Response to Discussion 2

Discussion Question: Think about your own personal experiences with identifying similarities and differences, both in school settings and in real life. Using these experiences as examples, explain why you think that the act of identifying similarities and differences can have such a positive influence on learning.

Please respond to each one with at least 100-150 words.

Jarvalyn

With thinking about similarities and differences, I instantly think about ways to relate to my children. All children have various backgrounds, and they each are unique. Most times, students consider teachers to be 'perfect in what they do, their life, and the many accolades they have accomplished. Students often feel like teachers have no flaws or they have higher standards. Often in my lessons, I give students real-world connections. I love when I hear those 'ahh or ohh' moments. It is like a light bulb flashes within them. For instance, this week we're covering "Evaluating Arguments." Students presented with the argument, 'should students wear uniforms. Why or why not?' Instantly, students were eager and ready to explain why they feel like uniforms are unnecessary. So, I raised many questions like 'who all have siblings in this school district.' More than half of the class raised their hands. Immediately I posed to statement about my mother being a single parent with four in one household, and we all were in school. I had reasons to back up why I was for uniforms. In the room, students' mouths dropped, and they all began to become very aware of how their parents feel. Especially, from a single-parent household like I am. Immediately, I made a connection with my student on a deeper level.  Open-ended experiences allow students and teachers to build a bond. Not saying they will not happen during other specific instruction, but it engages students on different levels. Students began to be accustomed to 'enjoying' the lesson and classroom rather than dreading it. Most students have behavioral issues that are sometimes hard to deal with. Instantly, when redirecting them, I give them a sense of what it should look like and what could happen when it changes. Immediately I would ask them what profession they hope to have one day. Most of them said, teacher, lawyer, military, nurse, etc. Not one student called out a job that did not require discipline. Their mindsets began to change, and they respond, 'Miss Appleberry you care about us.' Let's say, 6th graders, are hitting puberty harder than imagined. 

Latoya

When one thinks of their own personal experiences in the school setting and in real life there are some similarities as well as differences. In the school setting one adapt to being able to learn quickly in Math, while others may struggle.  Although it may have been easier for some learners and harder for other learners we often think why?  When we think of similarities and differences we think of things that are similar and what is different with fast learners’ vs. struggling learners. With fast learners it may their environment out of class, whether the student is studying that extra thirty minutes per day while the struggling learner may not.

 “Research has shown the ability to break a concept into its similar and dissimilar characteristics allowing students to understand (and often solve) complex problems by analyzing them in a more simple way.”  “When teachers use different graphs or some sort of similar forms to compare and contrast it gives students a deeper understanding and the ability to apply knowledge.” Direct Instruction is the best method when teaching students and often using similarities and differences. For example, when teaching a World History unit plan, one may contain a subject on global reactions that may include immigrants. The students may have to write down similarities and differences that fall within immigration vs. non-immigrants. The teacher may start the class off with modeling a T-chart to demonstrate to students so they can get a good understanding to complete the assignment given. Demonstration in the classroom is very beneficial.

Susanna

Identifying similarities and differences is a skill that I use everyday, whether I am aware of it or not. In my personal life use it to make the time go by on my long commutes by observing car models. I also use it to determine how my day went by comparing it to the last day I had. When at school, I use it to determine how to help my students by seeing that most of them seem to learn this way while this one or two learns differently. In addition to that, I myself learn by finding out how things relate to each other, especially in the science world. Take Mitosis and Meiosis for example. One is cellular division to help organisms grow and heal, and Meiosis produces the cells that make reproduction happen. 

Learning the skill of differentiating between things, as well as determining how they are the same is a valuable and helpful skill. Students who are able to apply this skill will learn things quicker and understand concepts and ideas. The learning process becomes fun when you are able to succeed and understand the material that is being taught - this is what can bring the positivity into the learning process.