Week 1: The Starting Point

Part 1:

1. You discussed Skinner, Piaget, and Vygotsky in Methods I.  What are their viewpoints and how has that helped shape your current view and learning theory?

Skinner was all about Behaviorism. He believed that learning is a function of managing behaviors, and that positive reinforcement is the best way to correct behavior. Though Skinner's ideas are relevant in classroom management, it shouldn't be the basis of learning. Piaget and Vygotsky both believed in Constructivism, which means that learning happens only when the student creates knowledge for themselves. This means that the focus of the classroom should be on the students and their knowledge, not on the teacher and her knowledge. 

2. What are the key components of a learning environment?  How are these linked to learning theory and your current view?

First and foremost, the learning environment needs to be a safe place. Students need to have the space to formulate their own ideas and feel comfortable sharing them. Having students come to know an idea on their own aligns with Constructivism, and being able to maintain a safe leaning environment can include some elements of Behaviorism. I firmly believe that students will be unable to learn if they feel threatened, and that the being wrong is an essential part of the learning process. 

3. What are you most looking forward to learning about? What areas would you like to make sure you are exposed to regarding teaching/learning? What concerns do you have?

I am looking forward to bringing the focus away from theoretical learning practices to successful application. I am excited to get into classrooms and get my feet wet. I would like more training in preparing content/lesson planning. I would have to say that I am most nervous about classroom management, and creating interest in my lessons. 

 

Part 2: 

What are your best understandings about the following:

1. How the phases of the moon occur?

The phases of the moon are determined by the location of the viewer on Earth and the sun shining on the moon. The sun is always lighting up half of the moon, the phases are just a product of how much of it is visible based on our location on Earth. From the perspective of the viewer on the Earth, if the moon is in front of the sun, it will look like a new moon. If the Earth is between the moon and the sun, the moon will look full. If the moon is parallel with Earth and perpendicular to the sun, the moon will look like a quarter moon. It is important to note the the path around which the moon travels around the Earth is not on the same plane in which the Earth travels around the sun. 

2. What causes the seasons?

Seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis. In the summer months, the area of the Earth is exposed to more solar radiation (sunlight) and is therefore warmer. In the winter, the region is exposed to less sunlight and is therefore colder. It is a misconception that the seasons are caused by the proximity to the sun. In the northern hemisphere, our winter is actually when the Earth is closest to the sun! 

3. What causes a lunar eclipse?

A lunar eclipse happens when the moon is blocked out by Earth's shadow. This is a semi rare occasion because the moon's orbit is not on the same plane as Earth's orbit around the sun. 

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