1. Youth, Technology & Learning
If students work in groups in the classroom and on projects, then they are more likely to learn more because they are working with students with other life experiences, with different abilities, and thus will be hearing other student's perspectives, and approaches to problems and classroom work. In the video "Youth, Technology, & Learning", Anna, Casey Morgan and Sarah talked about the advantages of working in groups. Anna said "the hardest way to work is alone. Even though we'll be talking [during group work], you really can get stuff done when you're with friends." Morgan added that "You learn a lot more with it when you're talking with people about it." Morgan further explained that when you're working with people, you learn other methods of approaching a problem. When talking about others and her experiences with it, she said "You're talking with someone, and you're like 'you're doing it that way? I never knew that.' By yourself you don't learn anything but what you know and what the teacher knows. When you're working with others it's everyone's knowledge." Vygotsky would contend that cognitive development is enhanced by social interaction through his theory of cognitive apprenticeship which holds that "two heads are better than one" (Goodman, 2008, p. 26). As a teacher, I will include group work and social interaction through class discussion in my pedagogy to enhance student learning. I believe that it is beneficial for not only my students, but for me as a teacher to hear other perspectives and approaches to problems.
2. Is Anybody Listening?...
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If a student is dealing with emotions of stress, loss of control of their destiny, and uncertainty in the future, then students will not be able to perform in school at an optimal level because they will not be able to fully concentrate. Maslow would agree with this statement, because he believes that if a student's basic needs for survival, their safety needs for comfort, and their psychological needs are not met, then the student's learning will be impacted. The video "Is Anybody Listening?..." was about a language arts AP class and how the economic crisis has impacted them. The story was very emotional and included candid interviews with students whose lives are not full of stress and uncertainty because their parents have lost jobs and are struggling to make ends meet. One student, Maritssa, said "My Mom, I see her struggling. I can't do anything about it. I wanna help her but she wantes me to focus on school. But I can't focus on school when I know that she's struggling. And it's just really hard." As a teacher, I will make the school learning environment a safe, predictable, and stable one, so that it is comfortable for them. Although I can't take them out of a difficult situation they might be in, I will be a teacher that students can turn to and vent or just talk to when the going gets tough.
3. YOUTH VOICES
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If a student has a caring teacher that believes in their students and their abilities, and displays their caring in their pedagogy, then the students will have more self-confidence and will inherently want to succeed. Eric had explained in the video that his Dad works hard every day in the sun to make ends meet. His teacher, Mr. Felix, believed in Eric and told him not to give up so that he could help his family out. "I like some of the teachers that try to hellp me, like Mr. Felix. He never gave up on me," said Eric, "Eric, don't you wanna help out your Dad? Just work hard in school." As Noddings says, a trusting and caring student-teacher relationship is essential for learning to occur. As a teacher, I will believe in my students and let them know that I believe in their abilities, because a caring relationship with your students intrinsically motivates students, and builds their own self-confidence and belief in themselves that they will be successful not only in school, but in life.
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