FINAL EXAM Discussion

HI, ladies!

Here is the space I promised for you all to chat, discuss, ask, pose, and argue over the final! :) I'll subscribe so that I get all posts and questions...will check in when you all need!


Thank you all for a GREAT semester - you were my FIRST class EVER as a REAL PROFESSOR!

dr.m

What is your "happiness"?

On Thursday, we had a great and lively discussion about Nel Noddings article. I want you all to think deeply about this - what is YOUR happiness? Not determined by someone else, not what will make your parents happy/proud, not what you think I want to hear...what is YOUR happiness?

I'm asking because I think it is important that you KNOW this - until you are truly "happy" you cannot help others to find their happiness...in my mind, this includes teaching.

I'm not looking for "warm fuzzies"...I'm looking for you to really think about this and be honest with not only your classmates, but yourself as well.

I'll share mine with you as well...but not just yet. I look forward to reading your response...

dr.m

PHILOSOPHY...misused or misunderstood

In the second half of Chapter 1, which we did not get to in class, I want this discussion to focus on the ways in which philosophy has/does misused, misunderstood, and misguided educational issues. I want us to focus on issues that are complex like religion in schools, globalization, accountability, and the curriculum. In what ways has philosophy been (mis) used to justify and provide rationale for programs/ideologies?

I would like for you to essentially begin and have a conversation about the second half of Chapter 1 - please use specific citations from your text, make connections with our in-class conversations and your observations in your schools. It is time to start thinking critically and intellectually...this stuff is "sticky" and not easy. Philosophy offers us a way to really delve deeply into some complicated things...

Remember, we are each to post TWICE a week - this should be an easy chapter to discuss - there is PLENTY in there! Also...you don't have to stay on the same topic in the thread...feel free to jump in and out of topics, ideas, references, etc.

Happy posting,

dr.m

SHAME OF THE NATION...let's begin!

I want you to begin focusing on the ways in which what you are seeing in your observations, schooling experience, etc. mirrors or contrasts with what you are reading in Shame of the Nation. I want us to move beyond anectodal stories to relating what we've read about the history of public education, our discussions in class, and your observations in your two environments. I would also like for you to begin making direct reference to your readings (citing page number and/or author). This is an important skill for teachers - too many times we say "Research says...." but we don't quote that research. Let's begin doing so!

Looking forward to our discussion on the Kozol book...he is one of the most engaging authors I've ever read.

dr.m

Race and Learning

Chevonne has posted this YOUTube Video on another thread and I wanted to put it here in its own thread for you to watch and comment - this is a provacative video and one that will push you to ask some difficult questions about society, race, schooling, and the way in which we teach children (conciously and unconciously) about race.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybDa0gSuAcg


Happy posting, Ladies!

dr.m

HISTORY of EDUCATION

I'd like for you to reflect so far on our readings and what you've seen in the video on the history of our educational system. We talked briefly about some things that seem to resonate from our past in today's schools and classrooms. Why is it that these things have not changed? Have our students not changed? How, as teachers, would you learn from the past and improve it for your students?

Remember, this is only a starting "prompt" for you - start here and run with it! ;) Can't wait to hear what you all have to say...sometimes class is too packed (especially as we catch up) to get to everyone!

Jump right in!

dr.m

We'll meet TOMORROW!

We WILL meet for class tomorrow and I'm expecting we'll all have read the assigned Introduction to Contextualizing Teaching and the first reading in the packet.

Please contact me at my LSU email jennm@lsu.edu if you're not going to make it to class.

Hope you're all well - we just got power yesterday at my home in the Garden District....I know much of BR is still waiting.
Dr.M