Bridgett Ellis

EDUC 1500

Blog 6:Reflecting on Privilege

What is privilege? What is bias? Privilege is a special right, advantage or available only to a particular person. To be biased is to have a prejudge in favor or against one thing, someone or to compare a group to another.

In today’s world, we experience and undertake in bias or privilege situations in our daily lives. We many not realize this encounters until we come face-to-face with them. I understand that we live in a world, where there are drawbacks but that should limit goals. In the Diggin Deep assignment, where we continue with our daily life, but also, write down experience we have with privilege or bias. This small encounter will help me realize the bias that I have, the opportunity that I receive and the disadvantages that I would happen because of privilege. It a great assignment for anyone to do, to understand where they stand in society.

As an African-American raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota  I know that there will be some disadvantages, I will face because of bias and privilege. I went to schools that were very diverse in cultures, races, and religions. With all the diversity I was surrounded by, schools didn’t really educate student much about bias and privilege, it wasn’t until high school that I learned about it. My high school social studies teacher was the first person in the education system to teach me about privilege and what it mean for me. Something that stood out is how he educated the class on the true, without trying the sugar code it.

In the field of education, we will encounter students of different races, cultures, and religions Everyone has biases and their own belief, but if you carry that into the class it will affect the way students will learn. I understand that every teacher has their own values, that’s what makes each classroom different and it would be difficult to just push them to the side. Instead of prejudging or giving special rights to a particular group, but allow students to create their own values and beliefs. This will help develop skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking.

Bridgett Ellis

EDUC 1500

Observation 3

At this time of my observation, I have completed the 15 hours. As I stated, Franklin Middle School is where I do my observation hours. Franklin is a 6-8 grade public school. I’m located it the 6th-grade math class. The reason I choose that area is because when was a student I enjoy math, especially middle school mathematics. In the Observation hours, I get to see how the classrooms are run and learn from the teachers.

The teacher of the math class really tries the relate to her students and make the class more stimulating than a typical math class. A moment that stood out was when one of the students was making noise, moving about and being disturbed during the silent work time. The teacher asks the student to come seat by her. Then, she started a conversation with the student asking him how his day was going, about his class and etc… As they were talking the student was doing his work. That moment stood out to me because the teacher didn’t push the student to the side by telling him to be quite. She interacted with the student and got him to refocus.

Another moment that resonated with me was a discussion I had with the teacher. We were talking about teaching and how to keep that same enthusiasm coming to this profession. She said, “The passion just redirect itself and the moment you start looking at this as just a job instead of a career, is the moment you lose that passion.” I believe that is true because people usually enter teaching for the money, they choose this profession to educate young minds.

As a student, I personally never agree with the standardized testing. I think that student shouldn’t be judged on the way they test because everyone test differently. When the student is testing in class they are allowed to have their notebook and a pencil. Something that is missing to the communication. Group test can be a helpful learning experience. Some students may not work well alone and I think it working in a group is a good way to share ideas with each other.

Bridgett Ellis

EDCU 1500

Observation 2

At this time of my observation, I have completed the ten hours. The observation hours take place in a 6th-grade math class. The educational philosophy, I believe that is being incorporated in the classroom is Realism. The educational goal of Realism is to observe reality regardless of human awareness. Also, to test and verify knowledge through skill demonstration. The teaching design of the class is very structured and informative. The teacher present the material on the smartboard, by explaining the work, showing examples and reviewing. After the lesson, it presented to the student they are usually asked to demonstrate their knowledge through homework or a class active. The teacher also draws from reality and integrate it into the lesson. With this element, the students are able to put their own twist on the assignment.   

Teachers are conducting the classroom and shaping the minds of young students. The teacher has an effective impact on the student's education. She gives helpful feedback to the student and guide them through their work. Something that stood out about the student-teacher is how she interact with each student differently. Some students are shy when it comes to speaking in front of the class and others are more outspoken. Another thing that I acknowledge is how she put them in small groups, so they can work through the problem together.

The physical layout reflects the teaching style of the classroom. The layout also demonstrates the educational philosophy. In the observation class, the students are facing the smartboard and the teacher’s desk is at the front of the class. On the walls there are posters of math examples, times tables and students work. An effective class arrangement is a setup that helps students thrive and perform their best.

Bridgett Ellis

EDCU 1400

Tech Toolkit

In this week of the tech toolkit, I choose a website that adds a new dynamic to projects. Creaza is an online website that brings student projects to the 21st century. Creaza is a learning and playful tool that will engage students. It will also promote collaborative work within the class. With many different possibilities, the website offer tools for brainstorming, create cartoons and editing video and audio. With hundred of activities, students will be able to be creative and playfully learn. This look would be a helpful benefit for students and teachers.

The four unique feature in this online tool is packed with curriculum-based content and activities. Mindomo is one of the features, the mind mapping tool can be helpful for visual learners. With the brainstorming, students will be able to create mind maps, that can be easily be turned into presentations. With Mindomo, students will organize and get an overview of their thoughts and ideas. The cartoonist feature will allow students to create a comic strip consisting of different characters, backgrounds, texts, and images. The cartoonist has a wide variety of themes with each content.

The movie editing is complete with professional titles, transitions, music, animation, narration, and effects. This will give a professional look to any project. With the movie editor, students can connect their cartoonist to create slide shows.

In the audio editing, students will have access to hundreds of integrated audio clips. They'll  be able to choose from both music from different genres and a large collection of sounds. The audio editor will record and mix sounds. Students can produce their own audio clips and soundscapes.

I think that this tech tool will add a new element to presentations. It also encourages collaboration within the classroom.  This website gives the students a chance to put their own creative spin on a project.

Bridgett Ellis

EDUC 1400

Tech Toolkit: Gradebook

The tech toolkit that I found this week is the Engrade grading system by McGraw-Hill Education. This tool is a great grading system for any teacher, who's looking to create their own grading system. Although most schools provide their own grading website, it may not work for everyone.  Every teacher teaches different, which means they may grade differently.  This is a free online grade book that offers many different characteristics.

On the site, you will start by creating an online profile, with your username and password. You’ll be able to sign up as a teacher of students. For teachers the first you’ll create a class using any subject. When creating the class, you’ll add the class name, grade level, school year and grade period. Then it asks what type of grade system will be used. You’ll be able to choose the traditional grade scale 100-90% is an A, 89-80 is a B, and etc... or you can create your own grading scale. When that finish you’ll add the name of students, then the class set up will be complete. The other characteristic this site is the attendance, performance review, and seating chart. With the performance review, teachers will be able to make commons on how each student is doing every day. This can be a helpful reminder that teachers can look back on to track the students development. Also, the seating can be very useful if a teacher is absent. The teacher can also add quizzes to the class site.

I think that this can be a helpful tech tool for many schools. It gives teachers a chance to have more academic freedom with the grading system. Also, is can beneficial if schools are have cut back since it’s a free online grade site.  

 

                           

Bridgett Ellis

3/18/16

 EDUC 1500

Blog 5: School Funding

School funding was the topic in this week of class. In the class discussion, I learn new interesting things about school funding.One of that thing were where does the funding come from. The school's general funding source is the Federal Government (4.2%), Local (12.7%) and State (83.1%). The thing that I found interesting about the federal government percentage because it seems they have a substantial influence on school districts. With the requirement of the standardized test another test from the federal government, I would think they would contribute more of a financial support.

It was also interesting to see how the funds are being used.  The fund is being distributed to student transportation (5.8%),  District Level (4.5%), Facilities, Operation and Maintenance (13.1%) and Instructor, Supplies (76.6%). To see the way the funds are distributed to schools and to hear about schools are cutting are some programs, was a hard thing to understand.

When I hear news about schools cutting programs such as music or other extracurricular activities but also being able to finance things for sports activities.  It makes me wonder how are the funds are really being distributed. While there's a growing need for funds, schools are often finding why to get financial support.  

Bridgett Ellis

Blog #4

Option #3 (Religion in Schools)

In this week of class, our group selected to talk about religion in school. In today's world, religion is one aspect that defines us. Religion in school had always been on the back burner. Schools often push religious away and sweep it under the rug. Schools don't often contribute religion because of they believe in will cause conflict. With 70% of Americans identifying as Christian, that does have an effect on our public school. Christianity any has greater attention than other religions in public school today. Although Christianity is at the forefront of public school, does that make America a “Christian Nation"? The first amendment to the United States prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion and impeding the free exercise of religion. With this first amendment, students are allowed to pray in school, as long as it doesn’t disrupt school activities. Students can also be dismissed from class for ritual prayer. In the education system, there are many different ways to incorporate religion into educational assignments and also following school district guidelines. Although religion can be a difficult subject to discuss, I believe that all religion should be equally endorsed or not at all. Students should feel that they are equals.