Progress Report on Final Project #15

I am doing a multimedia project about the importance of reading to children at an early age and how to read effectively. I am working alone, my schedule makes it difficult to collaborate with others. I have started writing a paper, and I am adding pictures and some sounds to certain parts. At the end, I intend to record me reading over the paper. So far it is going really welll. I am glad we got to pick the topic because doing something that you are interested in makes doing the research and work a lot easier. I have a 14 month old daughter so this topic has personal importance to me. The paper has a lot of research and statistics about the benefits of reading. My goal is to motivate all parents to read to their children regularly. I will also be talking about how to read effectively by changing your tone amongst other things. I'm excited!!

Blog Post 12

Do you agree the system for education needs to change?

Read Obama and Biden's plan for changing education. Do you think it is effective? What are it's strengths? What are it's weaknesses? Does their plan leave anything out? Discuss what you would do different. Do you have any other ideas? What does it mean for you as an educator? http://change.gov/agenda/education_agenda/.

I think that the Obama-Biden plan looks "good" on paper. I feel like they recognize the PROBLEMS in education. BUT, I feel like these are changes to improve the CURRENT system, rather than create a new one. So, depending on which side you are on, determines whether you think the plan will be effective.

For example, they talked about improving the drop-out rate. Their answer to this crisis is "intervention strategies in middle school -- strategies such as personal academic plans, teaching teams, parent involvement, mentoring, intensive reading and math instruction, and extended learning time." But what that doesn't andress is if the CURRICULUM is in fact the problem. Will any changes be made to include all people in the curriculum? Will it benefit all students or will it remain to serve and maintain White privelege? What about technology? Where will it's role be in education?

Obama-Biden also plan on expanding the Head Start program. I think this is a good idea. Not only is it giving students a little extra preparation and foundation to succeed in school, but it also can benefit working parents. This is where I agree with Dr. Strange that the current system does also serve as a "babysitting facility". Sure, students are getting an education (or schooling depending on your point of view) but if kids weren't at school they'd be somewhere else for someone else to watch them while their parents work. This is also evident as Obama-Biden also plan to increase extended care programs.

They are also making strides to give teachers more incentives to teach. They plan on doing a few things, all which seem very broad and open to the interpretation of each particular district:
"Obama and Biden will promote new and innovative ways to increase teacher pay that are developed with teachers, not imposed on them. Districts will be able to design programs that reward with a salary increase accomplished educators who serve as a mentors to new teachers. Districts can reward teachers who work in underserved places like rural areas and inner cities. And if teachers consistently excel in the classroom, that work can be valued and rewarded as well. " Sounds pretty wordy to me. How about a simple pay raise and bonuses for effective teaching?

Overall, I feel that Obama-Biden do recognize the problems. They are attempting to put out a solution to each of the problems too. But again, it raises the question, is our current system fixable? Or should we reform it all together? There are many other things Obama-Biden plan to do. There are a lot of things that I think are extremely positive changes. But againm the underlying issue is 1) Where does technology play a role in education? 2) Is it the current system that needs updating or changed all together? 3) How are we going to address the needs of all students? It could almost be said that the symptoms are being treated rather than addressing the problem But again, this depends on the way you see education.

There are a lot of things that were addressed. But what about the curriculum, technology and implementation of a new, modern way to educate our students?

Additional Assignment 3

Ken Robinson's Changing Educational Paradigms


What do you think is the most important thing Sir Ken Robinson says in this presentation?


Well, it really stuck out to me when he talked about the ADHD issue. I had no idea that it was so prevalent in the south. I think it goes hand in hand with the stereotype that people from the south are stupid. My husband is from Iowa and I've been the butt of many jokes. I also am not sure if ADHD is real or not. If something is boring, it's boring. So you are going to take a pill to make it less boring?

It also stuck out to me that he said people work best in groups and that when you separate people, you are taking them out of their natural learning environment. I could see this being true during discussions. But writing papers, I find it much easier to work alone because I have to really get in the zone and focus.
Is there anything you disagree with in this presentation?

How congruent are Sir Ken Robinson's positions with those which you are being taught in the College of Education. In other words, where is there agreement? Where is there disagreement?

Well, the university (and almost every university) is set up the way he describes. It is just the format of the system. There are CLASSES that don't operate in the traditional matter. But as far as how departments and majors are grouped, it is the same. I hadn't heard his position on education until this semester. Two of my teachers have similiar views. I was totally unaware of this issue/problem until this semester.

What can you do to address the issues Sir Robinson raises?

Well, the debate of "i'm just one person" comes into play here. That is true, but in history it is often that one person that makes a difference. We have the ability to ignite change. If we all helped each other, we could definitely see it in our lifetime. We just have to be sure of what we believe and why. The first step to solving a problem is recognizing there is a problem. So I'd say we are headed in the right direction, if change is what you are after.

What do you think of the presentation? If you had to do a presentation with others like this, what role on your team would you like most to play?
Idea Generator?
Author?
Narrator?
Designer?
Artist?
Sound Effects?
Other?

I really liked the presentation. Having the drawings put to words gave a lot more emphasis and real understanding of the point he was trying to make. It helped me to focus on just the video because not only was I listening, I was also reading and watching simultaneously. I would like to watch more videos like this. If I had to be a part of a group doing this, I would most likely want to be the narrator. I'm a social person. Art is definitely NOT my strong suit. Even my stick figures are ugly. So any art related jobs would definitely be out of the picture.