Chapter 2 Response

This chapter gave me an opportunity to revisit many educational theorists I had not thought about in nearly twenty years. It was interesting and refreshing to read and form opinions on where my educational beliefs lie today. As a Montessori educator for the past fourteen years, I believe my roots are more in line with those of the Constructivist Learning Theories. I especially support the beliefs of John Dewey and Jean Piaget. I agree with Dewey that learning should arise from the students’ interest and that curriculum topics need to be integrated to grasp the whole concept. He supported that all learning should be hands on and experienced based by either working independently or in groups. This is the way I approach learning in my classroom. My co teacher and I work diligently to integrate our subjects. While discussing Ancient Roman history, my co teacher is working with geography concepts on that time period. We are also working and researching the contributions of math, language, and government to our modern society. All students are treated as individuals and their strengths and weaknesses are assessed continuously. While one student is working on basic operations another student may be forging ahead with fraction and decimal work. By allowing the child to move forward at their functioning work level; they develop a sense of pride and accomplishment in what they are learning. Once skills are internalized, the student develops confidence and is able to move forward without frustration on their part. Teachers need to be aware of their students’ sensitive periods of development so all children are learning and absorbing knowledge. As students mature their higher level thinking skills develop as well. Montessori and Piaget are both supporters of the phases of cognitive development and I see it in action everyday within my classroom.

Even though I am a constructivist at heart, I do rely on some directed instruction in working with my students. This is seen through individualized lessons with them to gain knowledge of certain skills. After the lesson is presented I look for various ways to assess their knowledge. My co teacher and I use a combination of assessment formats including projects, portfolios, written reports, and traditional mini assessments. We use the occasional mini assessment to help our student’s transition into a more traditional environment when they leave Montessori.

I believe that technology can be taught with both philosophies as well. Teachers will need to give direction on proper use of the technology and then allow the students to explore and develop their skills. The goal of the integration of both philosophies is the Technology Integration Plan discussed at the end of the chapter. This plan guides the teacher in how to successfully use technology to the benefit of the class. My goal as a Montessori teacher is to learn to integrate more technology within the curriculum without loosing the hands on approach we honor so much. I hope this guide can be a springboard for my co teacher and I in our beginning phase of implementing more technology. I feel that if Maria Montessori were alive today, she would embrace the technological world and encourage Montessori educators to use it within the classroom.

Cultrual Gap in Technology

After reading and absorbing a tremendous amount of information in Chapter One, the one point that struck home to me is the cultural/socioeconomic barrier in technology within the schools. It is true even in Birmingham, Alabama, that many inner city schools do not have the same technology as other affluent schools. For many students, the only opportunity afforded to them to work on computers is at school. Many depend upon the library for outside computer use. It would be wonderful to see more educational dollars dispersed evenly among all school systems; so every child has the opportunity to learn and use the technological resources available today. Not just computers, but all the various forms of technology used in various learning environments. Whether this be in school radio/television production, school newspaper or even the school annual. If given this opportunity, many children would feel a sense of worth and accomplishment in their studies. Secondly, this technology would allow many students to see outside the world they live in; and encourage them to move forward in their studies. This might be the springboard to encourage a student to work hard and pursue that college dream. So it is up to the educators of today to work hard to push for funding at all levels and in all districts so every child is given the opportunity to grow and learn.

Also, it is astounding to believe we live in the 21st Century and girls/women are still considered a minority in technology. As a 40 year old, I see many of my students (boys and girls) embrace technology. Why then do girls grow up and not enter the mathematical/technology field. Is it discrimination? Or is it a lack of interest? I truly hope that it is not discrimination but lack of interest on their part. If so, schools need to find creative ways to engage girls in technology all through school so their interest in entering a technological field is sparked. It would be wonderful if one day a woman was the one pioneering the newest computer, phone, or musical device wanted by the rest of the world.

Hopefully as educators we can work hard to eventually erase these discrimination barriers.

A Stressful Week

This is my second blog entry and I have changed it a little. I chose this color scheme for two reason. First, my youngest daughter loved all shades of pink as a little girl, so it brings back fond memories of her sense of style back then. She is now 16 and would not wear all pink to anything. Secondly, it reflects my days of being an active Delta GAmma at UAB. Hard to believe the years fly by. My 16 year old is now looking at colleges and wanting to be a DG.

This week has been stressful trying to link my blog. I finally succeeded yesterday evening with some guidance. It would post then disappear. I look forward to learning more about blogging and computers this semester.

My students in our classroom have even created a class blog page. How wonderful! They are having fun and did it a lot faster than I did. I guess they will answer questions for me if I need guidance.

Blogging Experience

Tonight was very eye-opening and educational for me. I have finally learned how to create a blog page. This is something both of my daughters do regularly on My Space and Facebook, I think. I found this to be easier than I thought it would be. Yet, I don't know how easy it would have been if I had not had guidance.

Also, setting up my webpage was easier than I thought it would be. The most knowledgeable concept I learned tonight was editing pictures through Desktop by using the paint button. I did not know you could edit pictures this way.

My main concern is that everything saves and that all my names and passwords work on my laptop later this week.