Learning Theories Comparison

Video Response

I thought it was interesting how the teacher asked for the students' input on the assignments. As a constructivist teacher she put a lot of emphasis on the responsibility of the students in their learning process. She allowed the students' to help decide what assets they should be graded on. She still administered the conversation to make sure the requirements they were choosing were fair and valid. Asking for students' input is an efficient way to get the students more involved in their learning. Evaluating other students' work gives a student time to think about how they would critique their own work. I want to teach Kindergarten, and I think that even at this level a student's input is important. The teacher could have used a behaviorism centered approach to assessment. She could have assumed that the role of assessing belonged to her and the reward of getting at A from her was enough for a student.

Blog 5

Brooke Teegarden 

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was passed in 1965. It provided one billion dollars to improve the education from families living below the poverty line. Today, the act is still used to help impoverished students.  I can see the effect of this act, especially through Title 1. I work at Eisenhower Elementary; their Title 1 workers do quite a bit to add extra tutoring assistance and opportunities to the students. The government funding workers to be placed in Title 1 schools is much needed.

Title IX

Title IX was passed in 1972. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. This means that boys’ and girl’s activities need to be funded equally. Sometimes this may not happen. As a teacher, I need to watch for inequalities in girls’ and boys’ activities. For example, I might see a boys’ sports team but not a girls’ team even though there are girls interested in the sport. At Preble, the boys started a volleyball team after it was seen that the girls had a volleyball team that the boys were not allowed on, yet there were boys interested in playing.  All educational opportunities for boys and girls should be equal.

Individuals with Disabilities Act

The Individuals with Disabilities Act was originally known as the All Handicapped Children Act in 1975.  IDEA began because special education students were often being given a watered-down curriculum. IDEA helps give structure to special education. There are options for special education students: inclusion, partial inclusion or a self-contained class.  IDEA is exceedingly important to teachers and students because of the “ideas” it contains. Special education students’ educations are no less important than the general publics.

Rules for Teachers

Rules for Teachers

Brooke Teegarden

            The rules for teachers from 1915 and 1872 amuse me. They are quite different than our rules now. NEA’s principles are student focused. Their expectations for teachers have the student’s best interest first. For example, stating that a teacher “shall not unreasonably deny the student’s access to varying points of view”, is student focused. The old rules for teachers are based on society rules and are not necessarily student focused. For example, “you are not to keep company with men” is a society rule that does not affect the student.

            However, teachers still have society rules they need to follow. In the past rules, the teachers could not keep company with men because it would have been considered immoral. Today, although we can date and get married, if a teacher were to be known by the community as promiscuous, he or she would be setting an immoral example for the students. Parents and other staff would not want that person at their school.  There are other hidden social rules that relate to the old rules as well. Teachers should not be drunks, or hang out in sketchy areas. Teachers are expected to participate in their community in a positive manner.

            Some of the rules are similar. We don’t have to whittle nibs, bring coal, fill lamps or clean chimneys, but we do have to sweep, and if something spills on the floor, we better be scrubbing it.  And, of course, we teachers still may not loiter in those tainted ice cream shops.

School Climate

School Climate

Brooke Teegarden

            The climate of my elementary school was cheerful, nurturing, and family-like. I was in a school girl scout troop with my closest friends. We had plenty of art and music opportunities. Our principal got to know the students individually. I remember him sitting by my sister and I at lunch at talking to us. We had game days, fake elections, talent shows and plays. Students who were ahead in math got to move ahead to middle school math. The school tried to include something to interest all students.

            The teachers had rules and we respectfully followed them. I can remember only one instance of being reprimanded in elementary school. This was when I ran too far away from the playground during recess. I’m sure there were instances with classmates not following the rules, but overall, we respected out teachers.

            In fifth grade, Red Smith opened and I switched to there. My middle school climate was much the same as my elementary. It was cheerful, nurturing, and family-like. However, at the middle level we did not want the school to be as nurturing as an elementary school. Since Red Smith is K-8 we didn’t have as much freedom to grow up as our classmates at Edison. The climate at Red Smith was protected. All students were allowed to participate in sports teams or musical activities. Try-outs were not allowed in case a student would get hurt.

            We resented being treated the same way as elementary school students. This resentment made the middle school climate at Red Smith slightly conflicting between the students and staff. I think part of this conflict is that my classmates and I were spoiled. We were used to getting our own ways. Coming from Red Smith, I think I can say that.

            The climate at my high school, Preble, was much more open and diverse. This was the first time I ever had more than a few students from another race in my classes. I was not racist, I was simply clueless. The diverse culture at Preble was very beneficial to me. Preble embraced the diversity with things like a unity fair.

            Preble was strict, but only when it needed to be. In general it gave my classmates and I the ability to do as we pleased. They have a culinary arts program, a fantastic music program, a huge tech ed. room, sports, two gyms and a great writing program.

            The  teachers and staff at all of my schools did the best they could to make an appropriate climate for the students. 

Teaching Metaphor

Teaching Metaphor

Brooke Teegarden

    Teaching is like the weather. You can make a prediction for how your day is going to go, but you have to be ready to change those plans in case of rain (trouble), fog (students are unclear of the idea: reteaching), or too much sun (you or the students come up with a lesson that is even better than what you had planned). Sometimes a man in a suit tells you what the weather will be like (the weatherman/principal) but it is up to you as the teacher to make sure your school "climate" is warm and sunny. : )

Educational Autobiography

Educational Autobiography

Brooke Teegarden    

        In high school I was voted “most likely to try to take over the world”, “most unique clothing” and “most likely to write a trashy romance novel”. I can’t speak to the most likely to write a trashy romance novel. I hoped it was because of my top-notch writing skills. However, I loved being voted most likely to try to take over the world. I put determination into my education. I was involved in school clubs such as show choir, student council president, and homecoming court. I was always trying to come up with some immense idea for the school. Unfortunately, my sense of humor being what it is, many of these school ideas were pranks.

            Don’t let my humor fool you. An education has always been a priority. I’ve always had an interest in learning new facts. When I was in high school, I found myself watching National Geographic while my friends watched MTV.  I received only A’s and B’s. I felt quite devastated with myself when I received anything less than an A. I still do.

            I’m a creative person.  This is why I was voted most unique clothing. The creativity transferred to my school projects and I did slightly insane things. At one point, my classmates and I ran out of glue, so, we simply used bubblegum to paste paper onto our poster. As a teacher, my odd way of thinking works well for me. Creative lesson plans get my students attention.

            My educational autobiography is a mess of being creative and over- achieving. I’m hoping these qualities make me a dynamic teacher.