Environment

The habit that I have tried to change to better the environment is to use less energy. I have tried to be more aware of all the energy that I use and tried to think of ways to cut back. I make sure that I turn off the lights every time I leave the room. I also close my computer when I am not using it and also turn off the TV. I know that in general Americans use way too much energy and I know that it is important to try to improve this problem. Now that I am more aware of how much energy I use, I will try harder to cut back on resources that I do not need to use.

Kind people

My grandma has always been a very kind person. I wrote a letter to her expressing how much I apprectiate her in my life. She has always been the kind of person who puts others before her. I have always appreciated the support she gives me and my family. I have also noticed how my grandma is just generally kind to everyone around her. She does favors for others and helps people that she does not know.

Internet and Technology

I feel that there can be many benefits of using the internet and technology in the classroom. I feel that in this century, technology places such an important role in society that it is essential for students to learn how to operate different things. I believe that if technology is used correctly it can better a classroom and make it more time efficient. However, sometimes in classrooms there seems to be such an emphasis on technology that it takes a way from basic skills that students need to learn. One of these aspects is handwriting skills. If students are able to type everything that they do in class, they lose their ability to have legible printing. Also I feel that computer hinder students ability to spell. With spell check on every computer, students are never forced to learn how to spell various words. With regard to the internet, I feel that it can both strengthen a classroom as well as hinder it. Students are given the opportunity to research and look up practially anything they imagine on the internet, however this can effect their learning. If having the opportunity to look anything up on the internet, some students choose to find the answers to problem or book reports without actually doing the work. While I think the internet and technology are great tools in the classroom, I believe that they need to be monitored and not be the focus of teaching and learning.

Controversial Education

One topic of education that is very controversial are standardized tests. This debate has gone on forever on whether or not the tests actually measure the education of the students. I believe that no tests can accurately measure the intelligence of a student. Also, one must look at the schools individually and access how each of them are doing. It is impossible to have a standarized test state wide or nation wide that meets the needs of every school. I also feel that schools that score higher on the test are, for the most part, teaching their students according to the test. The students spend their day learning the skills to be good test takers instead of learning to be good students. Teachers end up only teaching the material that will show up on the test, instead of making the students think bigger and outside the box. Standarized testing might seem like a good idea, in that its goal is to see how schools measure up, however it is impossible to create such a test. This issue on education will continue to be controversial in the future, however I feel that the only way for teachers to create better and smarter students is by teaching beyond what would be on the test and focusing on the needs of the students.

Why do we teach?

Many people sometimes wonder why people choose to be teachers. I want to be a teacher in order to give back what was given to me. Education is the greatest gift their is in the world and it is important to share that gift with others. I believe that there is great joy in helping others learn and succeed in life. There are many differences when comparing school work with student learning. School work is not the only way for students to learn. It is important in the classroom to incorporate all different kinds of learning, not just by having students do work. Learning not only takes place in the classroom but it takes place outside the classroom. It is important to engage student in different environments and on different levels of learning. There are many aspects that make for a good teacher. One component is classroom management. It is important for a teacher to have control over their classroom but also have a healthy learning environment. Teachers need to be passionate about what they teach and enjoy coming to work everyday. It is also important for the teacher to respect the students, and in return, the students will respect the teacher back. A good teacher must also care about the material that they are teaching. They need to enjoy their subject and enjoy teaching it to others. Without having these qualities, the classroom environment would be very dark. Students would not enjoy coming to class each day and learning new material. Students would be more likely to act up in class and make for a chaotic and destructive learning atmosphere.