Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Graduation/08

My Learning Profile

While I was not surprized by my results, I was very dishartened by the "status quo" label for the array thing which I completely had to redo after realizing that I had written the numbers backwards. I don't like being labeled to begin with since I feel that I defy labels but I am uncomfortable being labeled "status quo". So there you have it.

Unpacking Our Learning Profiles-- Elizabeth

I don't feel like I learned anything new about myself but rather had my character defects thrown in my face. Was that too dramatic? Be not surprised. In the My Way expression style inventory, I am categorized under "dramatization". That doesn't really feel like a learning style, but more of an obnoxious cry for attention ( no offense to the others who also scored in this category. You girls rock). I noticed that overall my style is nearly evenly divided between attention seeking and intensely active behavior and wanting to work independently and spend a strong desire to be alone. This makes me feel like I'm not a very likable person. I don't know. Maybe I'm being over dramatic.

Reflections on my Learning Style

For the most part, the modality instrument results were consistent with previous results. I prefer visual and kinesthetic/tactile equally with a very low emphasis on auditory learning. On the Sternberg instrument, I scored equally high in all three categories. Reflecting on those results, I feel that they are very accurate. I am creative in my approach to most tasks, analytical in my thinking, and practical in the results that I expect. There was one set of results that did suprise me. The results from the Array Interaction Inventory. I scored highest in Harmony and Status Quo. However, when examining some of the characteristics in these categories, I found that some of them did not fit personality at all. It is important to remember that while we may dominate in one area, we will not neccesarily match all the characteristics in that area. Overall, this was a great opportunity to reflect on my strengths and be very conscious of working on the other areas.

How Erin Batory likes to learn

I feel thoroughly evaluated...I had no idea how many ways there were to categorize how I prefer to learn and express myself. On the My Way inventory I tied for written and oral as my preferred expression styles but I was only one point away with dramatization (not surprising). I do enjoy writing and I think it is fairly obvious that I enjoy speaking so this was no major surprise. Both of these qualities lend themselves well to drama so I now officially approve of the My Way inventory as a faily accurate way to focus on how I prefer to express myself.
According to my numerous evaluations I am also a visual learner, I am analytical and my personal objectives/personality component is harmony. I'm cool with my results but I still don't know how I feel about these tests. I am just not sure that I am sold on things of this nature being so easily categorized.
With that in mind, I do think it is important to consider these things (differences in learning preferences, forms of self expression etc.) as a teacher and rely on them for delivering meaningful and authentic instruction to students.

Unpacking My Learnng Style - Who Am I? LaQuita Carter

No surprises here..... I found that my results were quite consistent with what I thought and what others have shared with me in the past. Personally I fell into the production category followed with a bit of harmony. I will consciously work on my connections and status quo areas in order to effectively meet the needs of all those I come in contact with, staff and students alike.

My learning style was primarily visual. However, in relationship to make instructional delivery and style of teaching I adhere to using the multiple intellgiences to guide my planning for all learners.

Unpacking My Learning Profile - Jessie Folk

What I found most interesting about my learning profile is that I learn best either kinesthetically or visually. I never thought of myself as a kinesthetic learner. Also, as I reflect on my teaching style, I realized that I tend not to create lessons that are kinesthetic/tactile. This is something that I need to be much more intentional about in my future instruction.

My Personality Objective is Status Quo. I think overall this describes me, but found some of the "Reluctant Behavior" to not describe how I interact with people when I am stressed or having a bad day. I do not disengage, delay, and I am not despondent. I think that I will withdraw but it doesn't prevent me from accomplishing my goals and I try not to let it interfere with my relationships.

If you like personality tests, take the Myers-Briggs Test. . .Really insightful and fun:)

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

Unpacking my learning style – Lesley Scott

I typically prefer learning in groups, bouncing my thoughts off other people and listening to how they respond. However, I’m also intrapersonal and like to take time to mull things over and reflect.

I am visual NOT auditory
I prefer using images, pictures, colors, and maps to organize information and communicate with others. I can easily visualize objects, plans and outcomes. I enjoy drawing, scribbling and doodling, especially with colors. I typically have a good dress sense and color balance (although not always!).

In the future I will use more strategies to enhance student learning and will not monopolize instructional delivery based on my personal learning style.

Rumination on Karen's Learning Profile

Nothing really surprised me about my learning profile. I mean it's not shocking that I have a "take charge" personality, right? I'm glad I chose to teach English as a vocation and profession because apparently that's what I do best. Components of my learning profile indicate that I am written/oral, linguistic, and analytical.

Last year, I asked my ADL students to fill out their learning profiles, and it was interesting to learn about various aspects of their learning styles and personalities. I didn't use this knowledge very effectively (or at all). I do, however, believe very strongly in its potential to inform planning and instruction. I want to offer my students many opportunities to learn in ways that are the best fit for them, and I'm eager to see how I will be able to facilitate this in the classroom this year.

I think that I model instructional strategies after my own learning style, especially visual. I almost never include tactile/kinesthetic learning in instruction. I don't really know how, so I'm curious to find out what other teachers are doing.

Are we loud?


Where's the bison?

Scavenger hunt videos.

Unpacking Our Learning Profiles

How do I express myself best to an audience?
What is my sensory preference while engaging in prolonged and complex leaning tasks?
How do I process information best?
What is my dominant intelligence or how do I think?
What is my personality type and how might it affect behavior?

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Listen Actively???

Feelin' ADL


After a rough class, teacher 1 thinks to himself,
"Already having a rough day, and I'm getting
FED UP with the garbage in the hallway!!"












Teacher 1 grunts at student to pick up the trash.
Student reacts with attitude and disgust.














An argument ensues!!











Teacher 2 sees the conflict and generously offers compassion and understanding so the two come to a compromise.










The garbage is put away.
Teacher 1 shows gratitude to Teacher 2. He feels the compassion and appreciates the generosity.


Sounds like...

ADL sounds like ...

Principle

Sounds like

Show gratitude.

“Thank you (for) ...”

“I appreciate ...”

“It’s nice of you to...”

Solve conflicts peacefully.

“I propose that we ...”

“I’d like to push back on ....”

“I understand that you ... I suggest ...”

“Why don’t we hear what everyone’s thinking about ...?”

“How about we compromise and ...”

“Let’s pause and think about this for a minute.”

Betsy, Becky, Melinda, Franklin

Communities around the world

Building Community

Milena, Mary and Tamika

Olympic Controversy

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=ddsscv6z_0vx4j4dg9&hl=en

Group 6 ADL Lesson (Elizabeth, Mia, Karen)

This is our ADL lesson.

Image Search Lesson

by Kate O, Dave and Hugo

Who, What, When Where Video

Who, What, When, Where Variation for ADL Class
by Laura Lowden, Brenda Brown & Cara Sherrard Blesch
ADL Showcase
ADL Lesson Template

Give One, Get One


Who - An elementary school age girl.

What – Give One, Get One Laptop Program. The girl is pictured walking with a laptop on her head. In Nigeria this is a cultural representation of value.

When – August 16, 2007

Where – Galadima School in Abuja, Nigeria

How - We had verbal dialogue about our predictions. Then we typed in a locator phrase in google images to try and find our picture. We found an exact match along with a front view of our lovely child.

E-Waste in Ghana.


Initial reactions: African boy in a refugee camp; Chicago junkyard; Child selling wires for profit; Poverty-stricken area; Area was industrialized; Developing country; Recycle or reuse the wires for "something".


1. Young boy in from a village in Ghana.


2. Our assumption is that the picture was taken in the last 5 years.


3. The picture was taken in Agbogbloshie, Ghana. Specifically, an e-waste dumping ground.


4. The picture is of a boy from Ghana burning wires to gain profit from the copper.


Upon finding the picture on the internet, we were led to a correlating website describing the e-waste situation in Ghana. The site is called, My Joy Online. The article, entitled "What you must know about e-waste dangers in Ghana," was written by Emmanuel K. Dogbevi. Upon searching the internet for information about this person, his background could not be obtained. Although his prolific Ghana knowledge, this information needs to be corroborated.

Group 6 (Elizabeth, Mia, Karen) Camp Picture Search



This image shows residents and flats in a Brazilian shanty town. It was taken in 2006-2007. The image reveals a "lack of basic infrastructure" in third world slums. The image accompanies an article about the increase of international volunteers.





http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0605/volunteer_work_in_brazil.shtml



Initially we thought this image showed an impoverished third world slum. Elizabeth said it reminded her of a "Save the Children" PSA, and Mia suggested the image might represent evidence of a natural disaster.

We had difficulty locating the image but eventually found it on Google Images.

Brazilian Shantytown

Group 2: Mary, Milena, Tamika
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0605/volunteer_work_in_brazil.shtml

Who/What is pictured? Described in this picture is a Brazilian Shantytown featured in an article titled "Volunteer Work in Brazil". This picture is demonstrating the need for public assistance in these types of impoverished communities. Pictured are stilted houses in a crowded development with apparent dirty living conditions. Seen are children in windows of houses with dilapated roofs and housing structures.

When is the picutre taken? Circa 2006.

Where is the picture taken? An undisclosed location in Brazil.

We researched topics that included impoverished communities, poor living and natural disasters. After asking for a clue and given the word "Brazil", we researched Brazil poor communities which lead us to the picture.

E-Waste in Ghana

What were our initial reactions?
-Sad, ironic, bleak. What happened, earthquake?
-Inspiring...using recycling to somehow care for his family
-The boy does not look very happy about the bundle of wires on his head...he looks grumpy
-The boy looks sad.

Who is pictured? Boy in Agbogbloshie, Ghana


When is the picture taken? Article: April 16th, 2008


Where is the picture taken? Agbogbloshie, Ghana


What is the picture? Boy is grabbing wires for scrapping/burning

Who, What, When, Where: Chicago City Hall by Laura, Brenda & Cara








Initial reactions
It’s a rooftop.

I’ve never seen anything like this on top of a building.
I’m a little confused.

  1. No one
  2. During the day, sometime before 09.2006
  3. Downtown Chicago, rooftop
  4. The green roof at the Chicago's city hall

Check your email

In order to add posts to the blog, you must respond to the email inviting you to become an author. Please check the email account that you listed yesterday. If you did not receive an email, see Joe Lyons.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Change In Room for Tuesday

Meet in Room 103 at 8:30 am.

Friday, August 1, 2008

7 Words

The original "seven words" come from the cover of Michael Pollan's book "In Defense of Food." He encapsulated his thoughts on eating with the following: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

The New York Times Health Blog, Well, ran a contest asking readers to submit their own seven words of wisdom. You can see some of the winning results here.

During Camp, we will also be running a "seven words" contest. The format is 2 words-3 words-2 words. You should email you entries to Joe Lyons at lyonsjsph@gmail.com by 11am on Tuesday. Starting Tuesday afternoon, you will be able to vote here for your favorite.

To get us started, here are our attempts at wisdom (humor) in seven words.

  • Comatose brain. Drank Starbucks Coffee. Feeling shaky.
  • Moved Twice. Delivered Two Babies. Desired Peace.
  • New year. Even more possibilities. Great expectations.
  • Time Away. Mental Health Regained. I'm ready!
  • Plan once. Assess for understanding. Plan again.
  • Make plans. Teach a class. Reality Check.
  • Hungry Now. Eat Large Pizza. Absolutely Scrumptious.
  • Teach content. Ignore the kids. Reevaluate career.
  • Really terrible. At word games. Tried anyway.

Have fun.