Relection on Group 9 presentation 4-28

Today we learned about chapter 13 which is instruction in today's schools. I thought that the presentation was very well organized and interesting. The video shown was really a different way of showing the different ways of instructing and well not instructing. The video did mention a little how good technology can be for students, but most of it was saying was that we need to get them away from technology. I disagree with this because i feel that technology is a very helpful tool and can really be used to better students, that is to say if its used the correct way. Specially with special ed students i feel that technology can really help these students see things that otherwise they wouldnt be able to see. I the group had a lot good of information that really effects us future teachers.

Final Blog The letter to the editor!

Dear Editor of the Star Tribune:

I am writing you because my class at St. Cloud State University wants us to get involved in speaking out about education since all of us in the class are planning on becoming future teachers. To get involved as teachers you cant just accept change sometimes you have to stand up and fight for it. There are many passionate issues to talk about with such a broad subject as education but I found out one that I am very passionate about that is really taking us by storm. With the recent deaths from the two teenage girls in Marshall, Minnesota teens committing suicide from being bullied, this is one topic that we must address before we lose more lives. Bullying has always been around in schools but students today are really going out of the way to torture their fellow students. I feel that parents and teachers need to say something if they are witness to this cruel stuff. However, it really needs for the students themselves to stop bullying itself. They need to stand up together and to say this is wrong and we need to put a stop to this. Everyone in the world is different but that’s what makes each one of us special. We need to start treating people how we in return would like to be treated. I recommend that every student from 6^th grade on should watch the documentary bullied which really puts bullying into perspective and how hurtful it can be and how it can ruin someone’s life.  We need to stop this epidemic before we lose more of our precious student’s lives. To be a teacher you must really have a passion for learning and using your heart so why is it that are students are not getting the message of using your heart. We need to try harder to show kindness to our students. We are role models and have to start acting like it. Thank you for your time listening and for writing such a wonderful paper and letting me give this cause a voice.
From your reader,

Elias Hoversten

Reflection on class from 4-26

Today we went on kind of a class field trip to the St. Cloud State science bus. It was very funny at first because the whole class was waiting in the husky hub for the teacher because it was raining and she came pulling up 10 minutes later saying i had been looking for you everywhere and how could i lose a whole class. After we all got into the bus i was shocked at how big it really was and how many students they have in their at one time. i think they said 36 to 45 is the most they have ever had which is quite amazing. It was very amazing to see each little lab station and learn about what they do on the bus and then to actually perform the labs were very fan. It really is a good learning tool and gets kids out of the classroom and not have to travel to far to learn. I had a great time and suggests everyone should try it.

N.Y.U. to Establish a Degree-Granting Campus in Shanghai

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/28/nyregion/28nyu.html?ref=internationaleducation

I thought that this article was very different but very interesting and i was schocked that school were starting to do this. I think its a very good idea in such a global economy and will really give students more advantages with learning especially those students that would like to learn more about a country but not from a text book. This student i think will be able to gain more about China from actually living there and experiencing it first hand. With so many Chinese immersion programs in the states this will outpost will help these students that are very interested in the culture and have gone to China but not been able to stay longer.

House Bill on Student Testing Reopens a Familiar Debate

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/us/17ttstudents.html?_r=1&ref=education

I though that this article was interesting and showed a very different aspect of education and that is through the government. Both sides agree about the topic but the way it is going to be put into action and what it will require has both sides disagreeing and in fact they have been in a disagreement for quite some time. I think that the whole testing issue needs to be looked at and reformed ever since no child left behind has been put into play our country has struggled to keep up with the rest of the world with are grades. In fact Finland who has no tests has the best grades in the world so whatever there doing is right and we need to learn something from them.

Chapter 6 The Youth Edge in Education Nation

The five key points from this chapter are:
1. For Students to use their technological prowess to help teachers teach.
2. Asking a student for help is a sign of weekness has to be broken down.
3. The technology being used today is so advanced that previous generations are having a hard time catching up.
4. Only 4 periods in last 500 hundred years where media has changed enough to qualify being called a revolution.
5. There are few precedemts for giving students more responsibility for the operatings of the classroom.

Reflection on Group 8 Presentation 4-21

Today group 8 presented on chapter 10 dealing with productive learning management. The group did a very good job presenting had a lot of visuals, spoke very clearly, had tons of very good information. Each member of the group knew their materal very well and was very comfortable with it. The information given to us even though they didnt intend it too gave us a little background for are up coming papers on what are room structure for teacher should be like with the explination of one teacher hoice for her room to tables instead of desks and no over head lights but lamps. The videos during the presentation kept the class focused and attentive.