Reflective Journal #1
This week journal entry
will focus on cognitive development and how students learn. Throughout the
chapters there are several pieces of information that is vital to growth and development
of how students cope and learn.
Reflection:
After
reading this chapter on development it was evident that children as well as
adults learn differently and at different stages of their life. Growing up I would
always try to figure out why everyone was so different in class or why one
student behaved differently from the other. Even after becoming a teacher and
learning about different teaching and learning styles it was a wow moment for
me. It shows that everyone is different but similar information can be
attained. As a teacher the basis of the chapter simply states know your
students so that you can cater to their development and style of learning.
I
work with students of all ability levels which means I have to be sure to learn
my students. Piaget mentions scheme’s in chapter 2 which shows from the
beginning stages of life most children try to fit in. Children take what they
see and make it what they know. This is exactly what need to happen in the
classroom. I like to use real life examples because these are things the
students already know. When we can relate or develop our lasting scheme the information
can be put forth to learn more. This does not mean each idea is the same or
everyone will have the idea. Throughout the year I give several assignments
based on choice. These are called choice boards. These boards are used in a
variety of ways but they are definitely made of choice. This gives the
opportunity for that student to pick their familiar scheme and work with it.
In
my opinion Vygotsky has the best idea of development. I recently attended a
training, and this training was to assist with classroom zoning and behaviors.
I usually have no more than fifteen students in my classroom each block, but I wanted
to be sure to accommodate them all. I use several different grouping methods as
well as scaffolding. Vygotsky’s belief about zone of proximal development was a
major discussion during this staff development. Zone of Proximal Development is
a major use in the classroom. It is ok for teachers to lecture for short
periods and work with students, but students would rather work with their peers
to achieve their ending goal. Working with peers take away the factor of the
teacher is sitting with me and everyone knows that I am struggling. This also
works when I use students from one block to the next. There are several methods
in this chapter that will be put to use in my classroom. My ultimate goal is to
see growth and maturity in each student.
References
Slavin, R. E. (2015).
Educational psychology: Theory and practice (11th ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson Education.
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