Brain Learning Log

What? This was a very interesting week in the classroom. I learned a lot about the brain and how it works. I also learned about what happens when certain parts of the brain get damaged. It was very interesting to realize how everything works and how different parts of the brain are for different things. It is so cool how all of the different parts work together to make us work and think properly. If one little thing goes wrong or gets hit or bumped in the wrong way things won’t work the way it is supposed to.
In the chapter it talked more about the brain and how it works. It then went into how people learn and talk through tasks. It also talked about Piaget’s and Vygotsjy’s theories of cognitive development.

So What? I think this topic is very important. We learned all about the brain and how it works. It talked about how people learn which will help us know how to teach. I think it is important to know the different stages of learning so we will know what we are dealing with. Sometimes we will have students that are more or less advanced than the “norm”. It will be important for us to know how they learn as well so we are able to help all students.

Now What? I will use this to help me write my lesson plans to help the students learn the best way they can. If something in my teaching isn’t working I will need to adapt it for them not adapt them for my teaching. It is my job to help them learn and this knowledge about learning and the brain will help me teach them. I think it would be beneficial for me to try to create lesson plans that would help the students to learn the best. Then have someone look at them with me and show me what things could be changed to make my teaching styles better.

WebQuest

What?
I learned a lot about the different types of research that can be done. I never knew about anything other than the experimental research.
Descriptive: is a study that you can do just by describing a situation.
Correlation: is a study where you look at the relationship between two, or more things.
Experimental: is the typical research type with the control group with different variables tested.
Action Research: can be done in a classroom or school by teachers or personnel to make changes in the way things are done.

So What?
I think this a great base for what we will be learning about the rest of the semester. Everything we learn will be added on to the foundation we now have.

Now What?
I think it would be helpful to study different studies done in each of the research areas. It would help me to see how they are carried out. Right now I just know about the research types and have read a few studies. Maybe it would be beneficial to even participate in each of the research types to get an inside view about how everything works.

Motivation Blog

1. I am in the education program because I want to be a teacher. I love to work with kids and see their face when they have grasped a new concept. This is a step on the way to fulfilling my dream.

2. My dreams and desires motivate me. If I want something I have to work to get there. My family motivates me by believing in me.

3. I succeed when I work hard and do my best. My success is not always measured in a grade or award. Success is doing your very best at whatever you do. You can't fail unless you do not try, you give up or you do a half hearted job.

4. I fail when I do not do my best.

5. I don't think I need to change my motivations I think I just need to stick to them and remember them. When things get tough and I want to give up I will just need to remember why I am doing everything. I think that will get me through anything.

Course Contract

List 2-3 specific goals you have for this course.

1-Obviously get a good grade.

2-Learn how to better understand students and myself and how to people learn so I can use that to be the best teacher I can.

3-Learn something in this class that will make a difference in the way I think.

Describe your weekly preparation plan. Be specific. What will you do each day of the week to prepare for this course.

I will come to class each week and be prepared by reading ahead of time and finishing my assignments. If I have any questions I will ask my peers or Dr. Cox.

Outline the study strategies that you will use to understand the material.

Read the material

Make sure I know what I read

Write down any questions

Come to class prepared to contribute

Ask questions when they arise

Review what we talked about

Explain the process you will follow if you do not understand a topic.

For me it really depends on where I am when I do not understand. If it is when I am reading I would re-read and try to figure it out. If that doesn't help the internet is my friend and I would look up different concepts and read about them. After I would go back to the book and read to see if I understand it.

If I am in class I would raise my hand and ask a question. If I still didn't understand I would talk to the teacher after class and try to get more clarification.

Complete the following statement:

I will reach my goals in this course by completing all assigned work, reading assigned material and doing the best I can.