Better Learning or Better Learners?

Better Learning or Better Learners?

I read this blog and was intrigued by the questions it's asking. I think it is really important to remember the learner and not just the learning process. I think there are some good points here about how the process of learning has become more important than the actual learner. If we could use different types of asessments to assess a learners strengths I feel they would benefit more.

The struggles of Teaching

After class today I had a million thoughts running through my head. I couldn't stop thinking about everything that goes into being a teacher and not just the planning, lesson plans, IEP's etc., but the political and social part of it too. There is so much going on right now in the U.S. in terms of education. Personally I don't think the entire public school system is awful, but there are some things that do need to change. As time changes new things come out and new versions of books or computers or programs, the fundamentals of teaching need to change along with those things. I also feel that the No Child Left Behind act needs to be changed. Not every student is the same and forcing students to take a standardized test is almost like saying that each student learns and test the same way. I do not think that standardized tests are a good way of testing the knowledge of students. I think hands on activities and projects along with tests can help to assess students knowledge.

Digital Stories

My opinion on digital stories or books is that they are awesome. I think using technology for reading is a great tool. If a story is in digital form and is on a computer or even an Ipod then a student who has difficulties reading can have the story read to them using the technology. I don't see this as an easy way out for a child, but a way for them to learn along with the rest of their classmates. It is an adaption for the student. I recently received a Kindle for my birthday and I absolutely love it. There is really no difference between reading a hard copy of a book and using a Kindle. One thing I do love is that you can make notes within the book by highlighting a page or sentence and making a note. After you make that note it is able to be viewed by all other Kindle users who buy that book. I recently read a book for a class on my Kindle and because other people had read it and made notes I learned some extra information about the story that I wouldn't have if I would have just had the hard copy. I think in the future e-books or digital stories are going to become more prevalent in classrooms. Technology is really changing the way we do everything and this is just another step in that direction.

Technology

In the last few weeks I have been introduced to more technology then in my entire college career. It is really becoming apparent to me how important technology is becoming in schools and how important it will be in the future. I had heard of some of the different technologies there were out there for students to use, but I am actually getting to use them now and experience what they can do. I am finding that these technologies are very helpful and something I will definitely use in the future with my students.