Standard 2 Meta-Reflection: Learning Environment

Standard 2 Learning Environment: Creates and maintains school-wide and classroom environments that are safe, stable and empowering.

I analyzed a hypothetical student who had behavioral management issues in the classroom. Using human development and learning theories, I made suggestions about how this student could overcome these problems and achieve at a higher level in the classroom. I used Bandura’s social learning theory to provide insight into what caused this student’s behavior and what could be done to overcome it. Three areas I identified were gender roles, self-regulation and self-efficacy. These concepts, along with united and committed teachers, administrators, counselors and parents, could provide this student with the opportunity to grow and experience academic and social success at school. This artifact will serve me well in the future because it enables me to look beyond a problem student and see the root causes. I have the vocabulary and knowledge to interact with counselors and other specialists to develop a sound learning and behavior plan for students which will create safe, stable and empowering learning environments.

Artifact: Case Analysis Paper

A secondary artifact I created was an overview of social learning theories with an emphasis on John Locke. I conducted an overview of his learning development theory while focusing specifically on repetition, imitation and reward and punishment. My understanding of this theory along with others better equips me to understand how my students learn in the classroom and where each student is at developmentally. I can differentiate curriculum, assessments and pedagogy to reflect each student’s unique development. John Locke’s theories are particularly helpful because they focus on the entire range of a student’s life where other theories only cover the early years of development up to the primary grades.

Artifact: John Locke Reflection

Internet Safety

As the web 2.0 becomes a part of school curriculum, issues such as personal internet safety need to be addressed. Many students feel a false sense of security online because they have experience on social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace. Sites such as these offer built in security options which limit the amount of information others can see. However, when students post information to a public site such as a class blog, discussion board or other media, it is open for everyone to see if not protected properly.

The first step teachers need to take is educating their students about how to prevent personal information from getting on the web. The OSPI website offers links to resources including iSafe. The next step is for teachers to protect the sites by requiring registration and teacher approval before access is granted or a password known only to students. Teachers should also monitor these sites and remove any personal information such as pictures with names, personal details such as where students live and any other information which could identify individual students.

As teachers, we have a responsibility to keep our students safe. OSPI has also included it in their standards (Educational Technology EALR 2.1- Practice Safety: Demonstrate safe, legal and ethical behavior in the use of information and technology.) We have monthly fire drills, intruder drills and even an earthquake drill during the school year. Teachers also need to education students about how to keep themselves safe while on the internet.