8084 mod 4 discussion 2
Candyy31
8085mod4disRESPONSE.docx4
RESPONSE1
ANGELA NALLS
RE: Discussion 2 - Module 4
Top of Form
Main Question Post
I believe the majority of teachers do their job because they love kids and want to see them grow, learn, and succeed. Often, though, educators are stuck in a box when it comes to how the material is taught or expectations of what a child should know at a particular age. However, if you’ve been in education even for a short amount of time, you know this can be stifling for the teachers, boring for the students, and often disheartening for the parents. We need to exhibit courage and take back some sort of control in doing what is right for the students’ wellbeing rather than what policymakers and district officials that are not in the classroom keep telling us is necessary for student success.
I appreciated what Sir Ken Robinson said about this. He mentions that it is us-teachers, students, administrators-that are carrying out these policies, not the people in office, and that we need to make sure that we are meeting the needs of our students because they are the ones that will be dealing with the repercussions of today’s educational decisions. If we do not prepare them for the future, what does that mean for other generations down the road? He said policy should “create a climate in which innovation is possible and self-determination is encouraged” (Microsoft Partners in Learning (Producer), 2012). Since this video was recorded ten years ago, I would have to say that we have come a long way in how educators use innovation in the classroom and encourage that in some areas for students. Unfortunately, though, I am not sure self-determination is often given a chance to grow. There is so much information we are expected to get into the heads of our children that they do not get the time to struggle and work through problems or scenarios before it is time to move on. I feel as if this is what Doris Fromberg (TED Conferences, LLC (Producer), 2012) was getting at as well. We need to give students (of all ages, although she focused on kindergarten) time to use hands-on materials to solve problems, be creative and innovative, and use their processes as a form of assessment to see where we need to go for planning rather than paper/pencil/sitting in a desk assessments all the time. I would love to say this has changed over the last ten years, and while it has maybe gotten better, for the most part our big data collections are through traditional methods.
I think teachers are in a catch 22. We know what our students need, and we are told to give them an “individualized educational experience”, but then we are judged by particular criteria or expectations handed down from policymakers or district officials. One small example would be from last year. It was suggested that grade levels use school monies to get books to build their classroom libraries. We all know there are a variety of reading levels in every classroom, so we requested books with various reading levels. However, our request for the higher levels (beyond 2-3 grade) were denied. How does that make sense? There are students that are reading well above grade level, but we cannot meet their needs!? I was incredibly perturbed by this, but it happens all the time. So what do we do as teachers? We find a way to make things work for us and our students. Barry Schwartz gave the example in his talk about stonemasons trying to find a way to measure circular columns in Aristotle’s time. They took the idea of the ruler and bent it (made a tape measure) to make it work for them, essentially bending the rule. He went on to explain that “A wise person knows when to bend the rules. A wise person knows when to improvise. And most important, a wise person does this improvising and rule-bending in the service of the right aims” (TED Conferences, LLC (Producer), 2011). While it might take courage to do what is right for your students, even if it means bending the rules somewhat, this is what we are ultimately tasked to do as educators. Taking a step of faith and doing what is best for your classroom might even create change within your school or district. If your methods or ideas are working, an administrator might recognize this and have you share with other teams. They may even share at a principals meeting and you get to collaborate with other schools. You never know where your ideas for the sake of providing a positive educational experience for your students might take you. And even if this does not happen, as long as you see you are making a difference in your student’s lives, that is still a win!
References
Microsoft Partners in Learning (Producer). (2012). Sir Ken Robinson – The role of policy in education [Video file]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMVjEkM3g38
TED Conferences, LLC (Producer). (2011). Barry Schwartz: Using our practical wisdom [Video file]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDS-ieLCmS4
TED Conferences, LLC (Producer). (2012). What kindergarten should be: Doris Fromberg at TEDxMiamiUniversity [Video file]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhpM_jbVopo
Bottom of Form
References
Rosenthall, K. (2021). Leadership as practical ethics. https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/explore-
engage/classroom-resources/ethics-101/0003#main
Schwartz, B., & Sharpe, K. (2011). Practical wisdom: The right way to do the right thing.
Penguin
. Top of Form
Bottom of FormRESPONSE2
Mikal Body
RE: Discussion 2 - Module 4
Top of Form
The following presentations strongly influence my ideas and perceptions about early childhood, education, and schooling. After viewing all the media, I have several takeaways. The importance of educational policy in the government is a significant concern. The need to advocate for children and families is a critical issue that needs to be addressed by stakeholders. Also, I see the benefit of standardized testing but the millions of dollars that testing companies and publishing organizations agree to make. As a leader, due process is critical when maintaining a well-managed facility. Due process ensures that all stakeholders are represented and ensures policy. Due process is an effective way to manage change and support leaders in an early childhood care facility.
The Role Of Policy in Education
In the 2012 Microsoft Partners in Learning media, Sir Ken Robinson explains that he believes that the role of policy in education is to create a climate that generates innovation and self-determination. He explains that although politicians might have good intentions with educational policies; however, they are not the ones who will be implementing policies. Stakeholders, such as parents, principals, and students, are the ones who do the work in education. One takeaway from Robinson (2012) was when he referred to making educational policies customized for the community. I have worked in four different school districts, and I can generally agree that all four communities had their personal and educational strengths and weaknesses. There is not a one size fits all in education policy.
Additionally, Robinson (2012) addresses the need for personalized education and a customized curriculum. I believe this statement portrays courage because the history of education has not changed drastically in the past 50 years. He also expresses that other countries have a model education system that we do not mirror.
What Kindergarten should be:
Doris Fromberg (2012), from Miami University, compare19th-century labor to 21st-century child labor. She explains that children learn through experiences, interactions, and imagination. Research surrounding imagination revealed that children who grew up in an imaginative supportive environment grew up to be adults who are more perseverant and better with connections. Physical interactions are also imperative for spatial awareness that will help them with abstract concepts such as geometry, mathematics, physics, and chemistry later in life. Fromberg explains that in modern society, STEM is highly valued and prompted. However, there are flaws and building strong STEM classrooms.
Kindergarten teachers should show children the importance of determining the link between risk and success. As a result, children will feel competent and can handle setbacks in life. Teachers should monitor students' writings and drawings for assessment purposes. On the other hand, standardized tests categorize students and do not promote learning. Fromberg asks good questions. She asks who benefits from standardized tests. The answer is that global corporations and publishing companies are making millions of federal dollars to create tests. Children would like to please and compile with the expectations of standardized testing. However, some children might revolt and not take standardized tests. She indicates that kindergarten students perform better on standardized testing when their teacher has a background in teaching young children with conditions to learn.
Using Our Practical Wisdom
In the TED talk, using our practical wisdom, Barry Schwartz talks about the collective dissatisfaction regarding how educational institutes are run. Everywhere you look, organizations and facilities let others down. The responses to dissatisfaction are to make more rules and incentives.
In an educational setting, making rules would look like giving teachers a script to teach from as a curriculum. Schwartz explained that if others are not interested in a common interest, it seems as though incentives are luring. For example, teachers are offered bonuses if students score high on achievement tests. Schwartz effortlessly compares financial institutions and the education system. Both heavily rely upon rules on incentives. Desperately, virtue and character are needed in both institutes. Practical wisdom is the will to do the right thing.
Reflections on Early Childhood Program Management
Holly Elissa Bruno explains that if a leader wants to implement change, due processes must occur. The leaders must give the stakeholders notice of the change and a right to a hearing. Bruno (2014) provides leaders on how to implement policy inside of program management to have a successful facility. She gave insight into the importance of due processes and the professional ethics of childcare workers. She talked about how it can professionally be handled if employees do not agree with policies. I thought how she emphasized that listening to employees is a critical part of program management. Having an authoritative versus authoritarian style is a vital component of a leader. Additionally, Bruno (2014) explains that documentation is the key to providing evidence. Putting policies in writing is critical in court cases as a tool in the court system. Most importantly, due process leads to ownership and provides employees with the opportunity to change their behavior.
How to Escape Education's Death Valley
Sir Ken Robinson talks about No Child Left Behind and the irony of the law. The dropout crisis in the US is a critical issue. However, children who are enrolled in schools are still struggling. The culture of education is contradicted, as described by Robinson. He expresses that all children are different. NCLB, however, is based on conformity and not diversity. Although STEM is important, there is a lack of attention focused on fine arts and physical education. Children prosper with various activities that support growth and development. Curiosity is also lacking from NCLB. Teachers are asked to pass on information. However, the art of teaching requires more than delivering information. They need to be mentors and invoke curiosity in children. The role of a teacher is to facilitate learning and testing in most cases. The dominant culture of the teaching profession needs to encompass a huge range of attributes.
References
Microsoft Partners in Learning (Producer). (2012). Sir Ken Robinson – The role of policy in education [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMVjEkM3g38
National Association for the Education of Young Children (Producer). (2014). Reflections on early childhood program management [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9ftoju83fE
TED Conferences, LLC (Producer). (2011). Barry Schwartz: Using our practical wisdom [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDS-ieLCmS4
TED Conferences, LLC (Producer). (2012). What Kindergarten should be: Doris Fromberg at TEDxMiamiUniversity [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhpM_jbVopo
TED Conferences, LLC (Producer). (2013). How to escape education’s Death Valley: Sir Ken Robinson [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX78iKhInsc
Bottom of Form
