Utilizing Resources

One of my roommates is volunteering at a rehab center at one of the nearby hospitals.  She never discloses any names or information she shouldn't share about the patients but she often shares information about the patients she thinks that I may benefit from.  For example, the other day she came home and asked me if I've ever worked with a student who has Echolalia.  I had never worked with a student with this disorder nor have I ever heard the term echolalia before.  She began to explain to me that one of the therapists that she works with has a patient with this speech disorder where she repeats everything that she hears.  For example the therapist would ask Patient X, "Did you eat breakfast this morning." The patient would answer, "Did you eat breakfast this morning." The therapist would then answer, "Yes I ate breakfast." Then the young girl would also answer, "Yes I ate breakfast."  My roommate told me that this continued for the whole session.  She would repeat just about everything the therapist said. 

I found this so interesting that I had to research it.  It is actually a common speech disorder in people with Autism, Tourette syndrome, Alzheimers, schizophrenia, and Asperger syndrome.  I have witnessed my grandma with Alzheimers repeat everything that my aunt tells her to say but I have never seen such a disorder in a child.  The young girl is only 5 years old so she has plenty of time to either grow out of the syndrome or learn how to communicate properly with further practice. 

This has been the first year where I have found myself utilizing my peers more often as resources for new knowledge and different experiences.  My roommate is going into occupational therapy and works with many children with disabilities that I will probably see in my future classroom.  She asked the therapists that she works with if I could come in to observe and now I will be able to see children that could potentially be in my classroom outside of the classroom in a different setting.  This conversation between me and my roommate shows just how effective and important collaboration is in the teaching profession. 

My future in special education

This past Wednesday in TE we were discussing our placement for the year and a lot of discussion was surrounded around our CT's and their involvement in the classroom.   I was surprised to hear the lack of interest most of the teachers had with their students.  I'm not sure if they have been in the classroom for long period of time that they become immune to a situation that we thought was a big deal because we have never experienced it.  I'm sure that having your own classroom and 25-30 kids you are responsible for is a lot to take on but I hope that throughout my teaching career every situation my student's are going through whether they are big or small, I will treat with just as much attention as that student deserves. 

One of the girls in my class mentioned that throughout her schooling she was a girl that moved around a lot and was labeled as a high risk student.  Unfortunately the teachers were giving her the wrong attention.  She was was thought to be troubled so she was always questioned and patted down at her high school for drugs or weapons.  This scenario shows are schooling system is failing.  The teachers are not getting to know the students as individuals to find out their group of friends, how their home life is, what their interests are, etc.  If their teachers would have gotten to know this student they would have found out she had a stable home life with one of her family members, she was at the top of her class and had no drug problems.  She stated that she had one teacher throughout her twelve years of schooling that stood out from the rest.  This one teacher has motivated her to become a teacher herself because they impacted her life in such a positive way that she wants to do the same for her students.  I hope that whether I know it or not that I impact a student as much as this teacher did to one of my classmates. 

This past week I found myself helping both my CT and my mom with technology that I use daily that they are just now becoming familiar with.  My CT was beginning to use iTunes in the classroom (just for music) and was asking me how to get her music from her home computer onto her school computer.  This wasn't the first time that she asked me to use her through computer find what she was specifically looking for.  My mom also just started using skype and facebook to stay in contact with my sister who is in China.  My sister created both of these accounts for her but my mom now uses them actively.  She went from not having a lap top to being lost without her own.  The things that I find easy to use and a part of my everyday routine are new and difficult for these couple adults a part of older generations.  My CT, being only 12 years older than me, still isn't familiar with the technology that is out there and what it can bring to the classroom.  This makes me wonder if she just isn't out there looking for new technology to bring to the classroom or if it is an issue with the school not allowing/using technology.  

This semester has opened my eyes to the opportunity that I have at this age to experiment with different technologies and become familiar with the ones that I could find useful.  It is going to be my responsibility as a teacher to stay up to date with the new technologies and use them in the classroom.  I don't only want to become familiar with technologies that my students may need to better their learning but also what is popular and what my students are using on a day to day basis.  This could help hold the students interest and also give them opportunities to learn while using these technologies at home.  I have a professor that hardly uses the computer, we have to hand every paper in manually, and gives us all of our handouts for class in paper form rather than over the computer.  I don't find this class interesting and her way of teaching gives me the idea that a lot of her views are old fashioned and nothing that I will use in the classroom.  I don't want my students to feel this way about me in my future teaching career. 

Elimating Science and Social Studies from K-4 curriculum?

Just this week I had an interesting conversation with my CT for TE 401.  I am placed in a first grade classroom and we were discussing some of my curriculum I am covering for my literacy lesson plan.  She was really pleased to see that I was incorporating some science into my lesson.  This brought up the discussion that there has been talk of eliminating science and social studies all together from the grade levels K-4 for extra literacy instruction.  The school district is concerned with the large percentage of students who are below grade level in their literacy skills.  To me changing the curriculum is the easy out and what should really be taking place is a change in the way teachers are presenting the material.  At risk students don't need extra time in literacy instruction that is already ineffective for them, these students need additional time using a variety of instruction strategies to improve their skills.  The school could also budget for extra help, such as more special education teachers who have the education and knowledge to help bring these children up to their grade level. 

Another point that comes to mind is what happens for teachers who have social studies subject matter focus?  Are they going to be as marketable as other teachers who have an ELA major?  Am I going to be able to find a job as easy as some of my other peers?

This is something that I am going to continue to watch and look into.  Even if this was just talk amongst this school district, it is definitely something to put a lot of thought into. 

Emergence of Digital Literacy-Post #1

Over time the acceptance of digital text use has increased in schools and all over the workplace for many different reasons whether it is to relay information to a mass group of people or to make reading accessible for all students.  It is a struggle in some ways making digital books acceptable to all.  Many people prefer holding the paper and ink in their hands for many reasons.  They possibly like the idea that the book was purchased by them and there is no way for it to be taken away or lost, like something that could happen using a computer or other digital software.  If I am reading for pleasure, I prefer to have the actual book in my hands rather than reading or listening to the book on the computer.  Although, I have become accustomed to doing all of my school readings online.  I don't oppose reading on the computer and I really like the option to save a document in case I need it for further reference.  I enjoy using the computer for easy access to look up a term or find similar readings if necessary.  I also have the opportunity to do many things while I am reading something online.  For example, I am both reading the required text for class and blogging after I find something interesting to talk about. 

In the near future I think that there won't be many books, especially at the college level, purchased in the book stores.  Already many of my classes just post links and similar reading materials to be done online.  Most if not all of my books come with cd's that give extra information about the readings, supporting study guides and practice exams to help highlight the important information throughout the text.  My freshman year I hardly had any reading that I did online and if I did I would print out the text and highlight and take handwritten notes.  Now I hardly ever use my printer unless I am handing in a paper or an assignment and even then most of my papers and assignments are handed in online.  In just a short 4 years the way that classes are conducted and the assignments that are given have changed completely.

I know that entering the classroom having knowledge of the digital literacy world is going to be both beneficial for me to communicate with other colleagues and also for my students.  All students learn differently and it is going to be my responsibility to figure out what method works best for ever student.  It may be beneficial for some students to listen to their readings while they are reading it on the screen, while other students may prefer to have a book and printed worksheet with them.  The advancement of technology is giving us teachers the opportunity to add these variations in the classroom and there is no reason that we should not take advantage of these tools if they are going to make our students learn to their full potential.  I hope to see in the future every text that I have my students read in the classroom to be offered digitally so that they can read the material at home on the screen or listen to the text if necessary.