Group Differences Forum

I think that this forum was a very valuable experience for students going into education as it gives the oppurtunity to look at our biases and misconceptions on equality. I really enjoyed hearing the insight my classmates had on these issues. Personally I did not participate much as I was intrigued by other's answers  and felt that my opinion, where I had one, had been expressed. I believe that this should be a type of assignment in many classes and should even be addresed in education with students. It is important that we see ourselves as different but equal and realize what we all have to offer.

If I had to change anything about this forum it would be to give it more time so that  the issues  that garner more excitement can be discussed more heavily. I also think this should not necessarily be an assignment as much as a regular format for class during certain classes. I bekieve that at this point in our education, most students have so much to offer that class should be more of a sharing of ideas rather than a lecture style class. Naturally from time to time lecture is needed as the teacher is more prepared to share the information, but often class discussion should be more idealized.

Barb Retenbach

I read in a classmate's blog post that they thought that Barb was going to start her presentation by saying, "dear utk, autism is my prison." However she said it was her prism not her prison. This statement is where my perception was changed the most. I by no means expected that Barb was not intelligent as I have had experiences with children and adults who have autism. I did however expect that Barb would feel trapped inside her autism and feel as though it hindered her personality and intelligence from coming out. She felt the exact opposite. Barb explained through her writing that she believed that autism was a benefit to her. This sentiment blew me away. Barb is not dealing with a condition she is working through her position, and that is a powerful message.

One thing that spoke to me directly was when Barb's "SS" was talking about medicating away creativity and entrepreneurship and said that as teachers, if a student needs to be mobile or stimulated to learn, we should let them be that. Because I agree with this statement,  when I begin to teach my goal will be to have "my space" be a place where students feel comfortable and can learn in whatever way works best for them. If a student in my class needs to move to learn, I cannot fathom why anyone would stop that.

I enjoyed this presentation and I think it really opened eyes about the capabilities of those we so often say are incapable.

Post #10

After looking at table 2.2 on page 51 and considering the content relevant to grades 9-12, I believe that the strategies mentioned would be very helpful. One strategy that I think is necessary to education, and that I would certainly use is the use of academic vocabulary that is necessary to the course. This would help as it would help to build the already expansive vocabulary of my students. 

Another strategy that I would insist upon using regardless of how tedious it may seem to my students, is the insistence that all students use the correct words. By this I mean if a student mistakenly uses a word that has a different meaning or that they have simply misunderstood, I would correct them. I would not do this in a condescending way nor would I attempt to embarrass them, instead I would simply establish that in my classroom grammar is important, just as it is in the real world.

Beyond simple grammar and insistence on correct word choice I would also ask my students to find the meaning of certain readings done in class. As a history teacher, I would expect my student's to read some historical writing and explain what information can be learned from what is and what is not written. I would do this because I believe inference into the text is a very important aspect of education and that students can benefit from it in all situations.

One strategy that I have never considered but that I will use based on the table on pg 51 relates to the use of native languages at certain times. The table suggest that students use their native language in informal conversations but use standard English in formal classroom settings. I believe that I would do this as students need to be able to speak their native language for comfort and to stay close to their culture, however proper English is important in the classroom. Therefore I would encourage the use of English and only allow or rather promote the use of a native language in certain situations

Using these strategies I believe that I will be able to best help my students in the classroom as it relates to language and vocabulary.