Individual Differences Ch 5

What?
I found the class on individual differences very interesting. I liked the part were we took the intelligence test. It was interesting to see the different learning styles of our class. I also found it interesting to talk about the different learning theories. I would say that I end to lean toward Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. I feel that intelligences are talents. We all have different talents. We also know we can develop talents and make them better.
So What?
As teachers we have to recognize that our students learn differently. We must make sure that their learning styles are met. We need to write lesson plans that will incorporate the students learning style. I think that more then ever before pressure is put on the teacher to make sure the student is learning. I am not saying that it is wrong for teachers to be under pressure, but if every student needs to succeed, than we have to make sure their learning style is met. We must first recognize the learning styles of our class than adapt the lesson to their needs.
Now What?
I want to be the best I can be. I want to give my students the best opportunity to learn and progress. I need to be aware of their learning styles. I need to write lesson plans that will help them understand the objectives of the lessons. It is great to learn about how and why students learn. If we didn't learn this then teaching would be very difficult and unrewarding.

Group Differences Ch 4

What?
I thought that this weeks class was very interesting on cultures and group differences. I feel like it is such an important topic when it comes to teaching. I learned this week that there are many different cultures that I will be faced with in school. I thought that it was interesting to learn about worldviews and stereotypes. This class went right along with my multicultural class. I like the many ideas that were shared about making a classroom a multicultural environment. I also thought it was interesting the statistics that you shared with us in class.
So What?
So why is this important to know? If we are not of the cultures that our students are in how can we best serve them. We need to make sure that each student is receiving all the resources available to them. If we don't know where the student is coming from how can we help them. We also need to know the proper way to teach a student. If we have mannerisms that offend student, or say something that might offend students, we need to correct and change what we do and say.
I also think that it is important to create a multicultural classroom. I like the many ideas that were shared in class. We need to make sure that everyone feels included. I we truly believe that school is for everyone then lets make sure that we teach it to everyone.
Now What?
As I look back at the lesson plans that I have written I realize that they have not been very good at creating a multicultural classroom. I know that I need to work on this. I must say that none of this stuff dawned on me till just recently. I wish that I had learned this before I had written all my lesson plans. How ever i am glad that I have learned it before I start teaching.