Blog Archives

Self-Education and the Desire to Learn

3/27/2013

“Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.”
― Jim Rohn

When I read this quote, it stuck with me. I didn't know anything about Jim Rohn. Follow this link http://n.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Rohn if you would like to know more about Jim Rohn. I love the quote, because I feel the same way. The things you are taught formally often will lead to a job. You will be able to make a living with your knowledge. However, when you want to learn and seek out knowledge on your own... you often are so much the richer. It may be a monetary richness or a feeling of accomplishment and pride. When you seek out the knowledge on your own, it tends to be more of an awesome experience!
So the next question seems to be.... How do you encourage and facilitate the desire to learn so that self-education takes place? I believe that people are born with an innate desire to learn and that for some people, that desire is some how squelched. If this happens, there are many theories as to how to encourage and facilitate the desire to learn. Here is a list of links I have found on the subject:
*http://bprao.wordpress.com/2008/10/12/7-ways-to-facilitate-learning/
*http://www.educationoasis.com/resources/Articles/fosteringcuriosity.htm
*https://teal.ed.gov/tealGuide/studentcentered
*http://www.realage.com/kids-health/encouraging-kids-curiosity
*http://homeschoolingcoach.com/blog/2008/08/09/8-ways-to-encourage-curiosity/. There are many more links and much more information on the subject. However these are a good start.
Some of them are geared towards adult learners and some are more for children. Yet, they all seem to be transferrable to all learners. It is good to get ideas from various sources and sources meant for various people. As a matter of fact, difference is one of the catalysts for learning. The quote is even from a different source. Jim Rohn was not a teacher in the school system. He was a retailer, an entrepreneur and public speaker as well as a business trainer.
The key to facilitating, rekindling, and encouraging a desire to learn seems to be in attitude, curiosity, difference, questioning, exploration, interest, and meaning. What is the attitude of the teacher? What is the instructor roll modeling when it comes to education and the desire to learn? Curiosity is important. Have you ever been curious about something and couldn't sleep until you found the answer? Doesn't that encourage the desire to learn? Difference often leads to people wanting to know why things are different? What is better or worse about one or the other? There is also the benefit of different experiences and different ideas. What would happen if one aspect is changed? This leads to questioning. We have all known toddlers who ask a hundred questions in a day. While this may be bothersome in trying to get something done yourself... it really is a wonderful thing. All those questions show a great desire to learn. Don't squelch it! Learn from it! Sometimes it takes letting people explore and learn something that is interesting to them in order to foster a desire to learn. Exploration is like trying new things, seeing new things, feeling new things. Babies do that every minute of every day! All kinds of desire to learn there! Also, the desire to learn is enhanced if the subject is meaningful to the student or effects the student in some way....there is a connection in some way.
I like to talk about "great teachers." Great teachers know these things and try to do this during instruction. They find that individualizing instruction enables them to do this for their students. Great teachers try to individualize instruction to invoke questioning and curiosity. They encourage exploration and provide meaningful instruction. They also use and celebrate difference to encourage learning and growth.
What are your thoughts? I would love to hear from you! You can make a difference by sharing and helping us all see different ideas! Oh, and please share, share, share.... your ideas, your thoughts, your questions, this post, this blog, this website....! Thank you!

3 Comments

Common Core: Friend or Foe?

3/20/2013

5 Comments

I have heard some controversy in one of our countries biggest educational trends right now. It is called the "Common Core." The idea, if I am reading it correctly, is to make sure that all students are being taught at the same level throughout the United States and will equally be prepared for work and college. However, there is controversy as to whether or not it really does that or whether or not that really is the intention. If I understand it correctly, it was hoped to be a world-wide standard. However, that does not seem to be the way it is working out.
The Common Core has been adopted by 45 of the 50 states and the entire 45 states plan to have full implementation by the 2015/2016 school year. Most of the 45 states plan to have it in place before that. Please check out the map at the following site to see who is in and who is out. http://www.corestandards.org/in-the-states#nebraska. What is the position of your state?
I am adding a link to the Common Core State Standards Initiative's website http://www.corestandards.org here. Please check it out! On the site you will also be able to check out the actual standards that are becoming the driving force in schools all over the nation. Explore the site. There is quite a bit to take in. Here is another link for even more information http://www.hunt-institute.org/knowledge-library/articles/2010-4-28/background-information-on-common-core-standards/.
Now for the controversy...! No... I am not trying to spark controversy. I just want people to be aware, learn, see for themselves, and make their own decisions. I welcome different opinions, but don't like the accompanying arguments that often arise. I do believe that is important that we become aware of the important decisions around us and seek out answers for ourselves.
Here is a link http://www.glennbeck.com/2013/03/15/how-common-core-is-dumbing-down-america’s-schoolchildren/ to a video that made me curious about looking further into Common Core. If you get a chance watch it! Glenn Beck makes some strong comments against the use of Common Core on his program at "The Blaze TV." He feels that it would be gravely detrimental.
After watching the previous video, I also watched the video at http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/03/14/is-the-common-core-initiative-dumbing-down-americas-students/, also with Glenn Beck. You may want to watch that as well.
I also read the previous sites in favor of common core. I am hoping to look into it a little further as I hope you do as well. I do not know enough to make a clear opinion in one way or another. Although, as an educator, a citizen, a parent, and hopefully a future grandparent, I would like to know all that I can. I'd be pleased to know your thoughts regarding Common Core!

5 Comments

Meeting Individual Learning Needs (An Overview)

3/13/2013

6 Comments

One of the most important qualities in a great teacher is being able to meet individual learning needs of all students. This is no small feat, especially with growing class sizes. Yet, I think teachers.... really great teachers.... instinctively want to do what they can to teach all their students. So, they work very hard to give each student what they need and when they need it to learn and be successful!
There are many ways to do that, such as lesson modification and adaptation, tiering, differentiated instruction, motivation, holistic teaching, teaching to various learning styles, and much more.
Lesson modification, or adaptation, is often used for one or two students in a class. Teachers realize that even though they try to plan a lesson for all their students, sometimes it just won't work for one or two students. That is when they have to change the lesson just a bit. Maybe instead of reading a book, the lesson will be modified to watch a movie on the same subject. I found a wonderful list of ways to adapt lessons for various types of learners on the Reading Rockets site at http://www.readingrockets.org/article/370/. You may want to check it out if you have a struggling student.
Tiering is different. Often times it will be the same basic assignment, but at different levels. For example, all students may have to read a chapter in the social studies textbook. Yet, some will have it photocopied and will have to highlight the main points. Others might have to write a summary or an outline afterward. Still others may have to write a summary and also create study flashcards that may be used for partner studying in class at a later point. I found a book written by Sarah Armstrong that may be a great resource for this. Check it out at http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Tiering-Instruction-Differentiated-Classroom/dp/0545112664. Also you can find her website at http://www.leadingandlearningsolutions.com/index.php/blog.
Differentiated instruction is blanket term that refers to using any and all strategies to give each student what he or she needs. That could be lesson modification, tiering, teaching to several learning styles, etc.
Being able to motivate students is just as important as being able to teach the academics. I believe that all people have an innate desire to learn. However, sometimes that desire gets squelched. This is sometimes the case, even in very young students. They lose desire for one reason or another. A great teacher will do what he or she can to help get that motivation back. Engaging and meaningful lessons are key here. Rewards, praise, and treats don't hurt if given properly.
Holistic teaching is something that seems to be less practiced than it should be, I think. Great teachers realize that and use it! Holistic teaching, in a nutshell, is taking into consideration the whole person. Holistic teaching is realizing that teaching is not just relaying academic information. Holistic teaching is understanding that teachers wear many hats. It is understanding that if a child has a rotten home life, it will be more difficult to concentrate on learning. It entails understanding right and left brain functions and how the body works together for optimal learning capabilities. Here is a great place to start if you are interested in more information. Check it out at http://www.hent.org/intro3.htm.
Not all people learn the same. Some are visual learners, while some are audio learners. Others learn better by hands on activities. These people often "don't like book learning." These are just a few of the ways people learn. The theory, by Howard Gardner" that relates to this is "Multiple Intelligences." You can read more information at http://www.tecweb.org/styles/gardner.html.
This was just a quick overview of various things to consider while meeting individual student needs. I hope you found it informative and enjoyable! I strive to for both! I also strive to be that "great teacher" I have talked about in today's blog! In saying that... please let me know if there is any topic or idea that you would like me to discuss. I want to motivate you to read more, share the blog and site addresses, etc. I want to write engaging and meaningful blog entries. Thank you for stopping by!

6 Comments

Back, new, and improved!

3/6/2013

10 Comments

I'm So Excited to be Back!

Yes, I am so excited to be back! This was a case of making lemonade out of lemons. I was so sad to have that widget take over my site and to have no other choice than to delete the blog. Yet, good things have come out of it. Blog posts are planned to be weekly on Wednesdays! (I am still trying to find the schedule that works!)
First of all, I have a new look! I hope everyone enjoys it. I also have a new "blog motto" I guess you would call it. I have come up with words to go with each letter in the word blog.
The "B" for believe... believe that you can learn and will learn... and I will too! The "L" for learn..... I hope to facilitate a place to learn here! The "O" for optimize..... I hope to optimize your experience and learning opportunities here! The "G" for give.... I hope to give you the type of learning experience and knowledge that you desire!
Secondly, I hope to get more people involved! As you can see, I included some links in this post. I will try to keep it educational and not just marketing. But, I won't fool you to say that none of it is marketing. Honesty is the best policy... and I uphold the DUO motto of following the Golden Rule.... do unto others as you would have them do unto you!
As always, I want you to feel comfortable and inspired here! I want you to learn and to share! Feel free to comment or get in touch with me at any time! We can build this site together! Also, share, share, share! Give your friends, educators, homeschoolers, family members this website address. Let them get involved with the educational site that hopes to teach, learn from, inspire, and engage all people! (The Game Room /the-game-room.html is also safe for the little ones! I try to keep nonviolent, educational games that help with strategy, creativity, and academics on the site.)
New things are in the works! I can't wait to let you in on all the new changes for me!

I hear that it is "read an ebook week." Please check out the following site! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Read-an-E-Book-Week/193882590629749?group_id=0 That also means it would be a great time to get "Clarinda Cloud" on Kindle. It is a wonderful concept book that targets feelings and colors for ages 2-5. Please go to: http://www.amazon.com/Clarinda-Cloud-ebook/dp/B00BC2C38W. Thank you so much! This is a great way to promote reading in the 21st Century as ebooks seem to be the new trend! Other great educational books to check out include http://www.amazon.com/Learn-The-ABCs-Friends-ebook/dp/B00BJ4L1IQ by Sarah Bowman. It is a wonderful book with cute animals to help with learning the alphabet! And, http://www.amazon.com/Buzzzzzzzz-What-Honeybees-Do-ebook/dp/B004EYUD9G by Virginia Wright. This is a nonfiction book about honey bees... very informative! Here is a wonderful book to help children cope with loved ones with Alzheimer's Disease and dementia http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/green-kitty-alexandra-faer-bryan/1103826010?ean=2940014919036 by Alexandra Bryan.
Also, check out http://www.amazon.com/Tori-Jeans-Busy-Day-Tori-Jean-ebook/dp/B00AMNSQUQ by Jackie Williams. This is book one of a series. It sounds like the two year old character has a bunch to do! Speaking of a bunch to do... how about checking out a book where five sisters work together for a great cause? Check out http://www.amazon.com/Mommas-Little-Helpers-ebook/dp/B00BCLD1SE by Angie Harris. Here is a free one http://brigantinemedia.com/compass/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Meet-Issy-FREE.pdf which I think is part of a series. This is written by Pat "Gigi" Calfee.
I'd like to thank the authors for allowing me to post their links. I hope you enjoy all these books and more. Many of these authors have more than one title, including myself, so I hope you take time to check out all of the titles by these authors!

Speaking of reading... there is a great new online book club, I would like to share. It is a weekly webinar series where authors and readers get together to talk about books. It is expected to be a new hit.... readers get to discuss books with the authors. And, the best part is that is is FREE! Yes, free for the author and free for the reader! Check it out at http://angieharris.weebly.com/weekly-bookclub-webinar.html.

Notes:

March Marketing Marvel! If I get 20 purchases of my book in the month of March, I will put everyone's name in a hat and send a free copy to the winner! Here is how it works. Buy a copy! It doesn't matter whether you purchase it at one of the online outlets or from me. It doesn't matter whether it is in book form or on Kindle. Just go ahead and buy a copy. Then, message me that you bought it or post it on my wall. On April 1st, I will count the entries. If I have 20, I will put the names in the hat and draw one out for a free copy to be mailed. I will even sign it if you want me to! (Please don't just add your name as it won't work. I can tell how many books have been sold. I just can't tell who bought them. If the names don't add up with the amount of books bought, the contest will be null and void!) Enjoy and good luck!