What aspects of classrooms and metaphors about them tend to disable students?
Name:
Username: Anonymous
Subject: classroom culture
Date: 2002-07-31 10:40:17
Message Id: 2429
Comments:
1. "ghetto" background 2.Allen Iverson mentality, but without his money.
Name: Tom
Username: mrwit@prodigy.net
Subject: Class room culture
Date: 2002-07-31 10:44:07
Message Id: 2430
Comments:
I have one or two students in each of my classes who really, really, really do not want to be there. I seem to spend more than half of my time and efforts dealing with these students.
Name: Tunde and Tola.
Username: tunatol@yahoo.com
Subject: Disabled students
Date: 2002-07-31 10:45:58
Message Id: 2431
Comments:
The structure of the Small Learning Communities in my school makes it difficult for students to learn and sometimes , I would believe this actually disables them. For example I believe students in a science class should belong in a small learning community that will involve them excusively so that experiences like field trips will not be a complex arrangement which may deter the teachers from engaging in them.
Also there are so many rules and laws that in my opinion disable students in my classroom. Such will include permission slips for any kind of outing and the beurocracy invoved in exposing kids to learning experiences outside of the classroom. I can also relate to the problem of insufficient materials for the use of students in classroom. In these days of technology expo. I cannot imagine a classroom with only one computer for the use of 30 students. This kind of lack disables them.
Name:
Username: Anonymous
Subject: Culture of Education
Date: 2002-07-31 10:46:27
Message Id: 2432
Comments:
I feel that in some cases society(experts) have placed ideas in the heads
of students,teachers,parents,etc. that impede teachers from being able to do their jobs. As an example,the "self image".People should feel good about
themselves but this feeling should come from something positive that they have done/contributed not just because they are here on the planet.
Teachers are not valued in our society by the powers that be or by those
they teach.
Name: Charles
Username: Anonymous
Subject: Classroom culture
Date: 2002-07-31 10:50:29
Message Id: 2433
Comments:
One of the biggest problems in my classroom is the expectation of that the children are expected to understand a specific group of guidelines and standards established by the state and school district. It is extremely difficult to develop students that are critical thinkers because it is very tempting to just simply teach the test. The students who are the most comfortable taking standardized test are the students who are valued more than those who may actually be analytical.
Name: RaMona
Username: rwarner@ucwphilly.rr.com
Subject: Culture/Education
Date: 2002-07-31 10:50:40
Message Id: 2434
Comments:
Many of my students do not value their education because their parents do not stress the fact that school or learning is important. This disables the student because they don't feel that education is valuable. The few parents that stress education in their household produce higher achievers. The behavior that is displayed in the classroom is unbelievable. My biggest problem in the classroom is discipline. When poor behavior is displayed (every 5-10 minutes) I must sometimes stop to write it down, correct or warn the students, write pink slips, remove the student, etc. This disrupts lessons on a daily basis.
Name: Sharon Lee
Username: Anonymous
Subject: Cultures of education
Date: 2002-07-31 10:51:23
Message Id: 2435
Comments:
There are several disabling factors within our educational system:Lack of materials.Class size.Continuous Interruptions.Lack of continuity.Disruptive students. The continuous need for relative prpofessional development sessions the are planned with the entire staff.The parental envolement.The need for MORE male teachers.
Name:
Username: Anonymous
Subject: Culture
Date: 2002-07-31 10:54:30
Message Id: 2436
Comments:
It's tough to preserve the culture in a school which is resistent to change. Sometimes innovative strategies, new ideas, recommemdations, and "green" personnel create a power struggle when the "run of the mill plan" has met its demise. Therefore persons other than the "one in charge" bring forth differentiated styles, plans, strategies, and best practices that will foster improvement from the instructional leader down to the collaborative teams within a school.
Because of innovative strategies implemented and proven successful in my former professional career leadership limitations have stifled my progression.
Name: carolyn fitchett
Username: carolynfc3@aol.com
Subject: diversity and evolution
Date: 2002-07-31 10:55:20
Message Id: 2437
Comments:
The culture in my classroom that disables students is basically the size of the class with a wide ability range,limited space for differentiated instruction and support materials ( such as computers for instructions).
Name: Marita Wagner
Username: Anonymous
Subject: cultural disabilities
Date: 2002-07-31 10:58:14
Message Id: 2438
Comments:
Structured environment of formal schooling limits students' physical movements, creativity, and independence. The culture of our society keeps children dependent. It forces them to be "non-adults" for an extended period. Age-track system isolates students from the rest of society. Classroom system may force a pace of learning that may be inappropriate for those at the extreme ends. Self-esteem difficulties surrounding school performance may have a negative influence on a child's attitude toward learning. Only certain skills may be valued in the school setting and a particular child may never optimize a skill that he might otherwise have excelled at. Conformity is emphasized.
Directives, demands and restrictions by the state or administration limit teachers' options.
Name: Randal
Username: kr092389@aol.com
Subject: Culture Clashing
Date: 2002-07-31 10:58:30
Message Id: 2439
Comments:
For many of my African-American students, the pursuit of education as a means of acquiring personal successs exists solely as a countercultural concept. Achieving a comfortable level of personal success is held in the highest regard by most. However, it's widely felt that expending energy in the educational arena is simply not the way to realize this goal. In fact, many are often virtually ostracized if they publicly choose education as their venue. It sometimes strikes me as being quite odd that the perception is for one to be academically superior is equated with being socially inferior. Now, this is not unique unto my community of students. However, I have found it to be far more prevalent and dominant than in other communities.
Name: Charles Foster /Lois Mackey
Username: Anonymous
Subject: Classroom culture
Date: 2002-07-31 11:05:20
Message Id: 2440
Comments:
One of the biggest problems in my classroom is the expectation of that the children are expected to understand a specific group of guidelines and standards established by the state and school district. It is extremely difficult to develop students that are critical thinkers because it is very tempting to just simply teach the test. The students who are the most comfortable taking standardized test are the students who are valued more than those who may actually be analytical.
Charles
Another big problem is disruptive behavior because of some servere emotional diabilities, and these students needs are unable to be address appropiately because of failure from the educational system to get them properly placed in a timely like fashion. A situation of this nature disable the classroom teacher in being productive toward the needs of their other students in the classroom during these disruptive times. Unfair to the students, as well as unfair those students who are responsible for the chaos in the classroom.
Lois
What new metaphor might help to better able-ize students in your classroom?
Name: Tom
Username: mrwit@prodigy.net
Subject: New metaphor
Date: 2002-07-31 11:55:06
Message Id: 2441
Comments:
I'm not satisfied with my original metaphor. I'm adopting a new metapor of a clown in a circus. Using more humor to overcome some of the resistance I'm meeting from a few of my students might be more efective than fighting fire with fire.
Name: Marita Wagner
Username: Anonymous
Subject: new metaphor
Date: 2002-07-31 12:00:23
Message Id: 2442
Comments:
My new metaphor in response to the question of self-esteem and lack of diversity in self-development is one where the teacher is a barber or beautician, the student is the client in the chair and the classroom is the mirror held up to the student so he can view his accomplishments, self-worth, personal strengths and potential.
Name: Claudette Stone
Username: Anonymous
Subject: New Fish Story
Date: 2002-07-31 12:02:28
Message Id: 2443
Comments:
The way out of the disabling culture is to step out on faith and exercise options which can be embedded into the existing culture of a school. There are those who are leaders and those who are managers. Effective leaders have the ability to pursue a vision, inspire and secure followers of the vision to meet success. Managers run the risk of demonstrating leadership in a manner that limits collaboration, partnerships and the ability to secure followers that can share and implement the vision for a successful school.
Try reading "Who Moved the Cheese"?--- new metaphor
Name: Jerry
Username: Anonymous
Subject: culture problems
Date: 2002-07-31 12:02:35
Message Id: 2444
Comments:
Problem; Class size Teacher=Boss Classroom=Company Students=Employees Groups of students= Different dept. within the company,therefore, small learning groups are established,but still under the teacher's direction.
Name: Tunde and Tola.
Username: tunatol@yahoo.com
Subject: NEW METAPHORS FOR THE CLASSROOM
Date: 2002-07-31 12:03:26
Message Id: 2445
Comments:
INSUFICIENT MATERIALS:
The metaphor of the classroom being a garden with all kinds of plants as the students and the teacher as the sprinkler in the hand of the gardener can be used to explain how the teacher can regulate or redistribute the limited resources in the classroom to enable each plant to have enough water to survive.
BEHAVIOR CHALLENGES:
If the teacher is viewed as a guard in a correctional facility which is the classroom then the students will be seen as the inmates in that facility. It's the job of the guards and other correctional officers to maintain order and discipline in the facility. In the case of students who exhibit behavior challenges this metaphor will be most appropriate.
Name: Randal
Username: kr092389aol.com
Subject: New metaphor
Date: 2002-07-31 12:04:43
Message Id: 2446
Comments:
I am pretty comfortable with my original metaphor. The one thing I would like to add is that the library exists in a university setting. However, it was the only structure damaged by the Earthquake. Nevertheless, university administrators still expect it to function efficiently. Given the building's existing condition, this is just not a possibility. As the librarian, I continue to give a game effort but I am really just swimming upstream. (but at least I am swimming)
Name: RaMona
Username: rwarner@ucwphilly.rr.com
Subject: Metaphors
Date: 2002-07-31 12:05:05
Message Id: 2447
Comments:
Another metaphor for the classroom is a tank. The children are grouped together in a specific section. The students are the fish swimming around looking for knowledge. They will not survive without water hence, the teacher. This teachers allows the students to explore and to collaborate with their peers.
Name:
Username: Anonymous
Subject: New metaphors
Date: 2002-07-31 12:05:37
Message Id: 2448
Comments:
Majority of the metaphors are ones that I would personally adopt. But since I have got to go with just one, then I will chose coach as teacher, team as classroom, and the students as players. Why? A coach is one that gives their team the instruction on how to be successful team players. They teach them that a winner is not one who always win the game, but one who excel in being the best that they can.Our students do not need to be may to feel that they must be competative in order to be a winner.
Lois
Name:
Username: Anonymous
Subject: Metaphors of Education
Date: 2002-07-31 12:07:49
Message Id: 2449
Comments:
I was amazed to hear the number of different interpretations that we used to
describe our classrooms and our ideas about education. I however, am not sure that I can use my metaphor to solve any of the disabilities that I encounter each day or have encounterd over these 321/2 years. I do feel that using humor helps to make it all more bearable.
My metaphor was the teacher as the clown in the classroom Big Top with the
students as the audience ready to learn and experience all that the Big Top has to offer.
Name: carolyn fitchett
Username: carolynfc3@aol.com
Subject: bridging cultures
Date: 2002-07-31 12:08:39
Message Id: 2450
Comments:
A metaphor for my class,that will eliminate disabilites is "first drone--colony of bees-drone." We share responsibility for rigorous learning, sharing innovative ideas , critical thinking and demonstrating education. All are constant workers. However, the first drone is responsible for faciliting content.
Name:
Username: Anonymous
Subject: New Metaphors
Date: 2002-07-31 12:11:51
Message Id: 2451
Comments:
The metaphor " nurse to patient", stands out for me as remedy for the many disabilities within our educational system.We could perhaps,tap our resources within the community for various outreach programs.In addition,we could be more adamant about the need for helpful professional development sessions.
Name: Charles
Username: Anonymous
Subject: New Metaphors?
Date: 2002-07-31 12:13:50
Message Id: 2452
Comments:
I still feel comfortable with coach metaphor. As I have already stated a coach is an authority figure who plans, organizes and encourages the players to strives to always do their best for a common goal.
