I never knew there were so many different ways that people could learn and it was interesting to take the test and be told what type of a learner I was. However, by telling me what type of a learner I am doesn't that in one sense restrict me into learning one way. I may begin to believe that the only way I can learn is if I can practice it with my hands but when it comes to a lesson where I just have to think about it am I going to lose out? Otherwise, I thought all the different sections were very interesting.
It's a lot harder then I thought it was going to be to create solutions to help the education system but I still believe that there is one way that we can at least make the system better. On page 35, England writes "Standardized assessments give only a snapshot of what a student knows (or does not know) on a given day. This snapshot is not panoramic. It does not give an expansive view of all a student has achieved. Instead, it a singular glimpse of an isolated skill or set of skills."For years I've very rarely had a problem with taking test because I felt like I know how it works. You go to class, zone out after 15-45 minutes depending on the class, and when the test comes around you try to memorize as much information as possible to take the test and hope you pass. This mentality has made me feel as if I was wasting my time and that I learn more on my block from my friends and elders than I do when in class (where I pay a certain amount to have someone tell me exactly the same thing I read in my textbook the night before). If all I need to do to pass is memorize a certain amount of information before the test, going to class is a waste when I could be sleeping. But that's not the way it should be but this is how taking tests like multiple choice make me feel.
If we could use the examples that the group and Kerri-Ann brought out in class (I couldn't think of anything else because I'm not that creative) by offering the students a variety of choices on how to express their understanding of a specific topic maybe our students would gaining knowledge instead of memorizing facts. When dealing with Math, English, Science, or any other subject a teacher could teach them the method and take the time to make sure they understand how to apply it. Then they can present a question such as apply the Pythagorean Theorem to figure out what the answer is for 3+b=25. The students can either use diagrams, models, a play, or pictures and they have a choice of working alone or in a group. Working in a group will help to expose them to other students with different learning styles and they can hopefully learn from each other. This will all be done in class and then when everyone is finished or enough time has passed they can present their answer to the class. The class can ask questions and this will help everyone to further understand the topic and "test" them on how to use it. After this, if necessary a multiple choice test can be given the next day just for grades. This idea isn't completely flushed out yet but I think it's a start. Two negative effects that I can see are it will be a little time consuming and expensive depending on how much of the classroom supplies are used each time but in this circumstance I feel the ends will justify the means because I don't want to have to worry about who's running on the world when I'm playing Bingo and drinking lemonade on my front porch.
This is a link to a young girl's presentation of the milky way that she practiced at home and someone videotaped her. She's talking about the milky way and using a project she made from Lucky Charms to show what she's talking about. It's a little cheesy but it gets the point across.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quz0PJyAsFo
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2 comments:
I love how honest you are. If tests are based solely on what is taught in class- it makes things difficult for those that have different learning styles. For people that cannot just sit there and listen-like myself included, I often zone out for any given period of time, and often lose the information that was just taught. When students at a very young age are expected to learn when things are orally taught instead of hands on it makes things difficult. I loved the link you posted by the way- I am not sure the girl said "milky way" enough times. It was a cute idea she had though. It also shows how children at such a young age are already worrying about presenting things- my parents never videotaped anything of me but concerts growing up. And I still cannot bear to watch them.
Playing bingo on your front porch while the mercedes is parked in the garage?lol. Funny. I agree with you on most points and the solutions you have posed make sense. Listen, teachers have to be creative at all costs. We are not all the BEST of teachers but I think that if each person actually attempts to do ONE new thing per class, then students will appreciate the fact that someone has taken their learning styles into consideration.
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