Additional Assignment #5

Just Teaching Them to Solve for "X"

In this post, I believe Mr. Spencer is trying to convey that we should not be afraid of explaining the hard subjects, programs, and anything else that we would deem "too dangerous" for them to learn or even try to comprehend. Students are smart and they need to, no have to know "why?" to even try and grasp a concept. What good are we to them if we only give them a formula and some paper and do not explain the "why?" They might as well higher a computer to put it up in the screen because we are pretty much doing the same thing on a white board. There is no critical thinking with students now a days and we need to educate them and not memorize them out of their curiosity.

Sketchy Portraits: 8th Grade Identity and Pencils

In this post, I believe the main point being made is that life is ever changing and the world outside is a scary place and as we grow and mature decisions in our life become more and more "permanent" to the point we are scared to make decisions at all. Although we don't want to we all have to grow up at some point, wether it is when teachers and society tell us to is a completely different thing. Enjoy the "pencil" while you can but do not be afraid of your "pen".

He Just Likes the Class for the Pencils

I believe the message here is that even though technology and tools are fun, great for teaching, and really engaging for students for a while. It is the relationship we have with our students that keep them interested and engaged all the time. If a student trust and believe that we have something important to say and we demand their best, then they will pay attention and give their best because they know it is expected. Students have to be engaged all the time or they will wonder off into dream land. We as teachers need to spend the whole class time teaching and not just giving them things to memorize or ditto sheets. They are entrusted to us to learn and not just to learn from the fancy "pencils"

The Medium Shapes the Learning

In this post I was blown away by the transformation to the final thought. I had never thought of something being misinterpreted if I had not intended for it to be. I believe that Mr. Spencer wants us to realize that every tool we use has to be open to interpretation because you never know where a lesson may go if you give it boundaries and who knows it could go somewhere unintended if you don't let the students try and surprise you.