Assignment 5, Recapping class thus far

So far in class, I have found it very helpful to learn about the variety of learning disabilities that students may have, and ways that we can recognize them as teachers, and work towards finding methods of teaching to support the student's learning better. I found that the videos we have watched have been very insightful, and made me aware of actions that one may have taken previously towards a child thinking they were helping, but were actually making the scenario worse. I found that the activity that we did in class, where learning disabilities were simulated by us wearing goggles, gloves, etc. was very beneficial in that it forced us to be in the shoes of the LD child. So often we say we understand what these children are going through, but don't really. This activity acted to heighten this awareness, and really think then about the ways we teach.

I have also found the videos and discussions about differentiated instruction to helpful, although a bit overwhelming too. I can see the benefits to these teaching styles, and while it all seems a lot to figure out now, I am eager to do it over time and gradually, as the results can only be positive for the students, and the teacher too, once the foundations are in place. Be prepared!!

I think that an area that I would like to see some brushing up on is some more discussion of the readings required form the text book. I found that the lecture last class was very helpful because it acted to clarify, and highlight the key areas in the readings. It answered a few questions for me, that I had not been 100% sure of on the first quiz. I really appreciate that the class is not all lecture, and recapitulation of readings, but also need it to be a bit more.

What I hope to see for the next portion of the semester is to be doing more learning more about specific learning needs of children, and our roles and "how to tips" if you will, as teachers in working with these children in order to provide them the best learning environment and strategies possible. I think this is where we are going with the Wiki assignments, so I am looking forward to the presentations.

Assignment #4 - Differentiated Instruction in Your Classroom

The first key area that I feel needs focus in a differentiated classroom, is that of classroom management. I think that it is quite obvious that there needs to be effective management and instruction methods put into place straight away in order to keep the room from becoming chaotic. Most important to this then, is that as a teacher, always know where you are going with the students, and how you are going to get them there. In other words, being prepared is key, and should help to avoid many management issues. In the video with Carol Tomlinson, we were shown how an elementarty teacher made the steps that students needed to follow very clear, and there were routines in place so as that the teacher need not be disturbed when working with select students. There were clear classroom rules, and students were well aware of when there could be talking or not, and the appropriate voice levels to be used. So then, I feel that it is vital to set up these perameters at the onset, and always be clear about all expectations so as to attempt to avoid management issues that can be!

Another factor that I feel is key in a differentiated classroom is that of assessment. We have seen how in a differentiated classroom, and any classroom really, it is so important to do a pre-assessment to get to know where your students are at. If this is not done, how can one accurately differentiate the lessons to fit the student's needs? I really appreciate the idea that fairnes in a classroom is not necessarily each student getting the same thing, but moreover, each one getting what they need. So, for me the whole idea of getting to know your students, and there various levles of interests and abilities is key to establishing proper lessons for them. As well, is the maintaining of assessment throughout the entire unit so that lessons can continue to be adapted and molded. Within this then, comes that ever famous word of FLEXIBILITY!

I feel that in order for a differentiated model to be carried out to its fullest potential in a classroom, there needs to be a strong sense of community within the class. Students are going to be continuously interacting and working with eachother and hence, it is key that competition is avoided, and the classroom is instead viewed as a place where everyone has a right and a responsiblity to grow. The teacher plays an enormous role in setting the climate for this, and maintaining it. I really liked in the video how the middle school teacher made sure that all students work was read aloud to the class at some point, either anonomously or by the student. The key was that ALL were recognized as valued contributors to the classroom. It is amazing how far small gestures can go to making somebodies day, and increasing their comfort levels amongst peers. And, shouldn't this be the type of behavior we model for our students, so that in turn they will do the same towards fellow students, and hopefully a closer sense of community within the classroom will evolve?

Assignment #3 John Elder Robison; Asperger Syndrome

John Elder Robison is an intelligent and very talented man, that seems to have spent much of his life being misunderstood, and outcasted, due to the fact that he has Asperger Syndrome, which was not known until he was an adult. When he was younger, people would accuse him of being shifty and evasive, and he was often scolded for not making eye contact with people when he was responding or talking to them.



Visual input was a distraction for John, that would create a challenge for him when he was trying to talk. These distractions would lead to him pausing or attempting to look away to somewhere neutral, so as to carry on with his thoughts. These are traits of Asperger's, however since the syndrome was not identified at the time, John would often find himself in trouble for doing these things.



John has many strengths too, such as things to do with technology, electronics, and the mechanics of things from guitars to specialized vehicles. So, while maintaining concentration during a conversation can be quite a task for John, working with fine details that demand the use of specific knowledge and fine motor skills come more naturally. I find this to be fascinating about Asperger's Syndrome. While John maintained a very successful mechanics business, and was a member of various bands, he mentions that he still feels that he always had some trouble 'fitting in'.

It is hard for me to imagine the emotions that John must have felt when he was originally diagnosed as having Asperger's. That is to say that I think that I would have some anger for all the years of being wrongfully accused and seemingly punished for actions that were both somewhat beyond my control, and more simply, misunderstood. I suppose one has to look at the context though. I find the story of John to be a special one in that he was a success before the realization of his Asperger's, and his awareness of it, and understanding of himself has not lead to anger, but in a constant furthering of himself.

As John's teacher, I would not have spent so much time and frustration on concerning myself with whether or not John was looking me in the eye when he was talking to me. For many people this proves to be a distraction, not to mention, it can be intimidating. I would discuss with John that if he found himself distracted when speaking, he could choose something in the room to focus on to help him maintain concentration, and not to be afraid to pause when needed. I think that this should be an option for all students. I would hope that I would be in tune to the fact that John was having trouble focussing, and try to discuss with him ways that we could work to eliminate distractors together, as well as techniques he could do to regain focus. Most important, I would not channel my energies on these small anomolies of John's, but concentrate instead on what he could and was doing, in order to foster confidence first, and carry on from there.

Assignment #2 Disabilities in Your Classroom

While I view the changes from isolated education towards and into inclusive classrooms settings as having many obvious benefits, I cannot help but have some great concerns and questions as well. I feel that an isolated school setting has the advantage of having specialized teachers working in a community of students with similar exceptionalities, and thus needs. Therefore, I feel that the students are given a better oportunity to have their exceptionalities dealt with by someone who completely understands the 'ins and outs' of them, while they are in an environment of people like themselves, so they do not have to feel uncomfortable about their learning needs. I do see how these teachers, and students are not really interacting with the rest of the social world, and definitely miss out due to this.

Mainsteaming then? I like the idea of a resouce room, and have seen them work very well in both my PSI and Ed. 2500 placements. The coming and going of students never seemed to create a disturbance to the rest of the class, however I'm sure it took much orchestrating to get to this point. I think that as a teacher, you have great control over how much attention is drawn to this, and should always try to work it so that students are not missing out on their favourite or obviously more enjoyable activities.

I agree that all students, with all exceptionalities have the right to be included in a regular classroom, but will admit that as a teacher the inclusion method is a bit daunting. While I will strive to model an inclusive community environment in my classroom, I am worried about how many adaptations one lesson can handle, and just how to do it. I am sure this will come through further experience though.

We are living in a diverse society, and so I feel we need to embrace that diversity on all levels in schools, where people spend so many of their foundation years. I am especially fond of the tolerance in students, that an inclusive classroom tends to build on, as well as respectful and responsible behaviors. I do not feel that I can make a clear list of the ways that I plan to implement the inclusion model in my classroom, until I have had more experience with students of varying exceptionalities. However, I can say that it is my intention to accomodate all students in the best way that I can, creating a sense of community in a classroom where students are both independant of others as well as interactive and accepting of one another.