Ok, so today was the final class for 276. I have really enjoyed the class. Today, however, everyone seemed a little on edge. I will blame it on the fact that it's the end of the semester.
Anyways, I was pondering back on the semester, and it has been one of much growth. I am so grateful to be at BYU. At the beginning of the school year, I was in awe due to the drastic difference in teaching styles and philosophies among professors here as compared to my last college. I have realized that the same pressures of learning exist, but I have a much different perspective on my role in learning. I look forward to another few years here and I hope to learn and grow more each semester.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Religion vs. Politics
The issue of religion vs politics has become a rising debate among Americans over the past several decades. What does the separation of church and state really mean? Today I had the opportunity to listen to Presidential Hopeful, Governor Mitt Romney, discuss his views on this topic. As a result, I have begun to formulate my views on where I stand.
His main premise was built upon the fact that we are not have religion vs politics, but that we must have religion AND politics. They must be together to succeed. The constitution was built upon principles of religion. Freedom requires religion, more specifically a belief and trust in God, and religion requires freedom. "Alone they perish."
The liberal movement to pull God off our currency, and out of our pledge, does not conform with our founding father's intentions of separation of church and state. The affairs of the US Government are to be separate from those of churches, but the Government is not to separate itself from the God who gave us our liberty centuries ago. This will lead to the downfall of our nation, and pose a threat to our religious freedom. Liberty is a gift from God, and that source has been recognized for hundreds of years. To deviate from that recognition is to ensure potential destruction of this great nation.
I stand by this belief. To use a phrase from Governor Romney, this nation is composed of a "Symphony of Faith." If we will unite, not in specific doctrines, but in a common recognition of a god, and of our reliance upon that god, we can maintain our position as a wonderful nation.
When looking at religion vs. politics they must be combined in a united effort in order to succeed.
His main premise was built upon the fact that we are not have religion vs politics, but that we must have religion AND politics. They must be together to succeed. The constitution was built upon principles of religion. Freedom requires religion, more specifically a belief and trust in God, and religion requires freedom. "Alone they perish."
The liberal movement to pull God off our currency, and out of our pledge, does not conform with our founding father's intentions of separation of church and state. The affairs of the US Government are to be separate from those of churches, but the Government is not to separate itself from the God who gave us our liberty centuries ago. This will lead to the downfall of our nation, and pose a threat to our religious freedom. Liberty is a gift from God, and that source has been recognized for hundreds of years. To deviate from that recognition is to ensure potential destruction of this great nation.
I stand by this belief. To use a phrase from Governor Romney, this nation is composed of a "Symphony of Faith." If we will unite, not in specific doctrines, but in a common recognition of a god, and of our reliance upon that god, we can maintain our position as a wonderful nation.
When looking at religion vs. politics they must be combined in a united effort in order to succeed.
TRLP
I recognize the need for lesson plans, but I struggle creating them. I have been programmed in my mind to think they are mainly a nuisance. This probably stems from the reactions of my teachers growing up to lesson plans. As I study about teaching, I realize more and more how important it is to have a plan and I hope to overcome this inhibition to plan lessons.
With that said, I move on to our Technology Rich Lesson Plan (TRLP), and our class unit plan. We spent most of class discussing ideas on creating a unit plan, and how to implement it. I am really excited to put this together. The details are still being worked out, so I will save them for later, but let me say that our unit involves video recorders, a PMUC (Personal Multi-Use Cart), an obstacle course, and tons of learning! We won't actually get to teach our lesson plans, but they will be a great resource for the future.
With that said, I move on to our Technology Rich Lesson Plan (TRLP), and our class unit plan. We spent most of class discussing ideas on creating a unit plan, and how to implement it. I am really excited to put this together. The details are still being worked out, so I will save them for later, but let me say that our unit involves video recorders, a PMUC (Personal Multi-Use Cart), an obstacle course, and tons of learning! We won't actually get to teach our lesson plans, but they will be a great resource for the future.
Debate on Referendum 1
Today I learned a valuable lesson!
Here's the issues:
Private Schools: Private funding (tuition), controlled by individual or agency that is not the gov't, teacher credentialing is not required.
Charter Schools: Public school with government funding, operate under a charter that is approved by the government and school district in which they reside, use innovative pedagogy.
Public School: Fully funded by the state, credentialing of teachers is required, all residents can attend.
Referendum 1 was about creating a voucher program to assist in tuition expenses for families who wished to send their children to Private or Charter schools. There was much debate over this issue in the state of Utah.
We were given an opportunity to debate this in class today. I generally lean against voting for vouchers but I was assigned to the group that was on the pro-voucher side. In the beginning this created a conflict of interest for me. However, I decided to give it the 'ole college try and do my best to support the issues. This led me to some great articles that helped me to understand both sides of the issue better.
More that just creating a good argument, I learned a valuable lesson. It is essential to understand both sides of any issue. When you can truly understand where the opposite side comes from, it makes it a lot easier to compromise and reach agreements.
Here's the issues:
Private Schools: Private funding (tuition), controlled by individual or agency that is not the gov't, teacher credentialing is not required.
Charter Schools: Public school with government funding, operate under a charter that is approved by the government and school district in which they reside, use innovative pedagogy.
Public School: Fully funded by the state, credentialing of teachers is required, all residents can attend.
Referendum 1 was about creating a voucher program to assist in tuition expenses for families who wished to send their children to Private or Charter schools. There was much debate over this issue in the state of Utah.
We were given an opportunity to debate this in class today. I generally lean against voting for vouchers but I was assigned to the group that was on the pro-voucher side. In the beginning this created a conflict of interest for me. However, I decided to give it the 'ole college try and do my best to support the issues. This led me to some great articles that helped me to understand both sides of the issue better.
More that just creating a good argument, I learned a valuable lesson. It is essential to understand both sides of any issue. When you can truly understand where the opposite side comes from, it makes it a lot easier to compromise and reach agreements.
Salary Schedule
I have fallen a little behind in my reflections. Now I will go back to capture a few thoughts in individual entries.
I really enjoyed the discussion on some of the semantics involving the world of teaching. Up to this point, my desire to teach and understanding of teaching, revolved around the yearning to make a difference. While this is a worthy motivation, it is necessary to understand all aspects of the realm of teaching so as to be prepared to become the best possible educator I can.
One thing that particularly interested me was the discussion on salary schedules. I am not as focus on amounts, but more so on how to increase my worth. I now understand the importance of furthering my education and it's implications on negotiability with contracts.
I really enjoyed the discussion on some of the semantics involving the world of teaching. Up to this point, my desire to teach and understanding of teaching, revolved around the yearning to make a difference. While this is a worthy motivation, it is necessary to understand all aspects of the realm of teaching so as to be prepared to become the best possible educator I can.
One thing that particularly interested me was the discussion on salary schedules. I am not as focus on amounts, but more so on how to increase my worth. I now understand the importance of furthering my education and it's implications on negotiability with contracts.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The Other Group
I was very impressed with the teaching of the other group. They taught about Global Positioning Systems. I even learned a little bit myself. I was impressed with the clarity in their explanation of how the technology works, and then the application of how to use a GPS.
One thing that I felt I could work on from observing them is being innovative in the middle of teaching. I really enjoyed watching Scott as he walked around with his group. He did a great job of being creative to help the students understand the concepts, and to resolve their concerns.
I give them an A for the day!
One thing that I felt I could work on from observing them is being innovative in the middle of teaching. I really enjoyed watching Scott as he walked around with his group. He did a great job of being creative to help the students understand the concepts, and to resolve their concerns.
I give them an A for the day!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
A Sigh of Relief
I must admit, I was a little nervous going into today's teaching. Not because I didn't know our lesson plan, but because I was worried about being able to keep the attention of the students the whole time. In retrospect, I didn't need to be worried. I learned 2 valuable lessons today.
First, you don't need to have their attention the whole time. Students need to feel the freedom to choose what they want to do. This doesn't mean I shouldn't try to keep their attention, but that sometimes they will wander off, but will return to focus eventually.
Second, being prepared aids in keeping the students interested. Being well prepared allows you to have a good plan, but also the ability to vary from your plan according to student questions because you know you can get back on track where you left off. If you aren't prepared, and are relying far too much on lecture notes or a power point, it becomes much harder to vary your lesson plan as needed.
I am grateful for the opportunity that we had to prepare and to teach. It was a great experience and helped me to learn and grow.
First, you don't need to have their attention the whole time. Students need to feel the freedom to choose what they want to do. This doesn't mean I shouldn't try to keep their attention, but that sometimes they will wander off, but will return to focus eventually.
Second, being prepared aids in keeping the students interested. Being well prepared allows you to have a good plan, but also the ability to vary from your plan according to student questions because you know you can get back on track where you left off. If you aren't prepared, and are relying far too much on lecture notes or a power point, it becomes much harder to vary your lesson plan as needed.
I am grateful for the opportunity that we had to prepare and to teach. It was a great experience and helped me to learn and grow.
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