Reflection 10: What have you learned in this class? What is your most valuable experience?

Coming into this class, EME 2040, I was expecting another typical education class, focusing on just the education requirements and lesson plans but it was not was I had expected. There was more to this class. I loved the diversity in what we had learned. The professor was obviously not your typical professor but different. This was a class I looked forward to.
When attending a class you students do not always learn and when I say learn I mean understand what is being taught. Within this class I must say I learned. I was able to understand what we were being taught. The professor taught more by guiding us, giving us what was needed and it was up to us to take that and use it to our advantage, also taking the information and putting our own input. One thing I enjoyed and agreed fully on would be finding out what our educational philosophy. Every teacher has their own educational philosophy. When given mine I did more research and as I was writing my reflection based on this I found myself just being passionate on what I was writing, standing firm in what and how students should be taught. My educational philosophy turned out to be constructivism where students learn best based upon their personal experiences, taking what they already know and implying to what is being taught. Constructivism gets students to become involved and hands on in what they are learning, becoming active learners. Another helpful tool taught within this class, EME 2040, would be livetext. Livetext is a tool that I feel all teachers should have, it is very helpful and is also something that I can take with me beyond school; carry with me throughout my future career within the education field.

Something that I support 100% would be diversity and openness. When I say this class was different I mean that in a good way. We not only learned about education but became more aware of what is going on within the real world which I feel is something that should be implemented when teaching. My most valuable experience would be commenting on the poems given for us to read. These weren’t just any poems but they were raw eye opening lessons. One that struck me the most would be “Cité Soleil”. This poem addressed the trials and hardships that Haiti has and still is going through. The problems are not just of Haiti’s but many countries. By commenting on poems such as this you are being forced to give your opinion to think and understand what you are reading.

In conclusion I can genuinely say that this class was excellent. A successful class would be a class full of students who learned, understood, and are able to take what they learned on with them throughout their life. You, Professor Mcnair, have taught me a lot and I thank you. Wish you the best.

Reflection 9:What have you learned about the use of technology in the process of instructional delivery?

Technology is something that has grown tremendously each year and because of this it has affected today’s world, as far as how everything is done and operated. When it comes to using technology within the process of instructional delivery there are both positives and negatives. Because of technology’s impact it is vital to imply technology because majority is operated by technology in some way. Due to everything being operated over a computer or any computer-based devices it is rare to find people who physically write anymore or do anything physical.

Some positive aspects to implying technology would be the convenience. The internet, laptop, home computer is very convenient. You can now take online classes where the work is posted on a website. You are guided by the teacher through the web. It is up to your convenience as to where you do your work and when, but it is also your responsibility to keep up with what you are assigned and submit the work on its specific due date. Another good thing would be the expansion of learning. You not only have one library but you have resources from all over the world. When researching on a subject, using the internet, you receive hundreds of sites devoted to that one subject. You obtain the opinions of different people. When coming across different opinions you are able to become open-minded and to become open-minded is to educate yourself. To use technology within the process of instructional delivery the students are also being able to learn on their own, utilizing their independent skills to become resourceful. A negative about the growth of technology today would be the lack of interpersonal skills but even so there are telecollaborative lessons where students are able to group up with others trough the internet. An example of a telecollaborative lesson would be having your students have key pals. This was talked about in a previous reflection due, reflection 6.

Like stated earlier, majority of the world is now based on computers, because of this it is important to teach students how to use this technology. When students are able to understand this and master this they are progressing and preparing themselves for the future. Many jobs are required to have computer-based skills especially Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint. Even within this course EME 2040 all four of these software’s are required.

Reflection 8: What is your Educational Philosophy?

Every teacher has their own individual way in teaching just as every person is unique. According to a survey taken, my philosophy of education is constructivism. Philosophy of education is to study the main objective, nature, process, and the ideals of education. It is to use the more traditional fields of philosophy and include its approaches, to confront questions in relation to human development, education policy, curriculum theory and more. There are six educational philosophies and they are perennialism, essentialism, progressive education, existentialism, social reconstruction, and pragmatism or experimentalism. To use these approaches in philosophy of education is to be diverse.

To each teacher is a philosophy that suites them best, due to their teaching style which is based upon their beliefs and what they feel is important to their students in learning. Within this reflection we were told to take survey giving our opinion on what we strongly agree to what we strongly disagree on based on the statements given. After the survey was submitted results were given showing the philosophies of education and which suites personally you. My philosophy of education came out to be constructivism. Constructivism was developed by Jean Piaget. It is the theory that others learn based upon their own personal experiences. This philosophy was not always taken serious, back in the day, it was seen as "children's play". Constructivism views the learner as a unique individual. It encourages learners to combine their own culture and their previous knowledge with what is being taught. Social interaction is very important. When one is being sociable they are exercising their "people skills". The students are also learning from another, they are learning another's cultures, hearing out others point of views. This is important at a young age because within the real world students will come across different people from different cultures. They will be faced with conflicts of different opinions. Constructivism also supports active learning, to have the student being actively involved in the learning process. When students are learning themselves they are better understanding what is being taught. The more the student understands the better the student is learning and is able to take that experience with them long term. The role of the teacher within constructivism is to be a facilitator, guiding their students. The facilitator simply helps the students get their own better understanding of what is being taught. In conclusion I agree with the results I had received in based upon what would be my philosophy of education because I personally feel every students is a unique individual and every students learn best when they themselves understand what is being taught. Like stated earlier once the student fully understand then it is something that they will use long-term.

Reflection 7: What is a Digital Story?

Digital story-telling is something that has progressed and is continuing to progress throughout the years due to growth of technology today. A digital story would be described as relaying a story while practicing the computer-based tools or technology. While practicing this such tools are being used images, recorded audio, video clips, music and much more. Digital stories are generally about two to ten minutes long depending. When creating a digital story it is concentrated a particular topic while giving your personal view on things. Such topics range from talking about your own personal experiences to historical events; whether it be within your own community or exploring the world, travelling.
There are two ways in looking at digital stories; one electronic portfolio as digital story of learning and two digital story telling as a reflective portfolio. When looking at digital story telling as an electronic portfolio there are elements that must implemented such as collection, selection, reflection, direction, and celebration. Under these elements questions are asked and answered. What? Past as far as what have I collected about my life, work learning? So what? Present as far as what do those artifacts shoe about what I have learned? This talks about your current reflections on your knowledge and skills. Now what? Future as far what direction would you want to take in the future? This deals with your future learning goals. The second topic within digital storytelling that was previous mentioned would be using your digital story telling as a reflective portfolio which uses strategies to promote intrinsic motivation to maintain the process of lifelong learning. This too contains certain elements, these seven elements include point of view, dramatic questioning, emotional content, your voice, soundtrack, economy and pacing. This approach would be constructivist approach. When using digital story telling as a reflective portfolio you exercise your characteristics. Learner ownership and engagement, you establish a emotional connection, it is used as a deep learning tool, and also your viewers are to hear the learners authentic voice.

Reflection 6: What is a Telecollaborative Lesson?

A telecollaborative lesson plan would be defined as involving your students within a project to share information with a group of people. Within in the word telecollaborative is collaborative which is grouping your students to work together through the internet. Another way of explaining this would be pen pals. Teachers would have their students write to others from all over their world. Sharing their experiences, understanding the differences between different countries. Being that times have changed and new technology has developed we would no longer call them pen pals but "key pals".

To use telecollaborative lessons is a good eye-opener for students, the results are very positive in that in helps students face reality. It is important for everyone to be aware of the world and its issues today. It is extremely important to start at a young age. The more knowledgeable the better. It is the students that become our future leaders. As a young child you are not so aware of the differences between countries. You do not realize that everyone many not live as comfortably as you. When students have key pals they are able to meet people from all over the world, they are able to share their experiences as well key pals are able to do the same. Communicating stories back and forth. Yes it is a positive experience but it may not always be a happy experience. For the students of Brenda Dyck, this was the case. For each reflection we are given a guide to base our writings on. For this reflection the guide given to us was based upon a teachers experience in using the telecollaboraitve lesson method. This teacher was Brenda Dyck of ABC Charter Public School in Canada. At the time she was teaching middle school. Her telecolloborative project was having her students key pal those in Israeli. At first the conversation was of any normal 13 or 14 year olds, talking about music, sports, weekend activities. The students had grown close. The students had learned through their key pals in Israeli that they were privileged compared to them. Their key pals would explain their feelings of insecurity within their own "home", how they do not feel safe while doing such little things as going to the movies with their friends. Her students then came across a CNN video of a recent Israeli bombing, the students were silent and in awe at what had happened. Worried that their key pals were in danger.

In conclusion telecollaborative lessons are very positive, opening the eyes of students to real world issues. I'm sure Brenda Dyck's students had learned a lesson. Learned to appreciate the little things they are able to do such as going to the movies or just feeling safe within their own home without worrying about bombings occurring. One thing we should all be thankful for is the gift of life, to be able to start a new day.

Reflection 5:What is Cooperative/Collaborative Learning?

When talking about both cooperative and collaborative learning we must first define each. Even though they are both similar as far as grouping students they still have their own differences. Cooperative and collaborative learning differ from the traditional learning methods in that the students are learning to work with each other rather than competing. Theses learning methods are very helpful within the students growing process in so many ways.
Collaborative learning would be described as a group if students coming together to better understand and explore an assignment or question. They group together to discuss a lecture or project but this is done over the internet. These groups can be also be called teams or be made of up students from various schools.

Cooperative learning are also students formed as a group but each student is given their own set of work to contribute towards to the final assignment. They work together more face-to-face rather than over the internet. In order for cooperative learning to take place three things must occur. To begin one, the students must feel a sense of security, they must feel safe. Two, the groups cannot be too large. The groups must be small so that each students opinion is heard. Last but not least, three, the work that is given to the students must be understood, clearly defined.

Cooperative and collaborative learning is a very helpful way within the students growing process because they are faced with challenges that they will also face in the real world. Challenges such as learning to deal with conflict amongst others. When a group of people are put into groups there is going to be conflict due to the fact that everyone is different and is entitled to their own opinion. Being social is also an important part of growing and this occurs during cooperative and collaborative learning. The students are improving their interpersonal skills by having to talk to their fellow classmates, getting to know them and understanding their opinions. By doing this the students are becoming open minded and when a student becomes open minded they become educated to the real world and those around them.

In conclusion cooperative and collaborative learning helps students gain more knowledge is several ways. The students are actively participating, diversity is welcomed while all opinions are a contribution, learning to use research tool such as the internet, students are able to learn how to deal with conflict when it occurs. More positive results sue to cooperative and collaborative learning would include increase in self-esteem, better understanding in the lesson, improved achievement in grades and higher motivation.

Reflection 4: What is Inquiry-Based Learning?

When first talking about inquiry-based learning it is important to first define inquiry which is understanding the knowledge and solving a problem, questioning. Inquiry-based learning is a process in which the students involve themselves within the learning to help better understand what is being taught and to also better understand or make sense of what is going on around us. It was formed by theorists Freire, Piaget, Vygostsky, Dewey and many more. Author Joe Exline stated “Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand.” Everyone learns differently but I personally feel that learning hands on helps tremendously. To inquire is something we have all done since birth by recognizing faces and voices, environments and objects.
Inquiry is an important learning method because without it nothing can be understood. To implement inquiry based learning we must change the “traditional” ways of learning such as memorization. Many use the memorization as a method of learning but this will not help you in the long run. Even though one would memorize what is being taught the student is not able to understand, which is the most important. To learn one must understand what is being taught. When you understand the information it is being brought with you for a lifetime. We must process the information and put it into sense in our own way. A good example would be math. Math is a subject that not many enjoy. It is something you must understand, if not, there is no sense. To understand math you must be able to use your own steps in what helps you understand. Another example of inquiry would be passages. During elementary school it was brought to both my parents and I’s attention that I was having difficulty in understanding what I was reading. A way to help test your knowledge is to have a reading passage, then questions, questioning your knowledge and understanding in what was being read. Effective inquiry includes questioning such as a framework of questioning, different levels of questioning, and a context for questions. Within in inquiry we must also bridge what we know to how we must come to know.
Inquiry learning is active learning, more hands on and being involved. When you involve the student, they are being forced to try and understand what is going on also teaching them step by step on what to do. You are just guiding them while the student is learning and understanding themselves.