Contempoary Issues in Education @lesha0224-blog - Tumblr Blog

There is no substitute for hard work.

Thomas A. Edison

Check Out These Kids!!!

Get Down and Dirty

It seems as somehow the “American Dream” has grown to only consist of having professions such as becoming a doctor or lawyer but dismisses the realistic jobs that are necessary to the comfort and success of our country. Somewhere along the line, Americans have been taught that there is an easy way to become successful, and that being happy means sitting behind a desk, I disagree with this notion. From my personal experience, there is nothing more fulfilling than working hard for something then enjoying the fruits of your labor. One could argue that the rapid increase of technology in schools is contributing to making our children stupid, decreasing their motor skills, and lowering the use of their metacognition applications.

I believe encouraging students to explore vocational and trade opportunities is not only beneficial to the student but also to our society. It is unhealthy for our culture to look down on blue collar jobs, especially since everyone lives in a home structure that generally includes light, heat and plumbing. Students should be taught that the concepts behind “hands on” jobs are not necessarily simple and require a strong level of understanding and comprehension the same as college prep jobs.

From my experience professionals tend to look down on careers that don’t require a suit and tie however, I question if these experts would be able to do the same hands on jobs if required. After several years of sitting through lectures, writing papers, and taking test, can these professionals fix their hot water heater or even install a ceiling fan? The ability to create and maintain the comforts of our American society is very admirable and surely deserves more respect than it currently receives. Encouraging our youth to take pride in working with their hands if they wish to do so is essential to maintaining a balanced society. More importantly students should be aware of these jobs as career options so they do not feel that college is the only path to success.

What is Differentiated Instruction? (by Casey Koschmeder)

Let's Change It Up!

As with many newly implemented teaching concepts, differentiated instruction is imperative to the success of grade school students. Differentiated instruction is an idea that promotes maintaining students interested by making lessons more creative and varying the teaching approach and style. Conflict generally arouses when a classroom teacher puts time and effort into planning their lessons and the majority of students in the class still have a problem understanding the target objective. This is a clear sign that more differentiation should be included in the classroom.

Although there is no clear cut answer as to how teachers should go about creating differentiated lessons, as a future teacher I plan to use students as my inspiration. By this I mean that I think it is important that I understand what music my students listen to, what they watch on television, the latest styles and trends, etc. The idea behind this is that I will be able to make lesson connections to things they are interested in an effort to keep their attention. This strategy will also help my student feel as if I am attentive to their culture, thus making me “cooler” than the average teacher. In my experience, students are more inclined to learn from a teacher that they have built a personal relationship with and who they think is vested in their education specifically.

I understand that differentiated instruction is not as simple as learning the culture of the students in your classroom but it is surely a start. As a teacher I want to know what my students like so that I can meet them half way in the classroom in an effort to avoid the average mundane class atmosphere that most students dread. Initially varying instruction may seem like more work for the teacher, but as students begin to enjoy lessons more and become more engaged in class, the teacher’s job should flow better and create a more seamless relationship between educator and student.

http://www.blackyouthproject.com/2012/04/what-would-happen-if-we-took-youth-seriously/

http://www.kldyouthfoundation.org/index.php?/about/generationAtRisk/

http://homeforhope.ca/2012/07/03/myths-of-homelessness-part-2/

Denzel Washington on High School Dropouts, At-Risk Youth (by PBSNewsHour)

What's Wrong With My Culture?

At risk youth, who tend to be significantly more present in urban settings seem to be continuously misunderstood in our American society. It appears that many educators have a difficulty finding a balance between feeling sorry for these students and/or thinking they are intellectually inferior to their peers. I believe the answer to addressing this group of children lies somewhere in the middle of the two extremes.

When working with at risk youth, I think it is important for teachers to understand that they are only a small portion of the student’s life but they do have to ability to be a strong influence. Teachers cannot “fix” these at risk students, most have embraced a subculture that they enjoy and don’t see how education can enhance their lives. A general education teacher with at risk youth in their classroom should teach as much inquiry based learning as possible as well as show a sincere, natural understanding for the students background. With classroom observations teachers can also grow to understand their students well enough to make suggestions for extracurricular activities or hobbies. I believe a teacher’s ultimate goal should be to educate students so that they can empower themselves. Many of these students have strengths they can use to contribute to our society, but it is up to them to determine how they are used and if they want to use them at all.

Teachers must realize the only person who can save at risk youth in America is the youth themselves. Overbearing and condescending attitudes will only push students’ further away from mainstream society. Instead of trying to dictate and control student’s behavior because you think they are socially mal adjusted, it’s important for teachers to understand that multiculturalism is inclusive of a variety of behaviors. When teachers force students to behave in ways that are not natural to them, it only further expands the wedge between at risk youth and traditional society.

I believe that with concern, acceptance, and honesty, teachers have the capability to reach the subcultures that have shunned from the American educational system. Teachers have to trust that if they incorporate life values in their classroom they will motivate students to step out of their comfort zone into a society that may offer them the opportunity to enhance their standards of living and create stable environments for the families they will make in the future.

Falling Between the Cracks

Having over 10 million students in America that are potentially failing out of school is an unacceptable statistic. As a future teacher, it is important that I understand the rate at which students are mentally checking out of their classrooms and schools. Going into the field of education, I know I have to create lessons that catch my student’s attention and that motivate them to learn.

I believe the primary reason for student disengagement in school is the increase of distractions that youngsters face in today’s society. From my observations students are more interested in socializing primarily through technology and social networking sites, than learning. Although student disengagement is not a new concept, the current generation of students appear to be more distracted than ever before. Today’s students live in a fast paced society that promotes instant gratification and many teachers cannot relate to this new trend. I think it is essential that today’s teachers know what they are up against in regards to their students’ attention. Creating a classroom environment that can compete with the youth’s distractions is a difficult but necessary goal for today’s teachers.

Interferences outside school are not the only reason for lack of engagement in the classroom, I believe there is a group of students who want to perform better but feel as if they are a problem to their teachers because they require additional help. Students are very aware if they have a teacher that is sensitive to their educational needs. Pushing students to the next grade without their fully mastering the skills of the current grade is not a help to students. Teachers who present this attitude in their classroom will only increase the load for the next teacher and lower the confidence of the student.

The combination of both external and internal school disturbances for some students, contributes to the thought that school is the enemy. Today, more than ever, children are less likely to see their teachers as allies and their school as someplace fun and interesting. I think it is important for educators to understand what it takes to keep their students wanting to come and participate in school. I believe this requires meeting students half way by making an effort to understand their rapidly changing culture, creating inquiry based lessons, and sincere concern to inspire young learners.

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