If the child is not learning the way you are teaching, then you must teach in the way the child learns" - Rita Dunn
This quote exemplifies the major belief I have about education. A reform in our educational system is needed to happen in order for teachers to have the freedom and training to teach the way children learn. I plan to be part of that reform by being in my own community. I am determined to change the way our education system is set up. If we have a small group of people in each community affect this change, I believe it will grow and change our country!
I am very pleased that the courses at Walden encourage this type of thinking. In both of my classes I have been encouraged to look at things from a different perspective and to think outside of the box! I look forward to what I will learn in the future!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Intelligence Testing
Having been a middle school teacher for the last four years I am firmly opposed to studetns taking one test a year to determine their knowledge learned, intelligence, and chance for success in school. The standardized test in Texas is called the TAKS test. Teachers are given a list of TEKS to teach and are basically left in the dark on what the content of the test will be. A small group of people take these TEKS and manipulate the information into, sometimes, tricky questions. This is directly contradictory to the way I was taught that teaching and testing should take place. Harry Wong states "The test should not be a mystery." I feel the standardized testing has just become a tool to find the best 'test takers' instead of a tool to measure intelligence. This system leaves out a very large group of intelligent people who are not being service in our school system.
In my classroom I use a questionnaire, observation and testing to find out each students strengths. I look to Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences to design lessons that meet the learning needs of all students. I then give students a choice of assignments. This way students are able to learn and show mastery in a way that is best for them.
Our system may be better than Germany where it is decided which path a child will take by the time he/she is 10 years old. In the younger grades students are evaluated to decide which one of four types of schools that they will enter. This puts them on a track that determines which type of school they can next enter, and finally, weather they will go to a university or enter a technical field or trade.
Sources:
The Effective Teacher video series by Harry Wong, 1998
http://library.thinkquest.org/26576/schoolpage.htm
In my classroom I use a questionnaire, observation and testing to find out each students strengths. I look to Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences to design lessons that meet the learning needs of all students. I then give students a choice of assignments. This way students are able to learn and show mastery in a way that is best for them.
Our system may be better than Germany where it is decided which path a child will take by the time he/she is 10 years old. In the younger grades students are evaluated to decide which one of four types of schools that they will enter. This puts them on a track that determines which type of school they can next enter, and finally, weather they will go to a university or enter a technical field or trade.
Sources:
The Effective Teacher video series by Harry Wong, 1998
http://library.thinkquest.org/26576/schoolpage.htm
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