Comments for ECE NewsWatch

Comment on Must Watch! A New Video About the Importance of Play by Rene

Rene — Tue, 01 May 2012 02:49:36 +0000

Hi Barb. OK. I admit that I have taken too long to get back to you on this but I confess that I was unrsue what you meant by professional ethos when it came up during the workshops. I felt stupid admitting it. But I’ve done some Googling and wrapped my head around what you are getting at I think. If this is just too simplistic, bear with me and let me know where I’m off base. You want students to leave your course knowing how to:1. Establish credibility (ethos) both as an individual writer and as the representative of an organization.2. Evaluate their audiences to make the most effective rhetorical choices.3. Write in both traditional and emerging formats.You plan to design your course so that students will be grappling with questions of ethos and rhetorical choices in every format you assign.Something like that???

Comment on Must Watch! A New Video About the Importance of Play by Cris

Cris — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:22:24 +0000

The three take-aways for my business writnig course are something like this:1. Students will be able to create a professional ethos. We’ll practice creating a professional ethos with every public communication we have during the class (to include discussion boards, etc.). The hope is that by studying what ethos is, how it is created, and examining examples of individual ethos and brand ethos (or identity), students will leave the class being able to establish themselves as trustworthy and credible professionals (on an individual level) and be able to apply techniques of individual ethos to creating an ethos (or identity) for the business they will work for in their future career.2. Students will be able to understand [not the best word here, but my brain isn't working well this morning] the different rhetorical choices a professional business writer must make these rhetorical choices are determined by audience (discourse community?), development of ethos, application of pathos, and an understanding of logos (and other techniques). The rhetorical choices will help them to make appropriate decisions about genre, document design, vocabulary, etc.3. Students will practice writnig in different genres commonly used in business communication. These include traditional formats (like letters, memos, and resumes) but also include social media and other forms of electronic communication (like emails, texting, and instant messaging).Thanks in advance for the feedback!Barb

Comment on Must Watch! A New Video About the Importance of Play by Toing

Toing — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:47:47 +0000

Forgive me; I’m a procrastinator, I’m catehing a bit, and I’ve listed nine Below are the course objectives & learning outcomes listed on the syllabus for my FCS 105: Individual & Family Life Development course and I cannot claim full authorship (I’m new faculty I was told, Don’t try to reinvent the wheel yet ).I like the first three, could do without #4 through #8 as they seem a bit redundant with #2 and #3 (i.e., the roles and responsibilities of all players individual, family, community, etc. , parenting, theoretical foundations, and influences on development should be understood if #1 through #3 are effectively covered). I also like #9, however, I think I would tweak it and put more emphasis on individuals, then families, and finally (maybe) human services professionals I can barely get through individual and family development, let alone human services. Students who complete this course will be able to…1. Distinguish patterns of basic human and family development across the lifespan.2. Evaluate the role of societal trends and issues as they affect development of individuals and families.3. Explain the significance of family for individuals and its impact on the well-being of the individual and society.4. Explain the roles and responsibilities of the individual in family, work and community settings.5. Explain the roles and responsibilities of parenting across the lifespan.6. Use theoretical foundations to describe, analyze, and predict behaviors in individual and family development.7. Distinguish significant influences on individual and family development.8. Recognize the role of human services agencies and professionals as they support individual and family development.9. Recognize variations in personal and diverse beliefs and values (including your own) among human services professionals, and individuals and families they serve.

Comment on Must Watch! A New Video About the Importance of Play by Elaina Hull

Elaina Hull — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:28:34 +0000

This video puts in to light all of the issues we are dealing with in our education system today. I am so strongly against the academic push in the early childhood years, that I am writing my graduate thesis on this topic. It is equally as important for parents as well as educators to watch this video and become knowledgeable on early childhood development. I am a Kindergarten teacher and it concerns me that parents want to see worksheets and teacher directed activities going home. Many people feel that this type of academically rigorous teaching will push their children to become successful in school, when in actuality it does the exact opposite.

Comment on The Latest Issue of Early Childhood News by Ihearta Taylor-Reid

Ihearta Taylor-Reid — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 16:53:01 +0000

I would like to do a course in early childhood education ,i was a teacher in my country for twelve year.I need to know what course to take to be a teacher in New York

Comment on Must Watch! A New Video About the Importance of Play by Chana

Chana — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:42:29 +0000

This is a great video that reminds us how important play is and how much it is being forgotten about. Children learn through play and natural environment teaching. If schools start placing such a strong emphasis on formally testing kindergarten children, they will start losing the motivation and excitement for school. This may even lead to school becoming an aversive stimuli. At that age, it should be fun and educational combined!

Comment on Must Watch! A New Video About the Importance of Play by Devora Unger

Devora Unger — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:52:48 +0000

As being an early educational educator I knew and continue to know that learning through play is more fulfilling for young children. I know this from my own experience working for a school that that bases their philosophy classrooms “on the knowledge that children learn best through play” and from my classes in early education (http://www.brooklynfreespace.org/about.html). But watching the video “the importance of play” gave me further insight to the importance of play.
The one line I remember most from watching the video was “five year olds need activities for how a five year old learns.” At this age children need to be engaged in the learning in more ways than one; the video called them “active learners.” They learn best when the lesson affects them physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively. When a lesson comes from means of exploration and discovery, the child gain a deeper knowledge of internalizing the information. During these moments it is up to the teacher to ask the right questions to help the child learn more or make an understanding of what happened. And if they do not then we shouldn’t worry about but find another means to teach what we aimed to teach them. In my school the activities the teacher leaves out are there to “emphasize the process rather than the product, fostering a sense of accomplishment and pride” (http://www.brooklynfreespace.org/about.html). Thus the children enjoy the art of learning.
I always knew that learning through play was more beneficial but thanks to this video I now I have new information to pass on if ever confronted with my philosophy. I can now say that “in play oriented classrooms, the following are being nurtured: discovery, inquiry, problem-solving, cooperation, persistence, oral-language, and creativity.” Then I will follow up with saying that it takes the right teacher, like me, to create a balance to teach the academics these children need while fostering play. And in the long run, the parents will see a difference when their child comes home excited to tell them the new things they experienced and learned at school.

Comment on Must Watch! A New Video About the Importance of Play by Michelle Camacho

Michelle Camacho — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:19:33 +0000

Watching this video was great because it really showed how learning through play is a great method for children to learn and grow. Our society is mainly focus on academic that many tend to lose sight on what is best for the children. We do not need to presuure children in kindergarten to read at a first grade level but teach our children how to grow socially and emotionally. Learning through play helps children develop their own way of thinking. Creating so much pressure on young children does not help them get to the next level but only brings them a step back. Play base models need to be brought back to the classroom in order to see results!

Comment on Must Watch! A New Video About the Importance of Play by Tamisha

Tamisha — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:35:10 +0000

This is such an important topic in the field of education, especially now that play is being almost completely removed from the classroom. It is frustrating to know that the city and state still believe that testing is a more effective assessment of student learning than play. Play provides opportunities for the child to grow in various developmental areas whereas academics alone stimulate cognitive development. I am glad that the video mentioned the research concerning early readers and the fact that they are not better than late readers. Parents and educators should not feel like they have to force children to read so soon. The video encourages educators to teach children to be active learners. In the public schools teachers are required to teach to the standards and use most of the school day in teaching academics. I believe teachers can still teach active learning through the way we construct our lessons and by the questions we ask our students. Developing questions that will encourage students to think on a deeper level and providing time for free exploration will help to promote inquiry and discovery in their learning. This is something I am personally working on as an educator.

Comment on “Welcome to your Child’s Brain” Authors Interviewed on Fresh Air by Nisrine Shehadeh

Nisrine Shehadeh — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:37:33 +0000

The title of this book is what initially drew me in to read this post. From observing friends and family, I have found that many adults have a difficult time imagining what is happening in their child’s mind – how they are perceiving and experiencing the world around them. I see that they often fall into a power struggle and end up dealing with tantrums and tears because they are not fully understanding the child’s perspective or stage of development. As a kindergarten teacher, I also fall into this trap at times. The authors of the book make many important points that are helpful to both parents and teachers. I especially think it is important for us to remember the element of fun. Children are willing to go along with us when their imaginations are engaged. The ideas of guarding a castle, or tip toeing so that the Sleeping Giant doesn’t wake up, or even the classic “quiet game”, allow children to pretend and take on a new persona or emotion. The parent’s need for quiet is met, but more importantly, the child has been invited to take ownership of the experience. A child who is easily distracted from completing basic tasks (such as getting dressed for soccer practice) can be motivated by racing to see who will make it first to the car. Who doesn’t like to win first place? When parents and teachers are able to engage young children in fun, then both parties are happy and a positive relationship can be built.