because sometimes it makes it easier for me to understand something, I ask myself questions aloud, could be about a project I'm working on or simply when I'm reading. Asking myself questions triggers thoughts about something I previously read and helps me make connections and understand what I'm reading. Sometimes I can't concentrate and reading aloud helps me stay focused.
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