Brain Learning Log

What?    

This week in class I've learned what the reticular activating system was and how it is so important, because it is what effects if you remember or not. It also effects motivation, learning, and self-esteem, which are all very important to be having go on if a child is to learn. I never knew or heard of synaptic pruning and found out that it is when synaptic connections weaken or degenerate. It seemed that synaptic pruning would be a bad thing but it isn't it helps clear them aside, so functioning synapses can move faster. Without learning about the brain teaching can't work well you need to know what is going on and how each child makes connections through their preferred process. While having in class lecture I learned a new skill used for teaching and it's called RAD. R stands for reticular activating system, A stands for amygdala, and D stands for dopamine, which is a feel good transmitter. Researchers have said this is a good formula for students to learn the most. Their reticular activating system, memory, and the chemical release all need to be used in order for the technique to work. Some strategies that help use this technique are physical activity, music, fun, peer interaction, and using the students prior knowledge. Through instructing students their brains can be molded and changed to act smarter.

So what?  

This topic of the brain is important for me to know about, as a future teacher, in that each student will have a brain that learns differently from all the others. I'll need to incorporate different learning techniques into lessons, so each child progresses. Also since brains can be molded I want to help them by teaching correct principles and not molding them the wrong way, or creating bad habits. If we should use prior knowledge and include experiences where they are fully emerged and then their high level thinking skills will grow. The brain is include in the syllabus to teach us its importance and how everything in teaching comes back to the foundation, the brain. This will help be to be a better teacher, because I will make sure each child understands concepts even if their way is different then others. I want each child to love learning, not get lost, and believe in themselves.

Now What?

I will use this information about the brain in future teaching to look back every time and learn something new. I need to relate it all back to my classroom and students so that they understand how they learn. I will continue to read information on the brain and about how children learn best. The RAD teaching technique fascinates me and I want to read up on it and find how it is working and what type of teachers instruct it best. I want to include this technique someday in my classroom and I'll will try to research more about the brain and its amazing abilities.

Final Reflection Blog: what? so what? now what?

What?

I have learned that educational research is important in all aspects. It tests areas around you as a teacher and it is constantly giving up to date information and facts. Descriptive research is just studying current situations in and about where you live. It shows the way things are and is the first step in any scientific process. Correlational research is a research where two items are compared. It is a research that is used in everyday life. You can see which variable out weighs the other and look at their differences to see why. You can see the information given and predict why the outcome is what it is. Even though the problem isn't shown and you can't see why it's there.

Experimental research shows that different variables have a cause and effect. And usually one variable is changed and has an effect on the other. In scientific research it is documented in graphs or charts. Unlike any other it has a direct starting and ending point. You have to realize that other factors can play a role and may be the reason the research turn out a certain way. Action research is the one out of the four that relates directly to any teacher. It helps find reasons for issues at school and how they can be fixed. This will in turn effect the students work, learning, and school atmosphere.

So what?

I  feel that the importance of what I've learned about educational research is mostly in how I'll apply it. You can use it when you need to write research papers or give a speech about statistics. It plays a big part in our world and its good to know each type of research and what each one shows. This way you can look a chart and say "Ok they are comparing these different stocks based on their interest rate." If you want to stay up to date with the news of this world we need to know educational research. Action research is increasingly important since it deals with the field I want to be a part and make a difference in. By reading and studying it will help me as a teacher be more prepared and cautious to certain circumstances. We can also do our own action research if we have a stirring problem and record notes in our class journals. Not just about our students, but about our lessons and if they are helping them to grow or make the problem worse. Also with different management techniques and which ones they respond to all these things are important to apply to you and your future classes.

Now What?

As I reflect about what I need to still learn about educational research it's hard for me to gage. I don't know everything that is out there and of what benefits they could be to me. I think I need to learn a lot more about action research, because I know it will benefit me when I become a teacher. I need to try and find connections that can apply to me and the future schools I work at. It would be good information to know before choosing where you feel you should teach, and its data on the environment and school background.

Why am I here?

 I'm here at UVU because I wanted to be away for my college experience, but still be close to home. I feel the reason I'm doing elementary education is because of my love of children and desire to help them. Ever since I can remember, I have had a connection with children and feel they start to trust me immediately. With service being one of my passions, I have seen children who don't have the opportunity to go to school to learn. I've seen how this affects them socially and environmentally. This has sparked something inside of me to help children love to learn and reach their potential. I believe we have the opportunity to become anything we can imagine.

What motivates me?

I am motivated by focusing on others and helping people feel loved, by seeing single mothers with children getting degrees, and by wanting children from all walks of the earth to succeed in learning to help themselves and their families. Love and the excitement that children have are the things that motivate me.

Why do I succeed?

I succeed because I'm constantly pushing myself and won't stop. I have a hard work ethic and like the feeling of completing something difficult. My upbringing and the values I've been taught also play a role. Serving others and not expecting something in return makes me feel I've done some good.

Why do I fail?

I fail through fear, vulnerability, lack of self-esteem, and not thinking I'm qualified enough.

How do I need to change my motivations and mindset for this class in order to become a great teacher?

I feel I need to be able to trust my instincts and know that I can eventually become a great teacher. I also need to remember that after putting in hard work and personality it will be worth every minute. 

 

Educational Psychology Course Contract

The three specific goals I have for this course are: 

• To complete the course knowing more about how children think and how I can teach them better.
•  To learn more about myself and what kind of teacher I want to be. 
• To continue changing my mindset knowing that everything I do can make me grow and improve to become the kind of teacher I want to be.

My weekly preparation plan for this class is to start on the assignments right when they are given, so I won't be stressed waiting until the last minute to complete them. Also I'll read the assigned chapter before class, so I know what is going to be covered that day. At the same time while reading the chapter I'll make flash cards of the vocabulary terms to study until the test comes up. If I have questions or concerns I'll first ask my study group on Thursdays and if I can't find my answer there I'll contact the professor.

The study strategies I'll be using will be the 4 R's to help me really comprehend the text and get something out of it. Another strategy I'm going to use is a study group throughout the week to go over what we have learned in the chapter and to talk about the information and assignments given. Flash cards are my other study strategy to review the terms of psychology in relation to education.

The process I'll take if I don't understand a topic, will be, to try and solve it myself first and if not, ask the other girls in the cohort if they understand the topic I'm struggling with.

I will reach my goals in this course by pushing and stretching myself to get everything done, making the information internally meaningful, and participating fully to learn from what's taught.