Quote: "To cope with the reality of not only technology but also immigration and new linguistic systems in our local worlds, we have to merge and mediate models that are both familiar and foreign...or comfortable and intimidating"
Comment: The reading discussed how we need to attempt to compromise and find familiar ground for all students, and new linguistic systems. It is important for us to relate to our students and make sure that they feel they are learning in a welcoming and comfortable environment.
Question: My question to you is, should we attempt to only teach students in a way they are comfortable and understand or should we attempt to teach students in different ways from what they are used to in order to better prepare them for the diverse world we live in? How do we find that balance?
I don't think it's necessarily that we need to teach only in the way they feel comfortable, but that we give them all the background information and help that they need. Like we talked about in management, a student should have choices, but drawing shouldn't necessarily always be a choice. They need to choose something that they feel is easiest or best for them, but at the same time they need to learn to write a story and not just draw pictures. We teach them how to survive in society, and they don't always get to choose exactly what they want to do. Compromises must always be made.
ReplyDeleteStudents should learn new ways that they aren't comfortable with. In Math 305, they showed us how to move students from blocks to pencil and paper by showing how the two methods related. I think that if we show students how the new way is as valuable as the way they are comfortable with, they will be willing to do it. Also, have them try new ways during the learning process, but don't have them try a new process on a test (keep assessments valid).
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