Thursday, October 28, 2010

Richard Lavoy

F.A.T is a an informational video in which Richard Lavoy has put together different situations, that a learning disabled child would go through on a daily basis at school. It puts the viewer in the shoes of a a learning disabled child and helps them to see the world as a learning disabled child does; the difficulties of what we would consider a  simple tasks the learning disabled student has a hard time completing.  Lavoy's program helps parent and teachers to better identify with learning disabled children and gives advice and strategies on how they can help the child progress and build confidence in themselves.  This video was extremely educational it helped me to better understand what children with learning disabled children go through and gave me guidance for working with them in the classroom. I Believe that all people should watch this video to help them to better understand children with learning disabilities.   

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Gender

When talking about gender we first we have to make sure to distinguish the difference between gender and sex; sex is defined as the biological dimensions of being male or female. Gender is the socio-cultural aspect of male or female. Gender generates an expectation of how a person should feel, think, act in society based on their sex this is known as gender roles.
When a child is growing up they are learning from adults and role model how they are expected to act in society.  By watching how people are rewarded or punished for the way they act. There are two theories on how children develop their socio-learning theory on gender: the Cognitive Development Theory, and the Gender Schema Theory .
The Cognitive Development Theory states that a child learns different concepts of gender and comes to see gender as a consistent. 
The Gender Schema Theory believes that a child develops a concept of what gender is then as time goes on they blend those gender concept with with their own self gender concepts.
I see the gender schema theory as being more accurate especially in today's society where it is more accepted by society for girls and guys to take on roles of the opposite sex.
As teacher we have to be aware and be careful no to cast or teach stereotypes, gender biases or sexual orientation issues.  This can be difficult as each person has their own belief on how gender should act or behave and as time goes on what we believe is accepted behavior may not be what the next generation sees as normal behaviors or attitudes.    

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Gardners Multiple intelligences

Gardener believes that intelligence comes in the form of several skills , Verbal, Mathematical, Spatial, Body Kinaesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, naturalist and Existential.  When a individual has a strong intelligence in one of these field it can give direction as to what occupation they would have a strength in. These intelligences are well defined in their name verbal is the ability to use language to express meaning, Mathematical, the ability to carry out the mathematical operation. musical a natural sensitivity to pitch, melody,rhythm, and tone.Naturalist: the ability to observe patterns in nature.The other are not as well described by their names Spatial in the ability to think in 3 dimension this is effective for this trait help architects, artist and sailors.Bodily- kinesthetic skills the ability to manipulate objects and be physically adept good example of these traits would Surgeons, dancers,athletes. Interpersonal skills is the ability to understand and effectively interact with others such as teachers, and mental health professionals.People with Intrapersonal intelligence such as theologians and psychologist have the ability to understand oneself and effectively direct one's life.The ability to contemplate global questions about life such as philosophers have existential intelligences.
                                              

I think that Gardner does have a very good point intelligence is not a single entity people have strength in certain areas and weaknesses in others. An individual can learn to build on other areas of intelligence by using the type of intelligence that they are the strongest at.   

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Eric Erickson's stages of human development

Erikson's lifespan theory has eight stages he believes in that if a person doesn't meet the needs of each stage it will be carried with us they don't disappear.  His first stage is Trust vs Mistrust and is birth to 1 yr old the second stage is Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt and includes infants age 1 to 2 years in age in this stage the individual realizes that their behavior is their own, they get their independence and realize their will.  If the infant is restrained to much or punished to harshly a sense of shame and doubt occur.  The next stage is Initiative vs Guilt in this stage the child begins to do things for themselves such as brushing teeth cleaning up after themselves a sense of responsibility increases initiative.  Children develop uncomfortable guilt feelings if they are irresponsible or are made to feel anxious. The forth stage is Industry vs Inferiority and includes elementary in this stage children are building on knowledge and intellectual skills children will never be as curious as when they are in this stage. Inferiority is caused by the child having a sense of productiveness and incompetence.  The fifth stage is Identity vs Identity Confusion this stage happen while a child is in intermediate and high school years this stage is based on the individual finding out who they are such as the people we hang out the music we listen to also where they are going in life.  If they are not allowed to try different identity's they become confused about there identity.  Intimacy vs Isolation is the sixth stage this stage is where young adults in their 20's and 30's develop close and personal relationships with others the hazard of this stage a person is unable to form such relationship and becomes isolated which causes loneliness and a dark cloud over their lives. The seventh stage in Erikson's stages is Generativity vs Stagnation is the stage in a person life when they are in their 40's and 50's. Generativity means giving transmitting something to the next generation helping them develop useful lives stagnation is the feeling that you have done nothing to help.  The last stage in Erikson's development theory is Integrity vs Despair this stage takes place in a person life in their 6o's till death.  In this stage adults review their lives reflecting on what they have done if their evaluation of their life is positive they feel integrity; If not they become despairing and negative.

To an extent I agree with Erikson's theory that every one does go through these different stages throughout life and we do achieve either one or the other of the outcomes in out lives.  However at least for myself personally  I feel that I'm in several of these stages at this point in my life; these include the Identity vs identity confusion I'm still trying to find out who I or more less who i want to be. Intimacy vs Isolation trying to find that one person who I want to have that special relationship with and spend the rest of my life with. Generativity vs Stagnation i've given back to the next generation by either volunteering to coach younger girls soccer I have taught these girls how to improve their skills but also have helped them to learn the skills of teamwork, punctuality, listening skills, following directions, and leadership. I also believe that i look back on what i have accomplished so far and reflect on that to help me see what I feel is best for my future.So why I believe that every person does go though these stages they can be in more then on at a time.