Discussing No Child Left Behind, Good Teaching, and Cognitive Development
Chapter 1 Reflection
Upon reading this first chapter, I was drawn into the reading specifically because of the statistics that were discussed towards the beginning of the chapter. I was captivated by the small section of the No Child Left Behind act. When I first decided to become a teacher, I always believed that no child should ever be left behind no matter what the circumstances may be. It’s very important for all teachers to have some sort of idea as to what the No Child Left Behind act is. Agreeing with the characteristics mentioned that would represent good teaching or an effective teacher, I fully agree with the fact that teachers should be committed to their students, confidence motivators, and accommodators to their lessons to suit their students needs.
When the chapter flowed into the topic of research methods and studies, I had to read slower to ensure that I understood everything that I was reading. I heard of most of these studies in a Child Psychology course that I took, but some of these studies I did not ever hear of. Before reading this chapter, I did not hear of ethnography or qualitative/quantitative research. The type of research that I could see myself even participating in, in the future would be action research specifically because I would like to be a part of a study that revolves around actively engaging students into something and being observed in the process.
Chapter 2 Reflection
Chapter 2 was more complex than Chapter 1 and this was because all of the information in Chapter 2 related to the broad topic of Cognitive Development. Prior to reading, I had a sense of knowing that cognitive development revolved around thinking and reasoning. I also like how nature and nurture was once referred to as maturation and interaction within the environment.
I had learned about Jean Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development previously, but this reading really enhanced my understanding and provided a clear explanation of what occurs throughout the four stages. I did not know that Piaget had generally focused around the aspects of equilibration. I used to think that Lev Vygotsky’s theory was only another version of Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development, but while I was reading, I learned that Vygotsky added a socio-cultural twist to his version of the Cognitive Development theory. Vygotsky firmly believed that social interactions were the primary source of cognitive learning. I agree with Vygotsky in this sense because children learn from one another as well as from other’s mistakes. Children often mimic others and although this may seem annoying or a way to taunt each other, the children are actually learning.
Chapter 2 was more complex than Chapter 1 and this was because all of the information in Chapter 2 related to the broad topic of Cognitive Development. Prior to reading, I had a sense of knowing that cognitive development revolved around thinking and reasoning. I also like how nature and nurture was once referred to as maturation and interaction within the environment.
As a teacher, how will you react when your principal and fellow teachers discuss last years test results at your first staff meeting?
As a teacher, I would probably feel nervous or anxious when I would hear that the principal and fellow colleagues were discussing last years test results at my first staff meeting. It could mean anything. It brings anxiety to me while I just sit here thinking about it. Test results could be mind blowing or frowned upon depending on what the results specifically state. It's difficult to necessarily say how I would react upon walking in during that first staff meeting.
What will you do if your students don't meet their annual yearly progress goals?
If my students do not meet their annual yearly progress goals, I would be astonished and perhaps disappointed in myself as an effective teacher. After getting through a brief disappointment phase, I would be determined to doing whatever I could to make improvement either with my teaching styles, with my curriculum strategies, or just the way that I approach certain topics. Some topics may need to be taught with more detail compared to others.
How will you work within the constraints that standardized testing puts on your job?
I would work to the best of my ability while working within the constraints that standardized testing puts on my job. The aspects and concepts of standardized testing creates a lot of stress for teachers, but I would always work the best that I can to ensure success for my students.
Did you know that "teacher involvement and caring is the most significant predictor of a student's engagement in school from 1st through 12th grade?"
In the classroom setting, I agree that the teacher is an important role, but outside of the classroom is an entirely different story. Children need the support from the outside world like their parents, guardians, friends, etc, to be successful in education. When the children are in Elementary school, they need support at home to continue with learning like reading, writing, and counting. In High School, teenagers are often thinking about a million other things besides school, so they need all the support that they can get to succeed.
What impressed you the most? What are your "take aways" from the speech?
The factors that impressed me the most about this short film was when Rita brought up how important relationships are using her own personal examples. I will always think about how important relationships are especially because of this woman in this video. She is a remarkable person and now a new inspiration to me as a future educator.
