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…
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