According to Websters Dictionary Language is: the words, their pronunciation, and the methods of combining them to be used and understood by a community. Although, there was many different definitions of language, this definition was the closest to what I believe language is. Language means a lot because it is a way in which I can communicate with other people. However, I believe that language includes not just verbal communication but non verbal communication; like body language. Body language is a major non verbal tool in communication. Even within place that speak one language, they have different symbols and customs that others might misinterpret. Language is defiantly within a community or group of people. For example, you might talk one way at work and another way around your family. You still speak "English" but its a different language because if an outsider came to your house they would not understand what you and your family was communicating. I am not sure that language can ever have one specific or direct meaning because everyone interprets it differently.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Kumaravadivelu (Chapters 1 & 2)
The book explains teaching as a vocation. Meaning that teaching "goes well beyond sustenance and survival; it guarantees personal autonomy and personal significance." Also, that the role of a teacher is varied and viewed differently by many people. Teachers as Passive Technicians are teachers that distributes a constant flow of knowledge to the students; there in becoming the expert and making the students solely learners.There is no experience based learning or teaching. Teachers as Reflective Practitioners are ones that constantly reflective upon their teaching and uses life experiences to help them with their reflections. The teacher views themselves as constantly learning and growing. This does not really give much attention to the students reflective process but is probably good to better individual teachers within the classroom. Teachers as Trans-formative Intellectuals are probably the most evolved and knowledgeable. Not only do they reflect upon themselves but upon the social-political issues of teaching. They are committed to action and the shaping of their students ideas.
Chapter 2 focuses on the different methods of teaching. Such as Language-Centered and Learning-Centered Methods and the pro's and con's of each method. However, I really found chapter 1more interesting because it really seems to cover every aspect of what people expect as a teacher. As a student I have experienced every different kind of teacher; from the teacher that spoon feeds information, to the ones that constantly want to improve their teaching, to the ones that want to improve all aspects education. Teachers that are Passive Technicians seem to aim their success based upon how well their students do in standardized test. That kind of teaching barely helps students to actually learn, it just memorizing meaningless facts. It was rare that I had a teacher that was a Trans-formative Intellectual. It seems like teachers that fall into this category are rare because teachers that fit most of the guidelines, do not fit all of them. Most teachers fall into the Reflective Practitioners group. Where they are constantly trying to improve their teaching and their classroom but they do not really focus on the social-political issues of education. I think it is important to strive to be the best and that means teachers should not only be informed about the classroom but about the social-political issues that go on outside the classroom.
Like stated in chapter 1, "To teach is to be full of hope." Larry Cuban, 1989, p.249. I believe that these words sum up how I feel as a person who wants to become a teacher. I am full of hope for the future of teaching, for my future students and for myself as a teacher.
Chapter 2 focuses on the different methods of teaching. Such as Language-Centered and Learning-Centered Methods and the pro's and con's of each method. However, I really found chapter 1more interesting because it really seems to cover every aspect of what people expect as a teacher. As a student I have experienced every different kind of teacher; from the teacher that spoon feeds information, to the ones that constantly want to improve their teaching, to the ones that want to improve all aspects education. Teachers that are Passive Technicians seem to aim their success based upon how well their students do in standardized test. That kind of teaching barely helps students to actually learn, it just memorizing meaningless facts. It was rare that I had a teacher that was a Trans-formative Intellectual. It seems like teachers that fall into this category are rare because teachers that fit most of the guidelines, do not fit all of them. Most teachers fall into the Reflective Practitioners group. Where they are constantly trying to improve their teaching and their classroom but they do not really focus on the social-political issues of education. I think it is important to strive to be the best and that means teachers should not only be informed about the classroom but about the social-political issues that go on outside the classroom.
Like stated in chapter 1, "To teach is to be full of hope." Larry Cuban, 1989, p.249. I believe that these words sum up how I feel as a person who wants to become a teacher. I am full of hope for the future of teaching, for my future students and for myself as a teacher.
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