What?
As an educator and one who has had experience teaching students from kindergarten to college, Marilee Sprenger recognizes the role of the developing brain in the learning and emotional behaviors of her students. Her most recent book "How to Teach so Students Remember," addresses the way brain structures influence memory in children. In this book she reveals teaching techniques teachers can apply to help their students retain information better (as the title would imply.) Marilee Sprenger has also done research and written articles on the effects of the developing brain in teenagers, and the emotional impact that can have. She suggests that educators take certain measures such as creating an emotional intelligent classroom. By doing this the teacher can allow students to address and appropriately handle emotions in order to facilitate the learning process. She a method contained in the acronym 'me': movement and emotions. Students need outlets for these two areas which Sprenger suggest the teacher provide in things like journals or group activities.
So What?
Sprenger's research and suggestions prove to be useful for educators in any level of education. Her consideration of secondary education students proves useful to me as that is what I will be going into. Her research explores the different parts of the brain and how they are different as young people mature. Along with this research she provides information on how a teacher can deal with those developing brains hidden within teenagers as mentioned above. Personally I can see how providing students the opportunity to move around and convey emotion in class activities would be positive and allow students that outlet mentioned above. Also working to provide an environment of emotional, and social awareness, as Sprenger suggests, Could allow students to address the pressures of teenage life and also focus on academic content.
Now What?
How I will personally use this information in my future classroom seems easy considering my content area. As a Spanish teacher, I can allow students to work in group conversation and other activities therefore allowing them the social experience that relieves some of the tension and stress according to Sprenger. I can also allow them emotional outlets in the form of a journal in Spanish or through other creative activities and projects. I see the importance of Sprenger's research and I believe it does deserve some further investigation which I plan to work towards at my local library.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Educational Research
What?
It is easy for me to say that I learned quite a bit about the four types of educational research through this assignment (especially if you consider the fact that I knew virtually nothing about the topic before). I learned that descriptive does what the name implies, that is describes a situation through data such as percentages. Descriptive research reveals information from which researchers may draw conclusions. A correlational study reveals information that can allow researchers to make predictions based on common conditions that occur among students. A correlational study, like a descriptive study, does not show cause. It merely reveals the facts and allows researchers to interpret those facts accordingly. An experimental study differs from the other two in that it can show cause. It does this by introducing a change into a situation. Researchers than monitor this change to see the effect it has. There are certain requirements for an experimental study to be accurate, or better said more accurate. One such requirement is a control group, or similar group which does not experience the change called for by the experiment. The participants in these two groups also must be chosen at random to lessen the chance of other factors coming into play. These three types of study can be performed by an individual or group of individuals in an educational setting. We could call this an action study. An action study allows a teacher or group to do a study on a class or group of classes. The teacher or researcher in this case would monitor the students to describe the conditions. In the case of an experimental study the teacher would introduce a change and record the conditions before and after the change is made in order to draw a conclusion.
So What?
What all this means is that it is important to pay attention to all the details of studies that have been done in education and to approach them critically looking for any variables that may have been left out. In scientific studies there is a certain level of control that can be maintained by the scientists. The problem (if you want to call it that) then with a psychological study is that you are throwing in one very unpredictable variable: people. When you include people you are including all the emotions, histories and cultural baggage that comes with them. That is why, when conducting or analyzing an experimental study, it is important to try and predict what variables might be at play. It is also important to not jump to conclusions too quickly. The results on the surface could appear to be a quick solution to the question, but there may be other factors at play. It is also important to realize that only experimental studies can show cause and therefore it is not right to do so with say, a correlational study as was done in the daycare example. Another important thing I learned about research, specifically action research is that while the findings may be useful for an individual teacher or school they cannot be applied universally until further studies are done.
Now What?
I still have much to learn about educational research, such as how experiments are best conducted, or how accurate they can be when you consider the human factor. I would also like to learn different ways of conducting an action study and how to record and process the results.
As an educator I plan to use what I have learned and will learn about educational research to correctly approach studies done by others. If I come across a study I feel may be helpful I will do what I can to find out the specifics of the study, and what if any conditions have been overlooked or manipulated. I will also, starting now be more sceptical towards claims published in magazines, on the news etc. until I have analyzed them to see if the results were the product of experimental research and that that research was done correctly.
It is easy for me to say that I learned quite a bit about the four types of educational research through this assignment (especially if you consider the fact that I knew virtually nothing about the topic before). I learned that descriptive does what the name implies, that is describes a situation through data such as percentages. Descriptive research reveals information from which researchers may draw conclusions. A correlational study reveals information that can allow researchers to make predictions based on common conditions that occur among students. A correlational study, like a descriptive study, does not show cause. It merely reveals the facts and allows researchers to interpret those facts accordingly. An experimental study differs from the other two in that it can show cause. It does this by introducing a change into a situation. Researchers than monitor this change to see the effect it has. There are certain requirements for an experimental study to be accurate, or better said more accurate. One such requirement is a control group, or similar group which does not experience the change called for by the experiment. The participants in these two groups also must be chosen at random to lessen the chance of other factors coming into play. These three types of study can be performed by an individual or group of individuals in an educational setting. We could call this an action study. An action study allows a teacher or group to do a study on a class or group of classes. The teacher or researcher in this case would monitor the students to describe the conditions. In the case of an experimental study the teacher would introduce a change and record the conditions before and after the change is made in order to draw a conclusion.
So What?
What all this means is that it is important to pay attention to all the details of studies that have been done in education and to approach them critically looking for any variables that may have been left out. In scientific studies there is a certain level of control that can be maintained by the scientists. The problem (if you want to call it that) then with a psychological study is that you are throwing in one very unpredictable variable: people. When you include people you are including all the emotions, histories and cultural baggage that comes with them. That is why, when conducting or analyzing an experimental study, it is important to try and predict what variables might be at play. It is also important to not jump to conclusions too quickly. The results on the surface could appear to be a quick solution to the question, but there may be other factors at play. It is also important to realize that only experimental studies can show cause and therefore it is not right to do so with say, a correlational study as was done in the daycare example. Another important thing I learned about research, specifically action research is that while the findings may be useful for an individual teacher or school they cannot be applied universally until further studies are done.
Now What?
I still have much to learn about educational research, such as how experiments are best conducted, or how accurate they can be when you consider the human factor. I would also like to learn different ways of conducting an action study and how to record and process the results.
As an educator I plan to use what I have learned and will learn about educational research to correctly approach studies done by others. If I come across a study I feel may be helpful I will do what I can to find out the specifics of the study, and what if any conditions have been overlooked or manipulated. I will also, starting now be more sceptical towards claims published in magazines, on the news etc. until I have analyzed them to see if the results were the product of experimental research and that that research was done correctly.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Course Contract
My first and main goal for this class is to get a better understanding of the different learning styles that exist so that in the future I can apply that knowledge when I teach. Also I hope to get and keep record of several ideas of lessons and activities that would appeal to different learning styles so that the subject matter I teach gets through to a greater number of students, not just those with learning styles that are similar to my own. Another goal I have for this class is to stay on task and not put things off until the last minute. By doing this I hope to get a better over-all understanding of the course material, not just enough to do well in the class but understand the material enough that I can apply it to my teaching.
My weekly preparation plan will involve a time set aside each day (Monday through Friday) to work on the assignments that are given. On Monday after class I will review what we learned about in class that day and make a plan of how to best accomplish the assignments that are given and the time that will be needed to do so. I will divide the weekly reading assignment up over three days (Tuesday-Thursday) then spend Friday and Saturday if necessary reviewing the notes and study guides. I plan to approach other assignments in a similar fashion. Monday I will look over the assignment guidelines and acknowledge any questions I may have or things I do not understand. It will be easier to determine how to divide out my time when I get a better feel of what the assignments such as the case studies will be like. I do have the goal of having the assignments done by Friday so that I can review or revise on Saturday if I need to.
My weekly preparation plan will involve a time set aside each day (Monday through Friday) to work on the assignments that are given. On Monday after class I will review what we learned about in class that day and make a plan of how to best accomplish the assignments that are given and the time that will be needed to do so. I will divide the weekly reading assignment up over three days (Tuesday-Thursday) then spend Friday and Saturday if necessary reviewing the notes and study guides. I plan to approach other assignments in a similar fashion. Monday I will look over the assignment guidelines and acknowledge any questions I may have or things I do not understand. It will be easier to determine how to divide out my time when I get a better feel of what the assignments such as the case studies will be like. I do have the goal of having the assignments done by Friday so that I can review or revise on Saturday if I need to.
To assure that I understand the material I will apply some of the strategies listed in the 4 Rs handout. I will preview the material and come up with any questions I may have. I will make stopping points often so that I can evaluate whether or not I really understand the material. I will also set aside time, not page numbers, so that I am more focused on understanding than getting through the material. Another strategy will be to take notes on the reading and review them at the beginning of the next study session.
If I do not understand a topic I will first go back and re-read the material carefully looking for key definitions and case examples of the topic described. If I still don't understand it I will look towards outside sources such as credible websites and classmates. Then if after consulting these sources I still don't understand I will make an appointment to see Dr. Cox.
I will reach my goals in this course by holding myself accountable and reviewing this contract often. I will also be open to changing the strategies and plans I have listed above if I feel that my goals could better be achieved in a different way.
I will reach my goals in this course by holding myself accountable and reviewing this contract often. I will also be open to changing the strategies and plans I have listed above if I feel that my goals could better be achieved in a different way.
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