Group Differences Forum

The group differences forum was an awesome experience!  The subjects covered were issues that we, as teachers, will all have to confront at some point in our careers. I enjoyed listening, and contributing to each topic brought to attention.  It was interesting hearing my classmates views on the topics and comparing them to my own.  I would have liked to learn more about ELL teachers.  This was a subject not many of us knew a lot about.  Overall, I thought the forum was a great learning experience for everyone involved and I hope that this continues in future 401 classes to come.

Barb Rentenbach Assignment

I was unable to attend both lectures by Barb Rentenbach, though instead I watched videos "Here We Are World: A Conversation Among Friends" and "Autism Teacher Please Barb Rentenbach".  In "Here We Are World: A Conversation Among Friends", individuals who all suffer from autism, who also happen to be friends, use facilitated communication (FC) to communicate with each other.  The video really opened my eyes at how autism can effect an individual.  I have always known that autism is a serious disorder, and quite naively I never knew people suffering with autism could understand the world around them so well.  I was amazed at the in-depth conversations they had with each other by simply typing out their thoughts on a computer.  It was surprising to learn that they were all attending college studying subjects I would never have the courage to take.  This is yet another stereotypical view the world labels on people with disorders.  If it was not for technology individuals suffering with this disorder could never speak to the world, and we would never know what amazing thoughts and ideas were growing inside them. 

In "Autism Teacher Please Barb Rentenbach", Rentenbach is suffering from autism and is mute.  Since her disorder does not permit her to speak, she writes and uses facilitated communication to communicate with the world.  The video features writings from her book, "I Might Be You", read by Rentenbach's friends.  In Rentenbach's writings, she explains to teachers how to successfully teach and care for a student who is suffering from autism.  She explains some rituals that autism students perform are acts of comfort, and that they just need to be understood.  An example she gives is that she carried around nuts and bolts with her because it gave her a sense of comfort, and yes it was odd, but that's what felt right to her. She stresses that we are all equal, and that we all need to be viewed and understood the same way. 

After watching both videos my views on autism have certainly changed.  These individuals are just like any other student, they just can not voice their ideas verbally like most.  When I have students in my future classroom dealing with autism I will be more patient and willing to coordinate with their needs to make them feel as comfortable as possible.  At the beginning of the "Autism Teacher Please Barb Rentenbach" video, Rentenbach describes herself as someone most people may fear.  She says "I am digused as a poor thinker".  This is unquestionably true in our society.  If anyone looks, or acts differently they are automatically judged and labeled.  Rentenbach and the FC friends in "Here We Are World: A Conversation Among Friends" throw all of these stereotypical judgements out the door. I found myself wishing that I was as intelligent as them, and also so much more appreciative of my world. 

 

PLE Post #10 (Chapter 2)

Theories in educational psychology promote the idea that language plays a critical role in cognitive development. Examine Table 2.2 (p. 51), paying particular attention to the age range that you are interested in teaching. Consider how you might incorporate or adapt the strategies presented for use with your own students.

In grade level's K-2, the student will have a hard time understanding complex sentences, and the qualities of a good listener.  To work on these two very important skills in the classroom, I would communicate with my students using age appropriate vocabulary.  If I were to use a new vocabulary word in my lesson I would be sure to fully explain the meaning of the word so they will better understand.  To work on listening skills, I would enforce sitting quietly while paying attention to my explanation of that days art procedures.
This age group enjoys telling stories, and I would use this ability in my art lessons.  A great way to incorporate vocabulary, listening skills, and art would be to read the students a story and have them finish the story with their own unique ending.  The students will be listening to vocabulary, and quietly paying attention, strengthening their listening skills.  The story will have no ending, and it will be their job to finish the story.  They will draw an illustration to go along with their ending and they will share the story with the class.
I found a YouTube video explaining the importance of early learning. The age group of the children in the video is much younger, but it's very interesting how much they retain at such a young age.

Early Learning and the Brain