While the "homework and practice" isn't one of my favorite learning strategies, it is very popular with many teachers who don't want to think outside the box and rely on the same lessons and assign the same homework year after year. I've been the student of these teachers and can say from my own learning experiences that that type of learning isn't very fun for the student. However, the type of assignments I learned the most from were the ones where I was given a hypothesis to test. When given the chance to test different scenarios, I found that having a hypothesis fail wasn't necessarily a bad thing, it took the negativity out of the learning experience and taught me that making mistakes and learning from them in an educational setting can be transferred to life skills as well.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
CEDO525 Week 5
Strategies 9 - 11: Students learn comparisons the hard way right from the start of school. It doesn't take long before they are comparing each other's clothes, the backpack they carry, the scores they receive on homework, or even cold lunches! Sadly, this type of comparison leads to students having a negative self image, which is exactly why as teachers we need to teach the positive aspects of comparisons. Students need to learn this strategy to help them problem-solve and make appropriate choices in their life. Graphic organizers provide the perfect tool for students in identifying similarities and differences.
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Mary,
ReplyDeleteI like the point about students already know how to compare but lets teach them to do it in a positive resourceful way. It makes sense! :)
As for the homework discussion I think that giving students a reason to do homework (like finding a solution to a problem or testing a hypothesis) gives them control of their own education. I also think it promotes excellent problem solving skills!
Mary,
ReplyDeleteNice post. I agree that the homework and practice isn't my favorite, I did find it interesting about what other schools require for homework. But it really got me thinking about what homework I assign and if it is relevant to what we are learning in class.
Thanks!
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your comments about how students start comparing from the moment they start school. That is so true! I never thought about it like that before! Although Homework and Practice isn't my favorite strategy either, I have found some sites that make it fun for them and quicker, so they can often do the task at school and get it done with instant feedback and avoid taking it home. They do need practice most times!
Mary, I enjoyed reading your post! I couldn't agree with you more, students are constantly comparing themselves to peers, it is such a hard thing to teach them not to do. That is why grades at times are terrible, I always teach my kids that as long as they feel they are improving, that is all I ask, it doesn't matter what "Joe" does next to you!
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