Should Schools Require Computer Science Classes?

     

       It's not hard to wonder how gaining more computer skills could benefit your career. Computers have impacted just about every field that exists and are continuing to influence our lives more and more each day. Does this mean our students should be required to take more computer courses? Computers are being used more and more in the classroom and advancements have lead to the creation of some very powerful learning tools. The following video shows some of the biggest influences on computers and the internet promoting computer science.

       A career in computers is a reasonable prospect given the ever increasing need for computer scientists. New jobs are created every day for those with training in computer science. However, I think it's also important to note that nearly every job involves computers and increases the effectiveness of the fields they contribute to. For example, during my student teaching at Sheridan Elementary in Bloomington, Illinois, every class was equipped with a smart board. While the instructor knew enough to use the board for a few fun activities, I was able to turn it into a much more powerful learning tool due to my knowledge of computers. THIS website also offers a variety of Smart Board activities.

       Another example of how technology has influenced my career is when I was a teachers aide in a special education classroom. My student was nonverbal and relied sign language to communicate. He also had a touch talker communication device that he and the staff did not know how to use. One of my biggest projects at this school was teaching my student how to use the device and creating pages for him to use for his classes. Teachers must be able to adapt their lessons to a diverse group of learners, and this technology offers a way to do just that. THIS youtube channel contains many tutorial videos and ideas for adapting the device to meet the individual student's needs.

       With limitless benefits, computers should be a part of every student's academic requirements. However, urban schools have much less technology and less access to computers. Students in urban areas are also less likely to encounter computers outside of the classroom. THIS article discusses how while most schools are plunging into technology, urban schools are left behind. If experience with computers is becoming exponentially more important in our society, shouldn't all students have access to technology at school?

The opinions expressed here by me (and those providing comments) are mine or theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of AUSL, NLU, or any employee thereof. Neither AUSL nor NLU are responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied here or in any linked web site.

Black History is Bigger Than Slavery

When I think about what I was taught about black history in school, I only remember lessons on slavery and prejudice. While these are significant to our countries history, they have become the default topics when discussing black history. In her article "Black History is Bigger than Slavery," Raluca Albu addresses the issue that schools tend to focus on a few events affiliated with a very rich culture. Students can still learn the standard content presented in history classes while also gaining a better understanding of how other cultures influenced these events. Other cultures are also excluded from many notable events in history giving students a incomplete picture of how other cultures have contributed to the history of the world. When students are given the opportunity to learn the true impact that other cultures have had on our world, they gain a greater appreciation for the diversity they will encounter in their own lives. I agree with Raluca Ablu that out schools should teach about cultures beyond what is required in the current content standards. Her article can be read here.

As Raluca Albu says in her article, "... to give students a fighting chance of living in a more equitable society, we have to change the way we teach them." When students only associate black history with specific events, they often wonder if that was the only contribution that black culture made to history. The National United States History Content Standards for Grades 5-12 treat black history as a separate part of history and fail to incorporate many significant contributions this culture has made to our world. Students often associate black history with the slavery, the Civil war, and the Civil Rights Movement. What about the impact that Crispus Attukus, a black man, had on the American Revolution? When we teach about Ellis Island, do we teach about the black immigrants? To provide students with a well rounded education, we must incorporate aspects of every culture in our lessons. In the following video, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie discusses how our culture often as a single view of certain cultures.

This sort of "single story" thinking can be seen across all cultures discussed in schools. Specific cultures are associated with a select number of events as if that's the only significant impact they've had on the world. The principals that Raluca Albu is asking teachers to apply to their classrooms can be implemented across all subjects for all cultures. In today's schools , Native Americans were just the people we took land from and the Japanese bombed us in World War II. This gives the impression that our history is primarily driven by white males and only somewhat influenced by minority cultures. However, other cultures have had a significant impact on the history of America and the world. For example, the Great Depression is often filled with stories of the struggles of white people. What about the other immigrants and natives that were present during this time? How can we promote diversity and acceptance in our schools if we only teach about how one race has impacted history?

Providing students with a well-rounded view of other cultures is especially important in today's society. First, it provides students with a greater appreciation for other cultures. Click here for some cultural lessons you can use in your classroom. Students should be immersed in multiple aspects of all cultures they are learning about to gain a greater understanding of the many events, traditions, and customs that have become a part of history. Not only can students learn about the details of a cultures history, but also explore their music, food, and customs. When students realize how rich culture is, they become more accepting of the diverse world we live in. Secondly, students gain a more personal understanding of their own culture and family heritage. When students can make connections to their own lives or the lives of their friends and classmates, they become much more interested and engaged in the subject. Making lessons culturally relevant and captivating is especially important in an urban classroom. Students much greater appreciation for other cultures when they are given a chance to explore how exciting and important other cultures are.

The opinions expressed here by me (and those providing comments) are mine or theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of AUSL, NLU, or any employee thereof. Neither AUSL nor NLU are responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied here or in any linked web site.

The Homework Debate

       Many studies are being conducted in an attempt to support the use of homework, but many are failing to do so. Alfie Kohn, author of "The Homework Myth," believes there is no correlation between student achievement and homework in elementary schools. He also believes there is little evidence that homework is necessary in high school and may even decrease a student's interest in learning. While some homework is good, memorizing facts for a quiz or circling words on a page can be virtually meaningless in regards to student learning. There is a notable increase in the amount of homework being given to elementary students. Watch this video to see why Alfie Kohn thinks this is detrimental to achievement in elementary schools.

       

       Homework should focus on quality rather than quantity. Spending countless hours rehearsing information that will be recalled on a future test has little to no value if the content is not useful and engaging. Assignments should make students excited to learn and enhance their learning experience. Many students do not have the resources they need to complete assignments at home. Some students don't have access to a computer or internet while others are from families still learning English. Without the necessary resources needed to work at home, these students are failing benefit from the work they are given. This poll done by debate.org shows that most people agree that homework should be reduced and contains comments from both sides of this argument.

       I remember dreading being assigned homework while I was in school. Not only was it time consuming, I also did not have much support at home. By the time I finished my homework, it was well passed my bedtime and I began to suffer from sleep deprivation. I was already capable of demonstrating what I had learned in class, but this began to change when I was too tired to focus in school. Too much time was spent drilling concepts I already knew while I failed to see the importance of what I was learning and lost interest in school. Some of my homework included teaching myself to perform mathematical calculations we had yet to cover in class. Our teacher believed reading the textbook was enough to grasp the concept that we would have to demonstrate on our homework that night. Often times, my parents were unable to help me and I failed many homework assignments. The work I did in class propelled my understanding, but the homework I was given often told a different story. My homework grades where low but my performance on tests was far beyond that of my classmates. Despite my excellent test scores, I was labeled as an average student because of the homework I was given.

       Alfie Kohn compares homework to weather; We believe homework is just a part of life that we cannot change. However, the more research that is done and made known to other teachers the better chance we have to make effective change in our schools. When homework is assigned, it should be meaningful and worth the time the student will put in. With so many studies supporting the uselessness of homework, we as educators must consider whether the work we assign outside of class benefits our students. Click here for some strategies regarding homework.

The opinions expressed here by me (and those providing comments) are mine or theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of AUSL, NLU, or any employee thereof. Neither AUSL nor NLU are responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied here or in any linked web site.