Xanthi Papadopoulou
Journal 2
Language Development Course
07/31/2010
After having talked about the difference between mental skills and knowledge in class most of us held the view that teaching mental skills is more important than teaching knowledge. Thus I found it interesting that the text demonstrated a different view.It is striking to hear that teaching knowledge according to the “core knowledge” curriculum helped students improve to such an extent.
Having read the text I think that by having specific contents which need to be taught to the students it helps to increase the comparability between schools and thus raise students’ achievements to a higher level.
Although the effects of this method are striking it can be regarded from a critical perspective as well.
I think by specifying in such a precise way what contents need to be learned in class it is difficult for the teacher to work autonomously.
He does not have the choice to adapt the material to the class but has to teach what is already set.
I believe teaching should consist of a balanced amount of teaching skills and knowledge. The teaching of knowledge should be pre-determined to an appropriate extent.
Xanthi,
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting that "teaching knowledge according to the “core knowledge” curriculum helped students improve to such an extent". It makes me wonder how they measured this "improvement". I also agree that "it is difficult for the teacher to work autonomously" when s/he must follow a prescribed curriculum. Like you, I value the ability to adapt classroom content to the individual needs of students.
Take another look at these sentences: "After having talked about the difference between mental skills and knowledge in class most of us held the view that teaching mental skills is more important than teaching knowledge."; "Having read the text I think that by having specific contents which need to be taught to the students it helps to increase the comparability between schools and thus raise students’ achievements to a higher level."; and "Although the effects of this method are striking it can be regarded from a critical perspective as well." Do you see the common punctuation issue that they share?
Xanthi,
ReplyDeleteYou raise a really good point about the effects of teaching knowledge: that it limits the ability of the teacher to steer the boat as s/he needs to to meet the needs of the class of students before her/him. Good point.
Gina
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