“In classrooms where participation is meager, the low performance of students is routinely misjudged as low achievement. Bur the actual cognitive levels of students are hard to measure in teacher-centered class-room where students participate minimally. An accurate picture of what students know and can do is possible only when students really want to perform at their best.”
I really liked this quote because I agree with it. There were some kids in my old high school that very rarely participated. Yet when it came down to it they were some of the smartest kids in our class. They either didn’t have the energy or feel the need to participate or they were just always 5 steps ahead of the class so what was taught at the time was boring for them. So in many cases participation does not reflect the knowledge of the student.
“The students in that media class learned subject matter through student-centered problem-posing in a critical dialogue, not through my lecturing them in a banking fashion.”
I think this way of teaching is a more hands on approach. I know that I work better as a student when I am discovering things on my own. When it comes to a lecture I do learn but it is more difficult for me to remember the facts. It is easier for me to really gain knowledge when I am working towards answering my own question with some help from the professor. I find that I don’t memorize facts when I learn that way, I know the facts.
“Situated, multicultural pedagogy increases the chance that students will feel ownership in their education and reduces the conditions that produce their alienation.”
I think that when it comes to learning a student that feels alienated will not be able to go far or achieve much. There is more of this sense of work rather than enjoyment. On the other hand a student that is strongly involved works hard and is actually finding an interest and immersing themselves in the education world. It feels more as if they are doing it for them.
I completely agree with your first quote. The valedictorian of my class never talked to anyone and never spoke one word in class but he was so smart. Also, I know of many other people who are really shy and do not like to speak in front of the class but they are very smart. What it comes down to is some students do not feel comfortable speaking in front of others and would rather keep their thoughts to themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the first two quotes you mentioned. I do not think that a student should be judged academically on how much they participate because some students do not like to participate. Some students also are ahead of everyone else so they may feel bored and that it is pointless. I remember one boy in my class in high school was brilliant but socially he was awkward. He did not volunteer much but would receive A's on everything and this was because he got nervous in front of people. I also agree that a hands on approach is a better form of teaching; however, some students learn differently so the teacher might have to lecture and then follow it with a hands on activity as an example to the lesson.
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