Reflection 5

“Teaching = helping someone else learn.” L. Dee Fink

How do you feel about this quote?  Why do you teach (or want to teach)?  Post to your blog.

I think this is a good perspective. A teacher should be a guide who helps the student avoid pitfalls and who helps decide where to go from any given point.  

Learning is an internal process and it starts with willingness. If the willingness and motivation burn out teaching can involve helping to rekindle the desire. If this has to have to happen every day, however...

Reflection 4

“Any genuine teaching will result, if successful, in someone's knowing how to bring about a
better condition of things than existed earlier.”  John Dewey
John Dewey is one the founders in the education system.  He was keen on active learning. How
do you feel about this quote?  Is it true? Explain.

This sounds reasonable. As far as I understand it I would say it is true. It seems to me that "genuine teaching" refers to teaching things that are true or teaching skills. "Condition of things" should refer, then, to the state of the world or to the state of our lives. If we learn something new then we will be able to improve our place in the world and/or to make the world a better place.

The quote might also refer to an idea that teaching involves improving on knowledge or abilities that already exist. This is probably true too since the student who comes as a blank slate does not exist. 

Reflection 3

“The pupil who is never required to do what he cannot do, never does what he can do.” John Stuart Mill

What do you think this quote means?  Do you have high expectations for your students?

I think this quote means that if you are never pushed to the point of failure you will never achieve success. I don't think it is true. Many skills can be learned incrementally and comfortably. More important than being pushed is the possession of a burning desire for knowledge. 

In my experience with language learning, I found that Spanish came very easy. I never attended a class and I never stayed up late nights pulling my hair out trying to figure out the language. I had a burning desire to learn the language, so I did. When I could have spoken English, I spoke Spanish instead. When I could have sought out Americans or other English speakers, I avoided them instead. When I could have tuned out conversations around me, I listened in. But, I never pushed myself to the point of failure. I just learned because I wanted nothing more in the world. Spanish was the most important thing in my life at the time. I was successful in my endeavor where many are not. 

Maybe I don't have high expectations for my students. It depends on what you mean by expectations. I set high standards for their work, but I understand that they are adults. I understand that if they do not love English or writing they will only ever achieve limited success. I am there to guide not to push. I cannot make anyone want to learn, and I cannot make anyone love the subject matter. I can only guide my students down the right path. They will choose success or not. 

Reflection 2

“A teacher affects eternity: he or she can never tell where his or her influence stops.”  Henry B. Adams

How do you feel about this quote?  Reflect on one or some of your teachers – are they still influencing you? Post to your blog.

It's true, at least in small ways. Influence is very difficult to measure, but I do feel that as a teacher I am making the world a better place.

If I teach someone to appreciate reading and writing and to feel at ease when he or she is required to read and write that person will have a better life. They will be subjected to less stress, doubt, and shame. If they have children their children will grow up in a better environment if only for the slight reduction in stress to the parent who isn't afraid to read and who isn't afraid to write.

If I teach an Arab to speak English (and I have). He will gain some understanding of who we are and will at least have one American who he appreciates. In addition that person will be better able to inform other Americans of who he is. With his new language they will establish common ground and undo all the damage done by hateful pundits and ignorant people.

If I teach an American Spanish, I will transfer to that person all the cultural wealth that many Americans assume our day laborers lack. My compatriot will appreciate the intangible riches that come from being able to enjoy two cultures and the pleasure that comes from sharing experience with people of all walks of life.

Teachers are the best hope for the future of the world. My teachers helped to create the person I am, and I recognize that I am changing people's lives. Of course there are those who teach The Lie, but even they cannot undo what we who teach skills and critical thought do. 

Reflection 1

1. What are your expectations for this course?
2. What are your expectations of me (instructor)?
3. If involved in an Adult Education Program (AEP), what would you like to learn about in this course?

1. I expect that this course will fulfill the state of Colorado Department of Education LIA requirements. In addition I expect that this course will provide me with some new knowledge and refresh my teaching practices. 

2. I expect the instructor to be knowledgeable and to provide clear instruction through a well developed curriculum.

3. I would like to learn more about what motivates my learners to stay with our programs. I would also like to learn how to help my language learners break out of stagnant ability with the language. Many students in ESL programs as well as adult English speakers learning a second language seem to hit a wall somewhere in their progression toward fluency. Of those who do hit this wall, I have seen very few overcome to achieve real fluency in their second language.  Why does this happen? Is there a way to help them overcome? These aren't necessarily adult education questions, and perhaps they have more to do with language learning in general.