A few years ago, when my daughter was little, she asked me, "Hey mom, why do you like being a teacher?"
I told her it was because I liked motivating kids. She then said, "Oh, I thought it was because you like teaching." I realized what gets me up in the morning is not that I'm going to teach kids, it's that feeling we get when we see their faces light up when they get something, or when they discover the answer that nobody can find, thats why I love being a teacher. Motivation to learn something starts in the social or cultural context. Humans say, whats in it for me? I want to learn this because.... its going to help me do this job faster, I'm going to learn how to record the superbowl, or this tool will help me analyze my budget, what ever it is, it all starts with the learners interest and their motivation. I liked what the SITE model states about how sometimes we don't formulate goals until we realize theres a possible way into them. The SITE model article gives the example of the man walking around hardware store and considers installing solar heating when he realizes how easy it can be done by just seeing a demonstration. I loved this line, "Human beings are not just problem-solvers but seekers and exploiters of opportunities..." We need to understand the context of the learner, so that we can empower them. In the SITE model outline, I learned the major factors that are connected to the learner and that designers need to consider when designing a product. The sociocultural subcontext, which considers the learner's motives and goals. The Technical subcontext, which looks at the ways, tools, or techniques the learner can use to feel empowered and achieve their goals. The Informational subcontext, the skills and knowledge learners will need to access the information as literacy and mediacy. Learning this, made me think of how our education system is evolving. When I was young in elementary school, we would copy pages and pages of math problems, yet when asked to do a problem in real life, we couldn't because we needed paper or we couldn't do it because it wasn't set up in a perfect way like in the books. Same with the spelling tests, we used to do these long lists of spelling tests thinking we would become better spellers and writers. Now we have realized that if we can teach the different patterns and rules, spelling becomes easier. I guess, what I'm trying to say is that the model of teaching in "one way fits all" is no longer possible. Everybody is at different levels, we all have different interests, skills and motives in life. There is more competition in everything, we need to train learners to be able to use and transfer skills in all directions. We are not giving the kids the fish, we are teaching them how to fish.
3 Comments
An Truong
3/19/2018 09:50:53 pm
I love your last sentence, "We are not giving the kids the fish, we are teaching them how to fish." As a young student in school, I felt I wasn't able to keep up with the smart "gate" students. As a teacher today, all students learn at different levels. A good teacher will provide strategies and scaffolding to help that student. We are similar in teaching perspective, I enjoy motivating students and witnessing their success of the outcomes is priceless to me.
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Marisabel Olguin
3/19/2018 09:58:31 pm
I also liked that line in the SITE module about humans being seekers and exploiters of opportunities. It may be because in our culture we see examples in our parents and all those around us making the most of any opportunity that presents itself. They are hustlers with the motivation to make their dreams happen with hard work, willing to learn whatever will help them succeed.
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Diana Olguin
3/20/2018 11:34:27 pm
As I reflect upon why I enjoy being a teacher, I am in agreement with you, it is the joy of seeing my students' faces light up when a math concept is understood or when a science project is complete. As teachers, we are practicing with as many tools and resources as we can keep up with from this program, to transfer our skills and knowledge to our student population. There is so much more to learn...
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