My definition of pedagogy is how you transfer knowledge. Pedagogy includes your resources and your instructional strategies. It includes the way you interact with your students as well as their parents. It is the in the way you form partnerships with other teachers as well for the success of the student. It is in the way that you know when to use a different instructional strategy to reinforce a concept or when to use multiple strategies. It is recognizing that each student learns in a different manner and making accommodations to do so.
As nice as it would be to just have it pedagogy just “exist”, not all students are the same. Not all students learn in the same manner so you have to plug in and try to “personalize” your lessons to make it relevant for students. Pedagogy takes work, you do not just have it bestowed on you or just allow it to exist, it can make you sweat.
Pedagogy and cultural awareness are similar because both require you to be aware of your surroundings and treat/teach a variety of people with respect and dignity.
I think very often we are failing students because of the different cultures. For example, when a curriculum is based on the students writing or constant test taking this is where many ELL students fall flat. Language is not their strength so why do we assess in as our main means of assessment? Having these students explore, discover and explain in a variety of ways is what I believe will keep them interested and on track to learn more. Just as we make accommodations for students with special needs, we need to keep in mind the needs of the Child who is ELL.
I believe that pedagogy has to do with how one gets knowledge across to other people. It is influenced by how someone was taught to teach, strategies, pubic speaking/deliverance skills, and relevance to a subject area. It is also based on the types of relationships that are built between parents, students, and teachers. For me, it is easier to speak in front of a group of kids rather than a group of my peers/colleagues eventhough I team or work in the same classroom with the adults on a daily basis. I also believe that accomodations/adaptations that are made for students with special needs and ELL students are a part of pedagogy.
Pedagogy would naturally exist in classrooms in a fantasy world where all students learned the same and have the same background knowledge. Many times students learn and are taught through trial and error of different strategies that meet each child's individual needs. Which often times requires re-teaching to find that one strategy that might help a particular student learn a concept.
Cultural awareness and pedagogy are similar in education because the teacher/deliverer of knowledge needs to be aware of surroundings and learning styles so that no one is offended by the message or method that is being presented.
I think that some programs do allow for failure in our students. I have notice with the implementation of America's Choice, it doesn't accomodate easily for students with special needs or ELL students. The program provides books on how to accomodate these types of learners, but students do not learn through "cookie cutter" methods and if teachers don't go exactly by the book, the America's Choice people tend to get a little angry and sometimes penalize the teacher for not properly following exactly how the book says to teach. I think in a society where our students are failing, people in charge find these programs and think that they are going to be the miracle cure to make all students successful. Teachers need to be aware of all cultures and learning styles in thier classrooms and make thier best attempt to accomodtate for all learning styles and go that extra mile so that all students are successful and none fall through the cracks.
Pedagogy is what I do. I am a teacher and I plan lessons to teach to diverse students. Culture is who we are. Each of my students brings their own culture into the classroom. It is my job to learn about each student so that I can value them and teach to their needs, in order that they can become successful. Pedagogy is planning and teaching lessons for students, while managing and engaging them, so they can learn. When I am culturally aware of my students and their backgrounds, I am a more effective teacher. When I am culturally blind to my students, I am missing their value, needs and I am a less effective teacher. Pedagogy is a mix of a mathematical problem and a natural art. I had to practice teaching in order to be a good teacher. I had to see good teachers in action. The natural effectiveness develops over time. The mathematical part would be more like the outline I use to teach such as a good anticipatory set, guided work time and closing. Pedagogy and cultural awareness are similar in education because both should be intertwined. If I am a good teacher and culturally aware, I practice and learn as I go. A teacher cannot be good at pedagogy if they are culturally blind. Cultural blindness causes frustration, which would not be effective in the art and science of teaching. I believe Saxon math is a spiraling math program in which once a skill is practiced, you eventually come back to it again and build on it. The problem with this is if a student didn’t start with this program or came later in the year, it would be difficult to understand or catch up. Or if a student is below grade level in math and is frustrated/lost already, how are they ever going to understand? Frustration for any student, including ELL’s, causes a breakdown in learning. I think some schools are failing certain cultures because of cultural blindness. We do not know enough about others’ cultures in order to make the learning relevant to the students. Once we make it relevant, we can build on the content and make it more rigorous to create “Power Thinkers”. This is why pedagogy is an art and science. It’s the art of getting to know our pupils and it’s the science of knowing how to hook them so they can learn. There are programs that are in schools that do not meet the needs of every culture, to plan for that would be nearly impossible. That is why it is my job as a teacher to learn about my students, including their cultures. When I learn about them I can adapt the curriculum to teach them where they are at, make it relevant for their culture, and guide them so they can learn.
Karen- I like how you said "Pedagoy takes work...it can make you sweat." I totally agree and that made me smile. Also you mentioned that pedagogy and cultural awareness require that you treat people with respect and dignity. I liked that because I didn't necessarily think of it that way, but now I get it. Leasa- I like how you talked about people in charge picking "miracle cure" programs. You're right- the programs aren't providing the miracle, it's the teachers who care about students and their stories (culture).
Lisa- you are so right about cookie cutter programs. Kids are not all the same so why in the world are we expected to get the same results from all kids with a program.
Becky-I liked when you said Pedagogy is what I do.. never looked at it like that, but so true. I also agree with you about it taking practice to be a good teacher.. I feel I am always practicing to be better. Its important to observe other good teachers as well.. something i wish we were given more time to do. I cringe every-time that I hear the phrase those who can't teach.. my response is really?? Take my class for a day- lets see whacha got! Teachers need to be aware of so much more now than 20-30 years ago because we have such a greater diversity..
I know.. I am preaching to the choir-- Can I get an Amen??
Pedagogy is a way a person teaches and they are usually influenced by their culture on how they teach. Some of the cultures I am accustomed to may show in my teaching, leaving out other customs my students are part of. Due to this, my culture will naturally be integrated in the classroom and others will have to be fit in like a mathematical problem since I’m not use to it. I will have to be aware of my students and others in the world to broaden my cultural awareness and teach students about diversity. I know not every student learns the same way. I have to teach the same curriculum in various ways in order to reach every student in class. I may not learn the same way as one student, so I have to be creative and keep that in my head for that student to understand.
I’m not sure what Saxon Math is, but sounds like a program that only teaches in one set way. I’m not familiar with any programs that teach one way only, but I’ve found several programs that teach in multiple ways. They use many strategies based off research, such as the multiple intelligences, cooperative learning, etc. These are the programs that I continuing look for since they are more likely to connect to each student.
Leasa – Your term “cookie cutter” methods reminded me of “cookbook” lesson plans. You’re right that every kid is not the same and we’re going to have to steer away from the plan sometimes in order to help the student. As teachers, we do this constantly during a lesson. We check for understanding and if things are not going according to plan, we switch gears and try again in a new direction.
Becky – I liked how you said “If I am a good teacher and culturally aware, I practice and learn as I go.” As a new teacher, I find I am learning something new everyday. I find myself practicing a new technique, whether with the whole class or just an individual student, the very next day.
Pinky- What I have found is that as you gain experience as a teacher, even if a curriculum does not show various ways and methods to instruct, you pull from other resources. Congrats on being a new teacher though!
Karin- I like how you said testing isn't always fair to all of our students especially those that have a weakness in an area so we test them to make them feel like more of a failure.
Becky-- I agree with you, when saying if a student doesn't start in a spiraling program and then coem into it, they miss a lot of skills and it doesn't benefit them.
Pinky- I am proud of you for knowing what areas you may be weak in, but know that with experience it will come to you. When I was a young teacher in a suburban district, I was able to relate to the kids because they were like me. When I moved to the Wichita district, I was in culture shock for awhile, but through experience and best practices it came to me. Good Luck! I know you can do it!
Great comments and insights on the coins activity. Thanks to Matt for providing that activity.
ReplyDeleteContinuing on, this week's blog asks for your thoughts on pedagogy and cultural awareness.
My definition of pedagogy is how you transfer knowledge. Pedagogy includes your resources and your instructional strategies. It includes the way you interact with your students as well as their parents. It is the in the way you form partnerships with other teachers as well for the success of the student. It is in the way that you know when to use a different instructional strategy to reinforce a concept or when to use multiple strategies. It is recognizing that each student learns in a different manner and making accommodations to do so.
ReplyDeleteAs nice as it would be to just have it pedagogy just “exist”, not all students are the same. Not all students learn in the same manner so you have to plug in and try to “personalize” your lessons to make it relevant for students. Pedagogy takes work, you do not just have it bestowed on you or just allow it to exist, it can make you sweat.
Pedagogy and cultural awareness are similar because both require you to be aware of your surroundings and treat/teach a variety of people with respect and dignity.
I think very often we are failing students because of the different cultures. For example, when a curriculum is based on the students writing or constant test taking this is where many ELL students fall flat. Language is not their strength so why do we assess in as our main means of assessment? Having these students explore, discover and explain in a variety of ways is what I believe will keep them interested and on track to learn more. Just as we make accommodations for students with special needs, we need to keep in mind the needs of the Child who is ELL.
I believe that pedagogy has to do with how one gets knowledge across to other people. It is influenced by how someone was taught to teach, strategies, pubic speaking/deliverance skills, and relevance to a subject area. It is also based on the types of relationships that are built between parents, students, and teachers. For me, it is easier to speak in front of a group of kids rather than a group of my peers/colleagues eventhough I team or work in the same classroom with the adults on a daily basis. I also believe that accomodations/adaptations that are made for students with special needs and ELL students are a part of pedagogy.
ReplyDeletePedagogy would naturally exist in classrooms in a fantasy world where all students learned the same and have the same background knowledge. Many times students learn and are taught through trial and error of different strategies that meet each child's individual needs. Which often times requires re-teaching to find that one strategy that might help a particular student learn a concept.
Cultural awareness and pedagogy are similar in education because the teacher/deliverer of knowledge needs to be aware of surroundings and learning styles so that no one is offended by the message or method that is being presented.
I think that some programs do allow for failure in our students. I have notice with the implementation of America's Choice, it doesn't accomodate easily for students with special needs or ELL students. The program provides books on how to accomodate these types of learners, but students do not learn through "cookie cutter" methods and if teachers don't go exactly by the book, the America's Choice people tend to get a little angry and sometimes penalize the teacher for not properly following exactly how the book says to teach. I think in a society where our students are failing, people in charge find these programs and think that they are going to be the miracle cure to make all students successful.
Teachers need to be aware of all cultures and learning styles in thier classrooms and make thier best attempt to accomodtate for all learning styles and go that extra mile so that all students are successful and none fall through the cracks.
Pedagogy is what I do. I am a teacher and I plan lessons to teach to diverse students. Culture is who we are. Each of my students brings their own culture into the classroom. It is my job to learn about each student so that I can value them and teach to their needs, in order that they can become successful.
ReplyDeletePedagogy is planning and teaching lessons for students, while managing and engaging them, so they can learn. When I am culturally aware of my students and their backgrounds, I am a more effective teacher. When I am culturally blind to my students, I am missing their value, needs and I am a less effective teacher. Pedagogy is a mix of a mathematical problem and a natural art. I had to practice teaching in order to be a good teacher. I had to see good teachers in action. The natural effectiveness develops over time. The mathematical part would be more like the outline I use to teach such as a good anticipatory set, guided work time and closing.
Pedagogy and cultural awareness are similar in education because both should be intertwined. If I am a good teacher and culturally aware, I practice and learn as I go. A teacher cannot be good at pedagogy if they are culturally blind. Cultural blindness causes frustration, which would not be effective in the art and science of teaching.
I believe Saxon math is a spiraling math program in which once a skill is practiced, you eventually come back to it again and build on it. The problem with this is if a student didn’t start with this program or came later in the year, it would be difficult to understand or catch up. Or if a student is below grade level in math and is frustrated/lost already, how are they ever going to understand? Frustration for any student, including ELL’s, causes a breakdown in learning. I think some schools are failing certain cultures because of cultural blindness. We do not know enough about others’ cultures in order to make the learning relevant to the students. Once we make it relevant, we can build on the content and make it more rigorous to create “Power Thinkers”. This is why pedagogy is an art and science. It’s the art of getting to know our pupils and it’s the science of knowing how to hook them so they can learn.
There are programs that are in schools that do not meet the needs of every culture, to plan for that would be nearly impossible. That is why it is my job as a teacher to learn about my students, including their cultures. When I learn about them I can adapt the curriculum to teach them where they are at, make it relevant for their culture, and guide them so they can learn.
Karen- I like how you said "Pedagoy takes work...it can make you sweat." I totally agree and that made me smile. Also you mentioned that pedagogy and cultural awareness require that you treat people with respect and dignity. I liked that because I didn't necessarily think of it that way, but now I get it.
ReplyDeleteLeasa- I like how you talked about people in charge picking "miracle cure" programs. You're right- the programs aren't providing the miracle, it's the teachers who care about students and their stories (culture).
Lisa- you are so right about cookie cutter programs. Kids are not all the same so why in the world are we expected to get the same results from all kids with a program.
ReplyDeleteBecky-I liked when you said Pedagogy is what I do.. never looked at it like that, but so true. I also agree with you about it taking practice to be a good teacher.. I feel I am always practicing to be better. Its important to observe other good teachers as well.. something i wish we were given more time to do. I cringe every-time that I hear the phrase those who can't teach.. my response is really?? Take my class for a day- lets see whacha got! Teachers need to be aware of so much more now than 20-30 years ago because we have such a greater diversity..
I know.. I am preaching to the choir-- Can I get an Amen??
Pedagogy is a way a person teaches and they are usually influenced by their culture on how they teach. Some of the cultures I am accustomed to may show in my teaching, leaving out other customs my students are part of. Due to this, my culture will naturally be integrated in the classroom and others will have to be fit in like a mathematical problem since I’m not use to it. I will have to be aware of my students and others in the world to broaden my cultural awareness and teach students about diversity. I know not every student learns the same way. I have to teach the same curriculum in various ways in order to reach every student in class. I may not learn the same way as one student, so I have to be creative and keep that in my head for that student to understand.
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure what Saxon Math is, but sounds like a program that only teaches in one set way. I’m not familiar with any programs that teach one way only, but I’ve found several programs that teach in multiple ways. They use many strategies based off research, such as the multiple intelligences, cooperative learning, etc. These are the programs that I continuing look for since they are more likely to connect to each student.
Leasa – Your term “cookie cutter” methods reminded me of “cookbook” lesson plans. You’re right that every kid is not the same and we’re going to have to steer away from the plan sometimes in order to help the student. As teachers, we do this constantly during a lesson. We check for understanding and if things are not going according to plan, we switch gears and try again in a new direction.
ReplyDeleteBecky – I liked how you said “If I am a good teacher and culturally aware, I practice and learn as I go.” As a new teacher, I find I am learning something new everyday. I find myself practicing a new technique, whether with the whole class or just an individual student, the very next day.
Pinky- What I have found is that as you gain experience as a teacher, even if a curriculum does not show various ways and methods to instruct, you pull from other resources. Congrats on being a new teacher though!
ReplyDeleteKarin- I like how you said testing isn't always fair to all of our students especially those that have a weakness in an area so we test them to make them feel like more of a failure.
ReplyDeleteBecky-- I agree with you, when saying if a student doesn't start in a spiraling program and then coem into it, they miss a lot of skills and it doesn't benefit them.
Pinky- I am proud of you for knowing what areas you may be weak in, but know that with experience it will come to you. When I was a young teacher in a suburban district, I was able to relate to the kids because they were like me. When I moved to the Wichita district, I was in culture shock for awhile, but through experience and best practices it came to me. Good Luck! I know you can do it!
Karen- Amen ;)
ReplyDelete