How Do You Teach a Multiculteral Classroom?

When teaching a class it is important to remember that every action you make is setting an example for the students. How we act torwards each individual students is recognized by the students of the class. No matter what the ethnic background everyone is an individual. In an article by Penn State says, "Consider some of the aspects that combine to make up who we are as individuals: our age, gender, ethnicity, race, intellectual ability, socio-economic level, language, culture, education, religion, birthplace, where we grew up, learning styles, multiple intelligence preferences, personality types, hobbies and interests, career paths, values, etc. etc. etc. Take all this, mix it up in the classroom, and you can't help but have a very different experience each time you start with a new class". This article gives a great insights as to how a teacher should conducts his or her classroom. It breaks the multicculteral classroom into eight main ideas.

1.As a teacher you bring life to the class.
2.Watch for how assumptions are made about students and the right way to treat others.
3. Indtuduce your students to the possabilies of thinking about their actions. Have your own actions be a representation of how to act.
4.Introduce rigor.
5.Speak out againsnt inappropriate comments that are made towards students.
6.Do not have facorites in the classroom.
7.Support all languages in the classroom with caring.
8.Using groups to help introudece the students ideas to eachother.

The main focus in the classroom is not that it is diverse but that there are students who are willing to learn and need guidance to do so. As an educator there is no difference in the treatment of students based on their ethnic background.

http://www.personal.psu.edu/scs15/idweb/multicultural.htm

Janelle's Declassified Classroom Survival Guide

As teachnology advances, it becomes more prominant in the classroom. This proposes the question, Should children be exposed to teachnolgy in the classroom?

 

This has been a debated topic for quite some time now, and my assessement of it is that we do need technology in the classroom. As knowledge becomes more readily available to the general public through the use of mobile devices and internet children should have exposure to what type of knowledge they can access. In and article from the New York Times stated "The digital push here aims to go far beyond gadgets to transform the very nature of the classroom, turning the teacher into a guide instead of a lecturer, wandering among students who learn at their own pace on Internet-connected devices." As a teacher I think it is important to adapt to the ever changing teachering-world". I feel that although some of the tests do no show a major increase in the test scores, it is still a learning process for everyone. The studetns, the teachers, and technology companies are all striving to better delopments in the software and devices themselves. The type of knowledge that they will be gaining will better the students for the their future where without a doubt there will be much more uses of teachnology in terms of jobs and general life.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/technology/technology-in-schools-faces-questions-on-value.html?pagewanted=1&_r=4&sq=educationandtechnology&st=cse&scp=1



Those Who Cant Do, Teach

As students progress through the education program it is easy to doubt, "why am I doing this" or "why do I even want to teach". Then suddenly it hits them...it is because they want to be a positive influence and inspire children to want to be active participants in society. Thinking back to your own elementary or high school years, there was probably that one teacher. That one teacher who helped you look at learning in such a way as to even make it enjoyable.

When deciding if teaching is right for you there is some information that must be considered and is a great demontration of the devotion that U.S teachers have. Research has been conducted and shows that U.S teachers are more devoted to the time and effort that they put into their students. It has been reported from an article from the New York Times that the average U.S. teacher spends almost 1,000 teaching hours! This is the highest country reported from 2007. In comparison they are 11th in terms of pay. These statistics are not meant as a deterent for students to want to become teachers, but they are a way to demontrate a teaher's love of his or her job.

This information shows the type of requirements that a teacher needs in order to be as succesful as the teachers are today. Long hours and low pay are nothing compared to the most rewarding part of teaching, which is the ability to observe adolescene in the most crucial part of development and to be able to make a difference for the child.
Information found from: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/teacher-pay-around-the-world/

About Me

Hello everyone! I am Janelle Hibbard, an elementary education major at Salem State University.  I am currently a sophomore.  This blog is to organize my thoughts for my online Premise of School class.  I work at a learning center in Saugus part time and I love it!  Working with children is one of the most rewarding jobs you could have.  Throughout high school I wanted to become an interior designer.  When I was looking at colleges my career decision completely changed.  I decided I wanted to work with children, they can always put a smile on my face. I believe you should do what makes you happy in life.  I am excited to begin this course and keep blogging!  

This is my good friend and roommate, Jill and me. I am on the right.