After reading through chapter one and looking at all the resources, I am again amazed of all that is involved concerning education. This chapter on Learning, Teaching and Educational Psychology focuses on exemplary teachers who practice efficacy, reflection and differentiation. It then summarizes all the different kinds of research, how it is obtained, and then utilized to solve common problems in school.
The section on teacher-student relationships, on page 7, really jumped out at me. The fact that a study was done on the impact teachers can have on students impressed me. Researchers, Bridgett Hame and Robert Piant, in 2001, found that the relationship teachers had with their students predicted school success. In 2010, Pianta and his colleagues through another study on 3rd through 5th graders, found that the two factors of high-level instruction, and positive relationships with teachers helped close the achievement gap.
When I was in third grade, my teacher punished me for not
understanding how to do a math problem in what was then called, “New Math”. My teacher told me in front of my peers, that
while she was taking the rest of the class out for recess, I was to sit there
and figure it out. She then turned out
the light, walked out of the room and closed the door. I was eight years old, alone, humiliated, and
terrified all at the same time. I remember, with heart pounding, looking out
the window to make sure my teacher was out on the playground. I then quickly ran to her desk, looked up the
answer in her book, saw how it was worked out and ran back to my desk. I proceeded to put it all on paper and
finished the problem. I had, in my mind,
“figured it out”!
As I reflect back to that time, I also recall how proud my
teacher was that I had, indeed, figured it out.
Perhaps she thought she was doing me a favor by handling the situation
such as she did. It did not change the way
I felt about her. I hated her, and could
not wait for third grade to be over so I could move on to a new teacher. As I have watched my own children go through school, I am amazed at the relationships they have formed with all of their teachers. Most of them have been a positive force in their lives, especially k through 8. I can only infer that because the studies done have shown evidence to success thus far, this is why teachers are being taught differently today. Instead of an authoritative approach, I think teachers are being taught that being sensitive to a student’s needs is just as important as how and what they teach in their lessons.
I never realized the importance of research in educational psychology, but am glad it is available to make me a better teacher and a positive force in my student’s lives.
Beth,
ReplyDeleteI also found the section on teacher-student relations to be very interesting. I can see how the Hame and Piant study in 2001 about relationships teachers have their students could predict what type of success the students have. I believe this study is true in both school setting and in normal life. His findings could not have been more accurate about using high-level instruction and positive relationships to narrow the achievement gap. The first thing I thought of after reading this was a phrase that my five-year-old daughter says daily, “Do you know what the Golden Rule is?”
Like you, I was often punished in school for not understanding. In my case though it was a little bit different because of my dyslexia. Teachers always seem to think that I was messing around when it was time to read out loud or do problems so I was always having to either go sit in the hall or having letter sent home. For this reason I really never did like school very much.
I also agree with your statement about how students in school now seem to have a better relationship with their teachers. In my case I feel that it was more because not a lot was known about dyslexia at that time. Today all types of studies have been done or are being done to try to figure out if a student is having difficulties are not. I feel with this research that's teachers are better equipped to catch on to these problems and help their students to achieve better. Between all of the research and what I've gone through in my own personal life, I believe this will help to make me more aware of the needs of my students which will help build a positive learning environment.
Beth,
ReplyDeleteTeaching styles have changed over the years. I also agree that a positive relationship and a high-level instruction are important factors to be implemented to be a successful teacher. I believe teachers need to accommodate their teaching styles to the students’ needs. Each classroom setting is different from one another. As future teachers, I agree we need to be more sensitive to the students’ learning needs and encourage them to try to the best of their abilities. I think we have all learned a great deal from educational psychology, as a future teacher I need to research more on classroom management styles. Authoritative teaching style is one of the styles of teaching that I have been looking into versus the authoritarian teaching style, which seems to have a negative impact on students. I also can relate to being fearful to one of my teachers because she was an extreme disciplinarian. Some of those memories still come to mind occasionally. You are definitely going to make a great teacher and no doubt you will be a positive force in your students’ lives because you are a compassionate person.
Beth,
ReplyDeleteI believe that the relationship a teacher has with their students can influence the learning abilities of their students. It is horrible that you had a bad experience in third grade with your teacher. Look at how that has stayed with you all your life. In the Hame and Piant study, we see how the relationships teachers have impact the success of their students. The study goes on to show positive relationships and high level instruction close the learning gap for students. I believe that as teachers, we are role models for our students. I believe that if you treat others with kindness and respect, you will get the same back. We have all experienced good and bad teachers throughout our academic careers but these are great lessons we can use for our own classrooms and teaching. I think this will make us all better teachers one day!