Education is like a bicycle

Education is like a bicycle. In order to ride a bicycle you need it to have training wheels. This is like the beginning of school. You have so many people helping you out with your education, your teacher and parents/guardian, especially in elementary school, and they are your “training wheels.”  Once you feel okay riding the bicycle you take off the training wheels, but you’re still a little shaky while riding the bicycle. This is like going into Middle School.  You now are not depending on your parents or teachers for as much help as you needed in elementary school with the “training wheels” but you still seek them out at times for help. Then you feel stable and are a lot better at riding the bicycle, which would be like entering High School. You are now more independent, you don’t need you parents or teachers reminding you to do homework or school work because it’s your responsibility and no one else’s to get it done.  Three things I have learned more about are the various types of curriculum, various philosophies and the teachers roles.

What is Pragmatism and how is it used in education?

What is Pragmatism?

Pragmatism is a school of philosophy, which was leading in the United States in the first quarter of the 20th century.

Pragmatism is a philosophical movement that gave a first systematic expression by Charles Sanders Peirce and William James and later taken up and transformed by John Dewey.

Pragmatism is based on the principle that the usefulness, workability, and practicality of ideas, policies, and proposals are the criteria of their value. It stresses the main concern of action over principle, of experience over fixed principles, and it holds that ideas borrow their meanings from their consequences and their truths from their verification. Therefore the ideas are essentially instruments and plans of action.

How is Pragmatism used in education?

The American educational system is founded on the foundation of pragmatism. The outcome based education is an ever present saying that’s connected with modern schools. The Goals 2000 program had described some very good goals or outcomes for education. This definitely ensured that all children are ready for school, had a higher rates for the high school graduation, and  had expecting competency in challenging subject matter are excellent goals. This makes it clear that the philosophy of pragmatism, devoid of objective moral standards, is a major philosophy guiding much of our nation. 

I think pragmatism being used in the classroom is useful. It's a hand's on curricula, group work and experimentation which gives many ways for the student to understand what is being taught to them. It was what the educational system was founded on therefore it's important to have in the classroom.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/473717/pragmatism

INCLUSION

Are their cons in having inclusion in the classroom?

I always thought inclusion is a great idea in the classroom because students with disabilities will feel more of a part of the school community and  they feel like they belong among their peers. What I found out was that inclusion isn't always the best for a child with disabilities. Putting these students into a mainstream classroom can make the student frustrated because they might feel as though they are competing with the other students. Also the classrooms are bigger than what they are used to and their isn't enough time spent on a subject for the student who needs repetition and review and they might feel intimidated to ask the teacher questions because they might think that they will be judged by their peers. Having inclusion can make the students with the disabilities rush through their work, where they usually would not, because they can see that everyone around them is finished. 

Another setback of having inclusion is that the teacher can lack the training, resources and necessary supplies to adequately teach these students with disabilities in their classroom. Learning disabled students can also not feel like they fit in with the other students in their classroom. Teacher time is taken away from other students and the teacher has to take even more time while making their lessons so that the lesson will include the student with learning disability. The classroom management can also be harder for the teacher because of having more students in their classroom. Overall, having inclusion of course has its pros, however there are cons with having an inclusion classroom.

http://www.slideshare.net/DeeARoss/cons-of-inclusion-education
 http://xruffrydr9.tripod.com/inclusiontherightanswer/id18.html

Gender Bias in schools

  

In today's society would you say there are gender biases? In my opinion indeed there are, whether people want to believe it or not. Gender bias in education is a risky problem that causes very few people to stand up and take notice. Students of the gender biases have been taught through years of schooling to not speak up and to be submissive when the biases occur. They then are reluctant to stand up and say something about how unfair their treatment is that they are receiving by the teachers.
In our text book it does state that during the elementary years both genders are equal, however by the time they reach middle school that seems to change. Girls are doing better on reading and writing tests whereas the boys are doing better in math and also doing better on their self-esteem. This of course could possibly be due to discriminatory treatment because of someone’s gender. Having the socialization of gender in schools assures that the girls are made aware that they are not equal to the boys in the school. According to Woodward boys are 12 times more likely than girls to talk in class and five times more likely to get the teacher's attention. Why is that? They say it is due to the girls having a low self-esteem.

 

Even with these bias that boys are called on more and the teachers give more praise to the boys when answering questions girls stay in school longer, cut classes less than boys, and on average earn better grades than boys.  Even though boys usually do better on the math and science tests, the girls score higher than the boys on reading and writing tests. The girls also take more academic classes than boys do and the girls are more likely to graduate high school and attend college.

According to a mother her daughter (who is in Middle School) was sent home for her shorts being only 1/2 an inch too short, but the boys are allowed to look like slobs with their underwear showing and a girl will be sent home for just 1/2 an inch too short? How is that fair? Boys seem to get away with a lot in terms of what they are wearing to school. Girls on the other hand if your bra strap just happens to show or in the woman’s daughters case her shorts being a tad too short is ridiculous. 
Gender biases are not just for girls, boys also are being affected in a negative way with these biases. According to the text, teachers believe that boys are more active, less attentive, less dexterous, and more prone to have behavioral, academic, and language problems than the girls are. Also, boys more than girls, are identified with learning disabilities and mental retardation. Gender bias should be prevented, although it seems as though it would be a tough task to do. How can teachers realize the gender biases and try to prevent them from happening in their classrooms?   



http://www.momlogic.com/2009/06/gender_bias_in_middle_school_charles_orlando.php
http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/papers/genderbias.html
http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/gender-bias-in-education

Bullying in School

Bullying in school is a major issue going on. There are different types of bullying such as verbal, physical, indirect, social alienation, intimidation and cyberbullying. However, this issue is not new whatsoever it has been going on forever, but now being taken more seriously. Why is it being taken more seriously now then back then? Well now students are bringing in weapons to school, children are committing suicide or thinking about it because they are being bullied. Those are extremely serious issues and something needs to be done about it.

These victims of bullying are usually children who are labeled as “nerds”, have insecurities, and lack a circle of friends. Also, bullying peaks during middle school years and tend to decline in high school. There has been a study that had shown that 60% of bullies during 6-9^th grade had eventually got in one criminal conviction by the age of 24. That shows us that it is a huge problem that creates later consequences and something has to be done to stop it and to stop these bullies as soon as possible.

I believe that bullying can be prevented in schools. If the teachers and staff became more aware of what is bullying and stepped in when someone is being bullied I think would make a huge difference.  Students should not have to live in fear of going to school, this should be a place where they feel the most safe yet for many it's a place they fear to go to due to bullying. I believe if maybe they use the guidance counselor for example(which would save on money for the school) as a person students can confined in if they are being bullied will help with the prevention of it. Overall, bullying is a major issuing going on in schools on a daily basis and something needs to be done to prevent it from happening.

Websites:

http://www.stopbullyingnow.com/support.html

            http://www.bullyinginschools.com/Stop-Bullying.html

Why Teach??

There are various reasons why people want to teach. Everyone does have different views on why they  decide that they want to go into teaching children. For instance, on the website http://www.helium.com/items/1058530-why-do-teachers-want-to-teach it had stated a great reason which was that people want to teach because it is a rewarding experience for us. I liked that it had said how teacher and student will benefit from one another because that is a great reason to go into teaching. I personally want to teach because I love the fact that they are learning something new from me! I'm molding the minds of the future which is nuts to think about! I also believe it's very rewarding to see the students faces when they get something right or understand what is being taught to them. 

People want to teach because of the love they have for children according to the website http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/143527/5_reasons_why_people_become_teachers.html. Teachers usually do not care about how much they are going to make, or how far they will go in their career  or even where they stand in their social status. All they care about is teaching their students. Many of the children will benefit from having teachers who love kids. Another reason why people teach is the humor you get on a daily basis. If you're not able to laugh during your job, what's the fun? Just like that show "kids say the darndest things," they really do and you will be able to laugh and not be dreading to go to work. In the website http://712educators.about.com/od/teacherresources/tp/teachergood.htm it had said how people decide to teach for the summers off, which I'm not going to lie that is a plus. Also in this website it had said how people want to teach because it is job security. That is so important now a days where a lot of places are laying off a ton of employees. Of course there are probably a thousand reasons why people decide they want to teach but those are just a few!

Hey, my name is Amanda! I am a super senior at Salem State graduating finally this May. History and Education are my two majors.  I've always known since I was little that I wanted to become a teacher, although at the time I did not know exactly what grade I wanted to teach. Once I came to Salem State, five years ago, I realized I wanted to teach middle school. Everyone that I tell that I want to teach middle school say I'm crazy and that it's the worst age to teach. But I disagree. I've substituted in middle schools in Lynn (where I am from) and I absolutely loooove it!! It feels right, haha. I mean of course I haven't had perfect behaving children, but that's expected in every grade. I just can not wait to have my own classroom and to see students faces when they learn something new!

A few things about myself...I love to sleep! hang with my friends and with my boyfriend. I love the beach and driving aimlessly in the summer blasting music, which I can not wait for. I currently work at a hospital, which is an educational and interesting job. People tend to think that because I work at a hospital I am going to school to become a nurse, which is not true obviously, I just took a job to make money! Well enjoy my blog!