Atomic learning

We were recently introduced to a program called Atomic Learning in SPED 200. This program gives you tutorials, workshops, and project based step by step directions on how to do things that surround academics. This program gives you tutorials on how to write a paper using the APA format or how to create, maintain and use a blog. This program is something that is really helpful. Its like a google that gives you all the answers for questions right at your finger tips. If you have a question on how to run or work a program just look it up in Atomic learning and chances are there is something there that can help you out. This is a really great tool to have as a teacher. When trying to incorporate new technology in the classroom, running all these programs can be difficult. But having a program like Atomic learning will make the transition easier. Or even right now students who are trying to better understand technological devices or programs have a step by step tutorial right at their finger tips instead of spending hours trying to figure it out for themselves. I that this program will come in handy the next time I have a question about anything from writing papers to figuring out how to use a certain website. This is a really great resource to be familiar with.

New Education Bill in England

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12287014

In this article England is going through a reform in their education. One aspect is that they are raising the interest on student loans. But here is the kick they are raising the interest on the loans of students who are high earning graduates .So you go to school and are in a way being punished with higher interest on your student loans. So the more you make the more interest you pay. So in a round about way the more effort and money you put in your education, comes back as you having to pay more interest. Do you believe that you should be punished for furthering your education? 

Education Secretary: Minnesota Can Do Better

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/01/21/education-secretary-duncan-speaks-in-minneapolis/

This article fits very well with what we have been covering the last two weeks of class. The article talks about how Minnesota is doing well with our educational success, there is one area Minnesota is struggling in. There is an educational gap between Racial minorites and white students. Other states have found ways to shrink this gap, although no state has figured out a way to eliminate the gap. The education secretary Arne Duncan, says that Minnesota needs to find ways to make intellegent people teachers. Which that bill is going through congress right now.
After this article it makes me think that now more then ever we need to find ways to get talented and smart individuals into the classroom to make an impact on these kids. It isn't that Minnesota is doing a bad job teaching its students, the state just needs to find more effective means for teaching to all diveristies of children. Minnesota being one of the heaviest states for refugees to call home, has to deal with this issue. It isn't something that is going to go away. The state needs to find programs or cirriculm that will work for both the miniorites and white students in all our public schools. If the state dosent do something soon the gap between the students could get bigger rather then smaller. Minnesota needs to find a ways to minimize the gap look at other states and see what they are doing. Or come together and develop a system that gives the chance for every child in the public school system in Minnesota the same chance to succeed.

Freedom Writers

In the movie Freedom Writers a young teacher named Erin Gruwell, learns to grow and overcome many obstacles in the classroom. At the beginning Erin comes in with a mindset that this is going to be traditional. That it is going to be the perfect classroom setting. She hopes that she can teach these kids, while using a more conventional way of teaching. Erin is soon faced with a harsh reality. That these kids come from all walks of life and school isn’t their biggest obstacle. She soon finds a strong tension is very obvious in the classroom. They all belong to different gangs or affiliations, staying out of jail and being able to see the age of 18 are much more a reality for these kids. As one of the projects they are assigned is a journal. She has them write down all there hardships or thoughts in this journal, promising the kids that she will be the only one to read it. After reading these journals, she realizes the different paths these kids live. Because each student had their own set of problems, teaching them was hurdle Erin must overcome. The kids realized how the public school system worked; they were passed from one teacher to the other with barely passing grades. That way they were the next teacher’s problem. They didn’t engage in school they just went through the motions of the day and barely picked up anything new. Their attitudes toward school are in direct correlation with how well they did grade wise. Both were negative.

Erin used a technique she had to go back a few steps and learn about each other before they could learn. She had them all move their desks and she would ask a question and they would have to walk to the middle if they liked or agreed with the statement she said. After the kids looked and realized all their classmates standing besides them. The class soon realized they may be from different walks of life but they are all facing the same problems. The kids in the class started to show respect towards Erin. Once Erin had their trust she soon started teaching books that related to the kids. That was Erin’s ticket in getting these kids to listen and partake in reading. It was picking books that they could relate to, and also getting them new materials. She faced many challenges with the other teachers at the school. They looked at her class of misfits, with the attitude that they will never amount to anything. They are just all going to end up in jail, a gang or dead on the streets. It was Erin against everyone. She had to prove to her students that they were worth something. The kids have been passed from one teacher to another without one teacher ever really caring. It took Erin’s passion for these kids to succeed that drove her to work extra jobs for new materials. And show the other teachers that these kids aren’t incompetent they just needed to feel like they mattered and that they had the same chance as everyone else at the school. Erin expected the best out of her students and pushed to students to do their best. And for some this is the first time an adult stepped in and forced them to do better in their education. It was her driving force behind the kids that made them believe. She was their sturdy figure in their lives. They called there class a family and for some students that was the most family they had.

After watching this movie, I found some lessons I can use. The facts that she drove her students and made them believe in themselves, when they even didn’t. That’s hard to do, and she did it in unique ways she got them to break down their barriers for an hour a day and accept everyone. So if I can take away the fact that every teacher must push their kids to do the best that they can. And never ever give up on a child, they must realize their full potential.

alternative teacher licensure

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=900178

The bill that they are proposing, will make it easier for people to become teachers. And even ease restrictions that are already in place for college grads. I understand by doing this it will be easier to fill the shortages and welcome the idea for more diverse classrooms. But easing the restrictions on college grads? This is what they are going to school for, they are not easing the restrictions in any other areas of study. Why wouldn't you want the college grads teaching your kids to go through all required steps or having those steps be any easier. Most who enter this field want to be prepared. This lies in what we pick up during our education at any given university. And if there is a chance that they could be going easy on us, then what happens when were not prepared?

Why I want to become a teacher

My name is Alexa Schneider and I am taking a Special Education course through St. Cloud State University. The question was asked "Why do you want to become a teacher?" My answer to that is, doing this job is something different each day. It won't be the same day in and day out. There will be many new challenges, and it will give me an oppurtunity to make a difference in some childs life. However big or small it may be.