Journal entries
Below are assignments I have submitted as part of my 3100 course, I hope you find them interesting to read and that they challenge your thought process to become open and allow for some self contemplation.
"I choose to learn, to constantly evolve, when I stop learning and stop teaching, when I am finished, I will have reached my full potential, for life will have left my body"
Henry Stavast
"I choose to learn, to constantly evolve, when I stop learning and stop teaching, when I am finished, I will have reached my full potential, for life will have left my body"
Henry Stavast
Category Two
“Adults are problem-centered, not subject-centered, and desire immediate, not postponed application of the knowledge learned” (p. 53)
Objective
This quote catches my attention because of the very clear explanation on how adult learners view information in order to learn. It is a very powerful quote when looked at for answers, telling teachers of adult students how we have to focus our lessons around explanations of relevance first, and then present the information for processing for students to apply it with acquired life experiences to form knowledge center for their specific needs.
The part of this quote that caught my attention was how it so perfectly describes how I learn, not just as an adult but how I have learned all my life, being blind in one eye from birth and struggling with dyslexia from an early age. All through grades school, junior high, high school and then the trades. I didn’t know it then but I became a problem centered learner early on in my life, after many teachers failed to help me learn, I began reading my questions first, my assignments first, and then performing the reading in order to search for the answer to the problem I had in front of me. Sure I was told I had to learn it as it was what the curriculum stated I needed to learn to pass. But I learned it because I had a problem I needed an answer to and had to find the answer. I made the assignments and questions relevant to myself.
Reflection
This quote made me go back to my own experiences as a student with dyslexia, and reminded me of how I struggled to learn in the conformity of the normal way of learning. If it hadn’t been for a few key teachers along the way; Mrs Johansson in junior high who taught me that it wasn’t that I couldn’t learn, it was the teachers who hadn’t learned to teach to disabilities, or Mr Erwin in high school science and his song about water, I can still hear his tones now, and I won’t forget my mechanics teacher Mr Horner, who taught me it was ok to speak up and ask for help, and not be shy, he helped me by understanding that I was more of a doer then a book learner, and helped me make the lessons work for me, and believe in myself as I would others. I learned that I had people along the way showing me to be critical in my thinking, to be unconventional if it was needed for me to learn, and stop being confirmative in my belief on how learning can happen. These teachers gave me an example of what teaching should be how it should help information flow, be processed and applied to become knowledge.
Interpretation
My ‘aha” moment came when I was trying to make sense of the quote and the meaning behind it. The quote is very clear and instructive, the four assumptions that follow it on the preceding pages explained the statement, but what was the hidden meaning what did it mean to me.
I was reading information, reading books, searching the internet thinking hey this makes sense, when really it didn’t until I read about defining critical thinking (p. 222) “the ability to assess your assumptions, beliefs, and actions-is imperative to survival.” (Brookfield 2012b), it took me rereading the book and highlighting key words and phrases to make sense of it. In my highlighted sentences through the book it made sense to me, that the “most potent motivators for adults to learn are internal rather than external”. (Page 54) The spark has to come from within, the reason we want to learn it has to be seen from within, it will not matter how a teacher explains its relevance, or how many times we are told it is important. We have to see for ourselves that it is important for us and our own reasons.
This quote reminded me that being an adult educator, I must pay more attention to my students, focus on them, look for subtle signs of learning differences and keep my mind open to learn not only from my own experiences and relevance but look to my students for lessons from their experiences, and incorporate these experiences into my lessons.
One key insight that I now have from this is to remember to be critical in my thinking, just as I learned in the past, about how I learned in an unconventional manner then what was most common of those around me, to always remember that each student grasps the lesson at different paces and ways and to make sure I am empathetic and understanding towards these comprehension differences. This insight will help me with my adult students and with passing on teachings to my children.
Decision
The insight gained from this quote has helped me open my eyes to remember that what I was shown all those years ago, that learning comes from within, it comes from a self driven need and want to learn and no one but ourselves, from within can make the lesson relevant to us. From within we ask questions that make sense to us to get the answer that will help us learn the information. I will remember to look for these keys (subtle or to the point) to be empathetic and mindful of my students to show me the way to help them and myself learn.
Category Four
“Persevering at online learning is also affected by computer and information literacy, time management…. Online communication skills… self-esteem, feelings of belongingness in the online program and the ability to develop interpersonal skills with peers…” (p199)
Objective
This quote and reflecting upon it, as well as participating in online education have taught me how I have had to change the way I deal with schooling and demanding situations. I have had to learn how to balance responsibilities of daily life, learn how to be proficient with technology, (I used to deal with things all on my own, if I struggled I was head down bottom up working in zombie mode to get it done) stop “sleepless nights and not a lot accomplished” and truly manage my time, not let time mange me.
What caught my attention about this quote is how much it relates to my current situation. It is a huge balancing act; it all comes down to time management and commitment. As a teacher it is easy to recommend to students to “stay focused, set goals, manage your time, and stay positive”. Unfortunately there are many learners, adults or otherwise who may not know how to do this. So Teachers and learners need to be attuned to all that is going on around them to attain goals. Students have to be focused and ask questions and search out information to accomplish goals to continue on in the course.
Teachers have to be available and introduce students to the online education, mark assignments, and assess the needs of learners. As a teacher, it’s not about the volume of students that are signed up and flowing through the courses, but rather the quality of the students and their accomplishments. Teachers have to focus on insuring that every student belongs, addressing struggles of each learner (through emails, skype calls, and grading) looking beneath the surface of the assignments and truly monitoring learners progress, even though it is usually self directed learning, routine check ins must be a mandatory occurrence, the most driven students needs a little push or encouragement.
Reflection
From this quote I learned that in order to be a successful teacher; whether an online format, classroom or in life, one would need to focus on the quality of completions. Success as a teacher is gained by seeing that learners understand information and can apply it to real world situations, the application of information insures knowledge, therefore success would be seen as a learner progresses in their journey of applied learning.
Interpretation
My ‘Aha” when I read this quote was the exact feelings I as well as many learners have, as an online student, and what will be required of me as a teacher in any form, to ensure my students that I am there to help them be successful with their educational goals, to help them through the many struggles they may face, and give them a reassurance that they belong and have a right to be a part of learning no matter what they shall face.
This quote opened my eyes, as I am not a teacher or instructor yet, I only have coaching football, supervising apprentices, teaching my children, and my own experiences as a student to create theoretical ideas as a teacher. I have limited experiences as a teacher, let alone an adult educator of any kind. So I have to look for every opportunity to apply the information I am learning in order to attain knowledge.
One key insight I now have as a result of this quote is that learners, self directed or otherwise, adult, or children, are only as good as the teacher that instructs and guides them, I cannot leave anything to faith or hope, and I must be persistent and constantly check on my students, their progress, and assess their retention levels, this can be as simply as an email, a skype call, or question and answer sessions in a calm environment.
Decision
This quote and insight I have gained have given me ideas on how to pre assess my students, whether I am teaching online, in class, or just a day to day information session, simply by asking my students about their education back grounds, levels completed, ask them to tell me about their worst educational experience, their best educational experience, and what they need to see from me by way of support for them to accomplish their educational goals, based on the answers provided I can incorporate the student into the best plan of action for success for both the student and educator in the partnership, because essentially it is a partnership on a path to knowledge. Partnerships of equal input in my mind’s eye encourage belongingness.
“Adults are problem-centered, not subject-centered, and desire immediate, not postponed application of the knowledge learned” (p. 53)
Objective
This quote catches my attention because of the very clear explanation on how adult learners view information in order to learn. It is a very powerful quote when looked at for answers, telling teachers of adult students how we have to focus our lessons around explanations of relevance first, and then present the information for processing for students to apply it with acquired life experiences to form knowledge center for their specific needs.
The part of this quote that caught my attention was how it so perfectly describes how I learn, not just as an adult but how I have learned all my life, being blind in one eye from birth and struggling with dyslexia from an early age. All through grades school, junior high, high school and then the trades. I didn’t know it then but I became a problem centered learner early on in my life, after many teachers failed to help me learn, I began reading my questions first, my assignments first, and then performing the reading in order to search for the answer to the problem I had in front of me. Sure I was told I had to learn it as it was what the curriculum stated I needed to learn to pass. But I learned it because I had a problem I needed an answer to and had to find the answer. I made the assignments and questions relevant to myself.
Reflection
This quote made me go back to my own experiences as a student with dyslexia, and reminded me of how I struggled to learn in the conformity of the normal way of learning. If it hadn’t been for a few key teachers along the way; Mrs Johansson in junior high who taught me that it wasn’t that I couldn’t learn, it was the teachers who hadn’t learned to teach to disabilities, or Mr Erwin in high school science and his song about water, I can still hear his tones now, and I won’t forget my mechanics teacher Mr Horner, who taught me it was ok to speak up and ask for help, and not be shy, he helped me by understanding that I was more of a doer then a book learner, and helped me make the lessons work for me, and believe in myself as I would others. I learned that I had people along the way showing me to be critical in my thinking, to be unconventional if it was needed for me to learn, and stop being confirmative in my belief on how learning can happen. These teachers gave me an example of what teaching should be how it should help information flow, be processed and applied to become knowledge.
Interpretation
My ‘aha” moment came when I was trying to make sense of the quote and the meaning behind it. The quote is very clear and instructive, the four assumptions that follow it on the preceding pages explained the statement, but what was the hidden meaning what did it mean to me.
I was reading information, reading books, searching the internet thinking hey this makes sense, when really it didn’t until I read about defining critical thinking (p. 222) “the ability to assess your assumptions, beliefs, and actions-is imperative to survival.” (Brookfield 2012b), it took me rereading the book and highlighting key words and phrases to make sense of it. In my highlighted sentences through the book it made sense to me, that the “most potent motivators for adults to learn are internal rather than external”. (Page 54) The spark has to come from within, the reason we want to learn it has to be seen from within, it will not matter how a teacher explains its relevance, or how many times we are told it is important. We have to see for ourselves that it is important for us and our own reasons.
This quote reminded me that being an adult educator, I must pay more attention to my students, focus on them, look for subtle signs of learning differences and keep my mind open to learn not only from my own experiences and relevance but look to my students for lessons from their experiences, and incorporate these experiences into my lessons.
One key insight that I now have from this is to remember to be critical in my thinking, just as I learned in the past, about how I learned in an unconventional manner then what was most common of those around me, to always remember that each student grasps the lesson at different paces and ways and to make sure I am empathetic and understanding towards these comprehension differences. This insight will help me with my adult students and with passing on teachings to my children.
Decision
The insight gained from this quote has helped me open my eyes to remember that what I was shown all those years ago, that learning comes from within, it comes from a self driven need and want to learn and no one but ourselves, from within can make the lesson relevant to us. From within we ask questions that make sense to us to get the answer that will help us learn the information. I will remember to look for these keys (subtle or to the point) to be empathetic and mindful of my students to show me the way to help them and myself learn.
Category Four
“Persevering at online learning is also affected by computer and information literacy, time management…. Online communication skills… self-esteem, feelings of belongingness in the online program and the ability to develop interpersonal skills with peers…” (p199)
Objective
This quote and reflecting upon it, as well as participating in online education have taught me how I have had to change the way I deal with schooling and demanding situations. I have had to learn how to balance responsibilities of daily life, learn how to be proficient with technology, (I used to deal with things all on my own, if I struggled I was head down bottom up working in zombie mode to get it done) stop “sleepless nights and not a lot accomplished” and truly manage my time, not let time mange me.
What caught my attention about this quote is how much it relates to my current situation. It is a huge balancing act; it all comes down to time management and commitment. As a teacher it is easy to recommend to students to “stay focused, set goals, manage your time, and stay positive”. Unfortunately there are many learners, adults or otherwise who may not know how to do this. So Teachers and learners need to be attuned to all that is going on around them to attain goals. Students have to be focused and ask questions and search out information to accomplish goals to continue on in the course.
Teachers have to be available and introduce students to the online education, mark assignments, and assess the needs of learners. As a teacher, it’s not about the volume of students that are signed up and flowing through the courses, but rather the quality of the students and their accomplishments. Teachers have to focus on insuring that every student belongs, addressing struggles of each learner (through emails, skype calls, and grading) looking beneath the surface of the assignments and truly monitoring learners progress, even though it is usually self directed learning, routine check ins must be a mandatory occurrence, the most driven students needs a little push or encouragement.
Reflection
From this quote I learned that in order to be a successful teacher; whether an online format, classroom or in life, one would need to focus on the quality of completions. Success as a teacher is gained by seeing that learners understand information and can apply it to real world situations, the application of information insures knowledge, therefore success would be seen as a learner progresses in their journey of applied learning.
Interpretation
My ‘Aha” when I read this quote was the exact feelings I as well as many learners have, as an online student, and what will be required of me as a teacher in any form, to ensure my students that I am there to help them be successful with their educational goals, to help them through the many struggles they may face, and give them a reassurance that they belong and have a right to be a part of learning no matter what they shall face.
This quote opened my eyes, as I am not a teacher or instructor yet, I only have coaching football, supervising apprentices, teaching my children, and my own experiences as a student to create theoretical ideas as a teacher. I have limited experiences as a teacher, let alone an adult educator of any kind. So I have to look for every opportunity to apply the information I am learning in order to attain knowledge.
One key insight I now have as a result of this quote is that learners, self directed or otherwise, adult, or children, are only as good as the teacher that instructs and guides them, I cannot leave anything to faith or hope, and I must be persistent and constantly check on my students, their progress, and assess their retention levels, this can be as simply as an email, a skype call, or question and answer sessions in a calm environment.
Decision
This quote and insight I have gained have given me ideas on how to pre assess my students, whether I am teaching online, in class, or just a day to day information session, simply by asking my students about their education back grounds, levels completed, ask them to tell me about their worst educational experience, their best educational experience, and what they need to see from me by way of support for them to accomplish their educational goals, based on the answers provided I can incorporate the student into the best plan of action for success for both the student and educator in the partnership, because essentially it is a partnership on a path to knowledge. Partnerships of equal input in my mind’s eye encourage belongingness.