EDU 5011 - Educational Studies Final Reflection

Brett Santo

Dr. David McGough

EDU 5011 - Educational Studies

December 15, 2014

Final Reflection: Educational Studies

This seminar in Educational Studies proved to be an immensely valuable class for a variety of reasons, and I am very pleased to have taken this course this semester. 

Firstly, I believe that the content discussed is pertinent to virtually every career housed under the educational paradigm. Furthermore, I believe that the material provided a strong foundation for my future studies in this Masters program. I particularly enjoyed the design of the curriculum, starting with the understanding of educational theory. I believe that this set up the foundation of knowledge that is necessary to bolster one’s arguments/claims in the future. I found the Palmer readings to provide evidence of a vast array of educational theories, some of which include Empiricism, Rationalism, Dualism, Wholism, and Behaviorism. Additionally, I enjoyed learning about educational theory and then applying it to present real-world examples. This thought process allowed for further abstract analysis of various topics. I feel that the curriculum structure was conducive for a broader understanding of all the topics. I first understood educational theory, then learned about myself through life-story analyses. I then examined the history of education, and finally explored how to create an inclusive classroom. I feel that all of these topics provided me with a diverse portfolio of knowledge for my future. 

Secondly, I found the diversity among the students to foster an extremely valuable experience. Being with a diverse group of students holding various job titles, provided for an experience that was both enlightening and thought-provoking. I enjoyed learning about their different perspectives on life and education. Also, the diverse knowledge and experiences that were present in the classroom allowed for truly deep discussions about the topics. I also enjoyed the fact that there were different assignments for the various cohorts of students. Having two or three different curriculums or assignments going on simultaneously allowed for even more content to be covered. I really enjoyed the infrastructure and the variety of material that was covered in this class.

Thirdly, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed all of the readings that were assigned. I found the McAdams book to be enlightening and truly enjoyable. I’ve had some experience with the concept of a “life story”, having delved into the material in various psychology classes, however, I enjoyed analyzing people’s life story through McAdams’s lenses. I found his perspectives to be truly enlightening. For example, I absolutely love the way that he describes the interconnectedness of people in the world. McAdams posits, “The stories we create influence the stories of other people, those stories give rise to still others, and soon we find meaning and connection within a web of story making and story living” (McAdams, 1993, p. 37). Moving forward, I will certainly use his perspectives to analyze many people’s life stories. 

I also enjoyed the book about the history of education, as I found it intriguing and insightful. I loved the way in which she presented the different educational eras, and found her outlook on the future to be inspiring. Graham states, “Let us hope that our successors a century from now will find their educational institutions as much improved then as we find ours compared to those of our predecessors” (Graham, 2005, p. 256). The protean world of education needs teachers and professors who can be malleable and adaptive in nature. Having the knowledge of a broad range of topics allows for this flexibility. 

I also found the book about inclusion to be very enjoyable as well. I particularly enjoyed how the author offered perspectives as they related to the life course. This provided the reader with various perspectives about “disabilities” and how they influence one’s life at various stages. One quote that resonated with me the most was, “The very idea of ‘curing’ disability is the core element in the discrimination of disabled people because the ‘curing ideal’ resides in conformity and normalcy” (Priestley, 2003, p. 57). I found this quote to represent one of the larger themes presented in the book, which focused on conformity and normalcy. I do not believe that there is such a thing as normalcy, or a normal person. Instead, I contend that we live in a world where we have formed an intricate web of differing people that all want the same thing - to be recognized as equal. I also have to say that I very much enjoyed the inclusion discussion assignment of the class. I found the discussion to truly delve into this important topic further than any paper or presentation could have. I certainly hope that this discussion stays in the curriculum in the future.

I strongly believe that future classes should maintain the variety of project options that were presented. I thoroughly enjoy writing, however, I feel that this class touched different aspects of one’s intelligences, and thus allowed for greater comprehension. There should always be a myriad of choices for students due to the diverse learning styles. One example that supports this claim can be seen in the Foundational Studies Project. Allowing members of the class to work together in a group allowed for an inclusive and creative environment. Additionally, presenting in front of the class fostered a further comprehension for the material. Furthermore, I gained a further appreciation and became passionate about the content of our presentation.

There are only a couple of suggestions, changes, or comments that I have about the class. Firstly, I am certainly cognizant of the importance of proper APA format, but I believe that the material should be covered in the beginning of the class curriculum, not mid-semester. This might be conducive, as teaching the proper writing style later in the class detracts from the important material that the students are writing about. Secondly, I believe that a superfluous amount of content was presented in this class. I certainly enjoyed the myriad of topics, however, at times I felt somewhat rushed, as we had many other things to cover as well. There were times when I felt that a topic could have been discussed further, yet there was no time for this, as many other topics needed to be addressed. I am not sure how to go about changing this, but I would suggest that in the future, more time is spent on all of the topics, based on their salience in the field.

In its entirety, I would say that this class was amazing. The content covered over the course of the semester was both intriguing and felicitous. Much of the material and discussion allowed for introspective analysis of both the schools we work in and the Masters class itself. Additionally, the dynamic of the class certainly fostered a thriving learning environment. I also believe that the variety of projects touched upon many different intelligences, further allowing for a deeper comprehension of the material. It is important as educators to try to touch upon the various learning styles of students, and I feel that this class certainly offered ample opportunity for such. I fully understand why this was one of the first set of classes required to advance in this Masters program, and I certainly look forward to advancing my knowledge about education in the near future.

References

Graham, P. (2007). Schooling America: How the public schools meet the nation’s changing needs. New York: Oxford University Press.

McAdams, D. (1993). The stories we live by: Personal myths and the making of the self. New York: Guilford Press.

Priestley, M. (2003). Disability: A life course approach. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.

EDU 6235 - Characteristics of Diverse Learners Final Reflection

Brett Santo

Dr. Rob Schulze

Characteristics of Diverse Learners

December 12, 2014

Final Reflection: Characteristics of Diverse Learners

To be perfectly candid, I was unaware of the material that would be discussed in either of the two classes that I was registered for this semester, as I did not register myself. I was both grateful to have had the schedule made for me (as I assume it was made for many of the first-semester students), yet moderately nervous at the fact that I might be in a class that would be difficult or uninteresting. I found this class to be extremely useful and unbelievably exciting. 

One of the major aspects of the class that I truly enjoyed was the classroom dynamic itself. I enjoyed the variety of teaching methods that were presented, and the creativity that was allowed for the projects. I felt that the material was presented in a manner which further emphasized the importance of the content. Additionally, I found it intriguing to be in a class that was filled with teachers, paras, and aspiring behavior interventionists, as I hold none of those titles. I gained further insight into their experiences inside the classroom and learned about the different teaching methods most conducive for certain age cohorts of students. I also enjoyed the diversity of learners that was present in the class. There was variety with respect to age, educational background, field experience, and ability. Being around such a diverse group of individuals truly allowed for an educational experience that was perfectly apropos of the content that was being presented.  

There were many aspects of the class that I was happy to have engaged in. I really enjoyed the “speed dating” exercise regarding psychological theorists. I found this activity to be truly engaging, and I felt that it allowed for a better understanding of the material. Another aspect of the class that I was happy about was the fact that we were given a myriad of choices in how we could perform our developmental self study. I enjoy being in front of a class and feel confident in my ability to create presentations, and was pleased in my decision to present my personal findings. I was also happy about being one of the three “musketeers” in the Foundations program. Jeff, Josh, and I developed a stronger bond being the only ones in the class who were part of this program. This connection allowed for further introspective analysis and deeper conversations with the two of them, based on the fact that we became comfortable speaking with one another. Additionally, I enjoyed the fact that we had our own set of tasks and material to cover and then present to the class at times. 

Looking at the class in its entirety, there are very few things that I would change. Firstly, I wish there was some way to be able to cover both curriculums (the foundations material and the material for teachers). After hearing about the UDL, I wish that I could have been present for the presentation of the material. I find that many aspects of a UDL could be conducive for my work in the college environment. Also, if possible, I think that there should be more opportunities to complete assignments using a variety of mediums. As much as I enjoy writing, I find that presenting the material in diverse ways (discussions, presentations, fast-paced exercises), allows for a more abstract understanding of the material. (Not to mention that it completely fits the core of the curriculum presented - allowing for a diversity of expression). 

To be completely honest, I gained an immense amount of knowledge from this class. Having a background in psychology definitely proved to be helpful in terms of the developmental curriculum. Furthermore, analyzing my own life and another person’s story in terms of developmental trajectory proved to be instrumental in my vast understanding. I truly believe in the concept of Nature via Nurture (I say via rather than versus as I believe it to be ability through experience), and the experiential applications in this class were really wonderful. I enjoyed learning about Urie Bronfrenbrenner, Lev Vygotsky, Jean Piaget, and Erik Erikson both through psychological and educational lenses. The unit that I gained the most from was the curriculum about Disabilities. I absolutely love the Davis book that was assigned, (although somewhat challenging to read, the perspectives were phenomenal). Also, going into that unit, I had the preconceived notion that societal views were truly deleterious and disabling contentions, not the “disability” itself. I have always believed that certain “disabilities” could actually be beneficial to one’s success, as seen in my own development and growth, as well as in my Characteristics Study assignment. Upon completing the various projects, assignments, and readings, I was glad that my beliefs were reaffirmed. I will certainly walk away with a broader understanding of “disabilities” and inclusivity, as my paradigm of thought has certainly been enlightened.

If you couldn’t tell, overall I felt that the class was terrific. Rob, if you hadn't told us in the beginning that this was your first time teaching a graduate course, I never would have suspected anything. You conducted the class in a manner that was smooth, efficient, concise, and engaging. The readings and assignments were manageable, and the material was extremely intriguing. Thank you very much for such an awesome semester. Oh! By the way, I have to say, that I absolutely loved the impromptu poem assignment analogous to the wonderful book entitled “The Important Book”. Gaining an understanding of the core of many aspects in life is truly important, otherwise, you could be focusing on the wrong thing entirely… 

Final Reflection

The Aims of Diversity...

      According to definition, if one is aiming for Diversity, they are ultimately striving for variety and/or looking to explore a range of things. This simplistic interpretation of the word doesn't adequately express the vast number of topics that fall under the paradigm. Over the course of the quick summer semester, I have explored many topics related to diversity, and have increased my knowledge of what that word means, however continuous exploration is needed for such an extensive word...

      Originally, I had believed that I was pretty well versed in the field of diversity, having been a psychology major minoring in counseling in undergrad, however, I realized I was just at the beginning once I started reading for this class. My views on diversity have certainly been expanded, and I learned about a myriad of topics, but I will focus on some personal developments in four major areas: Social Class, Disability, Race, and Gender.

      With regard to issues of social class, having grown up in a middle-class family, I had believed that I had the average American experience, however I would soon find out that everyone experiences issues of diversity differently. After reading and analyzing several articles, I truly came to appreciate the fact that I was extremely privileged to have a mother and family that was entirely supportive of me and my education, thus allowing more opportunities in my future. In addition, I was unaware of the ways in which society was spreading the gap between the rich and the poor. Upon gaining knowledge of the Gini coefficient, inheritance contingencies, and the dangers of inequality, I understand the need for change in order to ensure a bright future for this country. The issue of social class is one that I had naively believed to have understood, but after attending classes and analyzing several articles, I certainly have learned quite a lot of information about such an important topic.

      In addition to social class, my views were expanded involving issues of disability as well. I was appalled to learn that as a society, we claim that individuals' disabilities are the problem, not the fact that we are inadequately accommodating them. Also, I found it disheartening that much of the social stigma and ostracizing comes from the ignorant belief that people need to all be the same and fit into a "normal" niche. I also found it intriguing to read about life experiences through many different individuals eyes. Doing so allowed me to gain a better (empathetic) understanding of what life could be like for those disabled folks. I truly increased my knowledge on disability studies, and will continue to do so in the future - partially because I've never agreed with the idea of a "normal" human being anyway...

      Whenever I thought of diversity studies, race was immediately the first to come to my mind - with gender at a close second - and I had believed that I knew a great deal of information about this topic as well, but I was mistaken. I was intrigued to learn about the "one-drop" rule, the protean"n-word", the implicit association test aimed at showing how our preconceived notions dictate our judgement, and ultimately the evolution of racism. It was also fascinating to delve into the inherent categorical nature of humans to see how it relates to feelings of race and identity. This class has truly allowed me to delve into a topic that I have only begun to understand.

      Finally, as in the aforementioned paragraph, I usually thought of gender studies when the word diversity came up in conversation. Being a male, I had somewhat of an idea what influence my gender had on my life, but I was unaware of the intricacies associated with establishing gender. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about how our society has developed the gender roles that we use today, and the ways in which we categorize people solely based on preconceived expectations of behavior. By creating norms, we are limiting people to certain categories, we should instead remove all boundaries, and allow everyone to express themselves as they please. Gender studies has always intrigued me, and I will certainly continue to look into this topic in the future.

      Overall, I am very pleased that I have learned so much about a myriad of topics thus far, allowing me to have such a diverse knowledge of the subject. I thoroughly enjoyed taking this class, and have truly developed a new outlook on life. Awareness is certainly the first step to solving any problem, and education about said problem is truly the best combatant, thus I am grateful to have had the opportunity to explore topics of such importance.

      Taking into account all that I have learned thus far, through the class exercises, discussions, and readings, I believe that I have somewhat of an idea of what the "aims of diversity" could be...

In my opinion, I believe that some of the most important aims of diversity are to influence people to:

• Challenge socially constructed societal norms, preconceived notions, and negative biases towards people
• Value differences as unique rather than as deviant aberrations 
• Evade any attempts at dehumanizing a person
• Afford everyone the right to be treated equitably

      When discussing social class previously in this essay, I remembered that a while back, I had written a poem regarding the unfairness of class structures, and how class is an inaccurate representation of a person anyway... The following is that poem...

Embellishments

By Brett Santo

Shoes, slacks, belt, shirt, tie, jacket

If you’re not wearing these, you’ll certainly make a racket

Trying to make it in this world, ha! You must wear the synthetics

Because professionalism is primarily judged on aesthetics

Yes, first it’s how you look, not how you feel

Not what you know, can this be real?

They say first impressions are truly essential

But I think your outfit shouldn’t be your first credential

No one ever asks if we can afford such things

And I didn’t know it was required to look like kings
Intelligence and diligence come from within

So I think its important for me to begin

Speaking about the true driving force in our hearts

Its not personal embellishments, cause that’s about cost

Instead its about our talents, dreams, and desires

Because when it comes down to it, I think we should want to hire

Someone who really wants to do this job, not for the prestige or label

Who holds innate characteristics that you will be able

To palpably notice once they walk in the room

They’ll make all the difference, so change your mind soon…

      I'd like to close with a quote that I had coined during my junior year of my undergraduate studies, as I feel that it ties in very nicely with all of the topics discussed over the course of the semester...

"Life is a series of realizations, once you realize something, 

you look back to see how you're going to successfully move forward"

      I feel that my quote ties into the fact that in today's society, if we realize that something needs to be changed and/or is truly deleterious to society as a whole, we should actively work towards making that change, as it will ultimately lead to success on a macrocosmic level...

      I feel as if we are making progress in the field of diversity studies, and this is apparent in various advertisements that I've seen recently...