Reflect on the course readings thus far. Think about guest speaker presentations, class lectures, and conversations. Make sure you post a quote or two from the readings that you found interesting or that sparked your imagination. Your posts will viewed by all students in the course. Also, do not forget to read your classmates' posts and comment on them.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
2nd Reflection
Reflect on the course readings thus far. Think about guest speaker presentations, class lectures, and conversations. Make sure you post a quote or two from the readings that you found interesting or that sparked your imagination. Your posts will viewed by all students in the course. Also, do not forget to read your classmates' posts and comment on them.
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Education is what we make of it, and we are capable of making a change if our goals are not being met. One quote that stood out to me in our reading by Murray was, “The goal of education is to bring children into adulthood having discovered things they enjoy doing and doing them at the outermost limits of their potential” (Murray 168). I would agree that school is to challenge, to provide, and to encourage. Sometimes without being pushed to learn or try harder, you aren’t able to realize what you enjoy, what you’re good at, or discover your full potential. Like we talked about in class, one may not be academically gifted, but they can be gifted creatively, socially, athletically, etc. In order for one to be considered “gifted”, they shouldn’t have to be talented in just math or science, other talents should be considered “gifted” too.
ReplyDeleteI loved how the young boy in this video said, “Be your own Beyoncé”, because everyone should be. We shouldn’t let others define us or limit our abilities, talents, or hobbies. We discussed in class that a lot of us were encouraged to go to college and were not provided with any other options. In my opinion, education is for teaching, and it should not be limited to STEM subjects only. In other words, schools should also teach kids what happiness is, how to be kind, how to be yourself, and educate them that it is okay to make mistakes. Education should not be limited and it shouldn’t have one definition. Beth Long explained the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which in my opinion demonstrates that every child deserves the chance and has the ability to succeed.
To add on, another quote that caught my attention was something Murray stated at the beginning of chapter 4. He said, “What we need is leaders with more integrity, prudence, self-disciple, and moral courage, not smarter ones. What we need is more common sense in public life, not a bunch of overeducated intellectuals telling us what to do” (Murray 107). Although he is focusing on leaders, I feel life includes us all, and it is what we make of it together. Like the boy said, the world needs you and me. I feel there is more to life than finding a job that has the highest salary or knowing every answer on a test. Life is too short, so why not have everyone contribute and educate those around them whether it is in math, morals, music, cars, sports etc. Education never ends, because we are constantly learning day to day. Like in the video, we are all trying to figure ourselves out, so we want leaders who are honest, cautious, and compassionate, instead of controlling us with everything they know.
Lastly, I loved how the young boy stated, “If at first you don’t succeed, you’re normal”. Everyone needs to realize that making mistakes is okay, not getting every answer right on a test is okay, and failing sometimes can make you learn more than if you achieved it the first time. Understanding failure can help you relate to those who are struggling and educate not only yourself, but also those around you. We are all awesome and “gifted” in our own ways.
First of all I just want to say how much I love Kid President and that we're using him as a video to compare our readings to.
ReplyDeleteIn the past few class times we have deeply discussed the readings from Darling-Hammond's book "The Flat World and Education". Recently we have discussed the inequalities in the classroom. I have always thought that it was very interesting that when it came to funding that the schools with lower test scores don't tend to get the funding that they need to succeed. On page 104 in Darling-Hammond she states, "In total, courts in 10 of the 31 states where suits were filed during the 1970s and early 1980s found their states school finance scheme to be unconstitutional." I found this amazing, but I'm even more curious to see what those numbers would be today. It is clear that there will be some benefits when money is poured into low-performing schools, however, that in and of itself doesn't fix the problem. It's important that at the same time that money is being put into these schools there is also some sort of consultant or training that accompanies it. I believe that with this consultation there would be a bigger impact on different school systems rather than just the impact of fiscal help. Not every problem within education has to do with fiscal problems, sometimes it's the talent pool of educators, administrators, or the demographic of the school system.
One quote that I found very interesting from Darling Hammond is "schools bring little influence to bear on a child's achievement that is independent of his background and general social context." (Hammond pg.101) A lot of focus is on the schools themselves. However, it is unfair of us to think that a child can learn when he/she is also focusing on their hunger or where they're going to sleep that night. I saw a video a while ago where one teacher spent the first 30 minutes of their day asking each student if they had eaten/showered that morning. That really stood out to me that a teacher would go out of his way to make sure that his students were ready and prepared to learn for that day. If only there was a way to have teachers with the heart like his in every school in the nation.
Alex,
DeleteI really liked how you mentioned that every problem within education doesn’t have to do with fiscal problems, and rather can be due to the lack of resources/educators/etc. I feel that the talent of educators is not focused on enough, and think that great teachers really do have an effect on children and their learning. Like we talked about in class, we can still remember good teachers and what we learned from them because the memory of how they taught us is still vivid. I agree that some sort of training or a consultant to go into schools to help them out after providing them with money could help schools use money in the right way and actually make a change for the better. I don’t know how easy that would be, but I think it is a great idea.
The example you provided about a child’s physical and emotional needs was very moving. I agree that all teachers should go out of their way to make sure children are fed and etc. Because even if there is a classroom of children with the greatest teacher on Earth, if their social and emotional needs are not met, they are not going to be able to strive in school. If my stomach were growling, I would definitely be thinking about food/something else instead of a hard math problem that is being presented to me in class. I definitely think nutrition should be a main focus for each school and they should consider providing school breakfast and lunch programs for their kids.
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ReplyDeleteIn regards to the video, I imagine Murray would completely disagree. Murray seems to believe students are just cogs in a machine, intent on finding a job with no other goals. Kid President would obviously disagree with Murray with a (perhaps overly) idealistic view that anyone can do anything they want, whether that be going to college or “being Beyoncé”. Considering I chose to go to college, I found chapter three "Too many people are going to college" to be very interesting. I have always believed college is a great opportunity for anyone, if there is a way to attend that doesn't put you in an outrageous amount of debt. On page 67 Murray claims "one of the most damaging messages of educational romanticism has been that everyone should go to college." There's a lot in this quote that troubles me. I don't know what "damage" is being done, other than economic damage by creating a student loan bubble. Aside from that, college provides student with so many opportunities to grow academically, socially, and more. I would agree that we should not preach that everyone should go to college; however, it should be preached that everyone can go to college. Murray discusses how great a liberal education is but then limits it to the elite students and teaching it in elementary school. Murray is under the false assumption that college is just to get a job and cannot allow young adults to develop, claiming on page 97, "I cannot say confidently that my idealized college environment has ever existed, but without doubt, it bears no resemblance to the environment of today’s typical college.” In reality, college can benefit students on multiple fronts. College will not spoon feed students, it is up to college students to make the most of their time there, and better themselves. I relate to Brianna and agree that “school is to challenge, provide and encourage.” School, especially college, is a tool for students to better themselves in whatever way the student feels necessary, and I imagine Murray would disagree with this.
ReplyDelete"To be in a position of power means that what you do affects people beyond your immediate family and friends, and the consequences of failing to do the right thing escalate accordingly." This quote from Charles Murray really struck me because this counteracts everything that my high school taught me. My school's motto was "Everyone is a leader." While it seemed silly and pointless to me as a high schooler, I now realize after reading Charles Murray's book that it was just plain wrong. Everyone is not and should not be a leader. Not everybody is prepared to be a leader, because that power also comes with responsibility and sacrifice that many are not prepared for. And besides, if everyone is a leader, who are they leading? There has to be followers for the world to go round. In regards to the video, I am not sure Murray would completely agree with the phrase, "We all have the capacity for greatness." I think it depends on how you define greatness. I personally believe that everyone can be great at something if you have the passion to strive for greatness and you put in the hard work to get there. Charles Murray, however, seems to say that people are more so born with certain talents and abilities and that they cannot go far outside those specific to them. It is true, some things cannot be taught. And some people are naturally inclined towards certain gifts, but that does not mean someone who is not naturally graceful cannot be a wonderfully talented dancer.
ReplyDeleteAbigail, while I see your point about us being taught everyone is a leader, I don't totally agree with the fact that we aren't all leaders. I think we all have the power to lead. The difference is those who want to lead vs. those that don't want to, but are given power through influence. Everyone has the power to lead, it's just how they choose to do so!
DeleteI absolutely love this video, and Kid President in general! However, I think that Charles Murray, as Justin stated, would completely disagree with me. Murray's entire book to me seemed to focus on being practical and realistic- realizing that some people aren't above average, some people shouldn't go to college, and not everyone can be whatever they want to. Kid President's message, on the other hand, was to never accept boundaries and to follow your dreams, whatever they are. In the video, Kid President says, "When I look out here today, I see potential. I see future surgeons, and future teachers. Future Beyoncés." This is a message of hope- that there is the potential in any of us to be whatever they dream to be, whether that is a doctor or even Beyoncé. Charles Murray, on the other hand, did not seem to be the type to encourage us to follow our dreams, but rather to do what you're best at and not to dream too high. In Murray's book, he questions how smart you actually have to be in order to cope with college level material, and on page 67 states that, "No more than 20 percent of students have that level of academic ability, and 10 percent is a more realistic estimate." Although I somewhat agree with Murray that college is being over-emphasized as the only option for high school graduates, I couldn't disagree with him more in what he says in the rest of his chapter. I don't care whether or not statistically a student has what it takes in Murray's eyes to deal with a college curriculum, if someone wants to attend college they should never be told that they aren't smart enough or good enough. Kid President's video was made to motivate us all to achieve our own definition of greatness, and I can only hope that more people pay attention to this message than Murray's.
ReplyDeleteThis video is so adorable!!! I could watch it over and over again! I agree with my fellow classmates that Charles Murray would disagree with this video whole heartedly. Charles Murray doesn't understand individuality and it's importance in this world. I agree that all children must be educated and maybe all don't fit the cookie-cutter student stereotype, however I think all people have a purpose. We all can make a difference. We all can inspire others. We all can be a positive impact in the world through various ways with our own smarts. I agree with him that not everyone should go to college, but I think that everyone should have the right to go to college if they wish to. If someone wants to go to college that shouldn't be solely determined by tests create to "determine" IQs. He says "To say that no more than 20 percent of all students have the academic ability to deal with college-level material seems to be false on its face" (68). For him to state that people don't have the "academic ability" to handle college material is absolutely absurd. I find it somewhat offensive because I don't consider myself the most academically gifted out of my friends and family, however I am going to a four year university and studying to earn my degree. Also this statement completely contradicts the video chosen of Kid President. Kid President wants everyone to pursue there goals and follow their dreams to impact the world in a positive way! I agree that we all are graduating from something, whether it's pre-school, high school, college, a job, anything! We all continue to do work and create goals that can be achieved with hard work and determination. The video is inspiring to all to spark individuality and focus on making their mark in the world, whereas Charles Murray's book focuses on how different we are and how we aren't all intelligent enough to go down certain career paths even if we are interested in them. I disagree and want to prove that anyone can do anything! I loved when he talked about Air Bud and how Air Bud was a dog who played basketball, and that means you can do anything just like Air Bud! I want everyone to understand that this is true. If you have a goal in mind, set focus on it, you can achieve the world and much more!
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