1. What difference did you notice in your choice of topics in the first part of the class versus the topics found in the texts My California and Train Go Sorry?
The major difference from the beginning of the course to the end of the course was the information and how it was covered. The class started out with setting up a blog page and then to very basic research on various topics and subjects. The first assignment was to do basic research on a city of choice, then a museum and then on any topic. We did research on these different topics and learned about them from our individual research and also from our classmates research. We learned from each other through this dialogue and scaffolding that took place during the course.
From those beginning single basic topics we then compared two cities, two beaches and then two inland areas. We then reflected and wrote on classmates writings on the same or similar topics. We also looked at the different topics that were written. When we looked at our classmates writings we found out that we saw things differently or focused on different things about the same subjects. Sometimes we even focused on the same things or agreed with each other.
Next we read about the different areas of California. The text, My California focused on the many differences of California. Group # 1 read and commented about the Central Valley, Transients in Beverly Hills, the Owens River and finally the American River in Sacramento. What I found interesting was that the comments on the stories from my classmates were all different. There were similarities with the stories but they were also so different that some could have been about completely different stories. The California information was fun because it is familiar and California is such a diverse state and home to many different groups of people. The text made us think about our beliefs, ideas and assumptions and those of our classmates.
Finally we read the book, Train Go Sorry. This gave insight to a deaf school and the lives of students and family in the school. It followed several student’s lives and what they went through. It also gave a look at the deaf philosophy and how it has changed over the years. The book focused on the debate of main streaming of the deaf and the controversy of Cochlear implants. The title means “missing the boat” which the author uses for the many missed connections between the deaf and hearing.
The last two topics or readings were more directed in specific areas. My California went into detail about different regions of California and directed your focus on the author’s writings. When we did research we focused on what got our attention. It also helped us look at things from others viewpoints. In Train go Sorry, again we were given a focus because the author was controlling the area of interest or the story. We looked inside the deaf world from the directed view of the author and the book's characters.
2. What difference did you notice when you read your classmates work regarding the same topics versus your own opinions? Did their works make you think of something different?
I found it interesting that individuals could write about the same topic and it seemed like they were writing about completely different subjects. Classmates would focus on one area and others on a completely different area. When I read a classmates post it made me thing of what they wrote and why I did not think about that when I read it. I would wonder why I did not focus on that area of the story? I also found that I always learned something new from reading my classmates information.
3. How would Freire and the idea of dialogue and scaffolding play into your answer?
Freire’s idea of dialogue and scaffolding dealt with the learning process. We did this when we read, learned and responded from each others writings.
(Freire's 3 goals on education and dialogue were stressed in the following. To generate new knowledge about global studies. To spur greater civic engagement and social responsibility. To cultivate intercultural competencies.) We also did most of this through the course of the class.
Freire stressed that dialogue should be more than just knowledge it should be about making a difference in the world and it involves respect. He also stressed praxis, action that is informed and linked to certain values. Scaffolding is the idea of building on each others comments. Another idea he was best know for was his attack on the "banking" concept of education, which states that students are basically "filled or deposited" with information by their teachers. Freire felt that students should be actively learning instead of being filled with ideas. We practiced this during this course. We we actively learning about the topics assigned.
4. What was your overall experience with these topics?
My overall experience with this class and topics was very positive. I enjoyed the basic research, (one classmate called them internet field trips) and I also did not mind the readings. As I have mentioned, I was amazed how different the same information could be presented. It reminds me of when you hear of several people describing the same person or situation. Each person will focus on completely different facts and the same situation will be like a completely different one. We learned from each other by reading and commenting on each other’s writings.
I was impressed with the dialogue, information and writing of the various topics of all my classmates.
Friday, May 8, 2009
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