To be or not to be..that is the question

When more information is gathered concerning a certain subject it's logical to make adaptions based on the new data. Although more and more research is conducted on student's learning styles, there are still a number of cautions which teachers should take into account. For starters, let's take into account that learning styles may only be learning preferences which is a more fitting label. Preferences are the choice an individual makes based on one factor or another. Research fails to prove that individuals actually learn according to the learning styles because the experiments conducted only prove that individuals prefer to learn a certain way. When researchers attempt to test learning "styles" it is difficult because the results have little validity.One reason why is due to the complexities of the brain. there are a number of variables which impact how the brain processes information. According to the findings of Richard Mayer "materials matter too" which is in addition to the way one learns. So the recommendation, he makes to teacher is "Before you try to accommodate all your students' learning styles, remember that students, especially young ones, may not be the best judge of how they should learn." This statement assists brings us to the second point to solidify the bridge from learning "styles" to learning preference. Researchers have yet to "find assessing children's learning styles and matching to the instructional methods has any effect on their learning." So in other words learning styles research has failed to provide data which proves a child who is "kinesthetic" and is taught that way, actually learns because that accommodation. 'In conclusion, teachers should not teach to learning styles because there is still research to be done about learning styles. however, teachers should defianlty teach to learning preferences. No matter what age-group, students know what is engaging, pleasurable conditions for learning. So if the teacher is in-tuned with the students and sees the need for certain ways of teaching to keep student's attention, then that is the means the teacher should take to teach.

The M.O.T.T.O: The Forbidden Fruit

        Rapper Drizzy Drake is known for a number of hits but one hit that is not only a song but "THE MOTTO" is Y.O.L.O which means "You only live once." Another pop star Miley Cyrus who first hit mainstream as the Diney Channel star "Hannah Montana" also lives by THE MOTTO by singing "it's our party, we can do what we want" in her hit "We Won't Stop." Now more than ever media is playing a negative drastic role on the lives of our children. Media presents the illusion that bad decisions are 'okay' to make because they can always be justified. Choices presented in media are like forbidden fruits, even more desirable.

            The Christian faith is based on mankind living in a post Genesis 3 world. In Genesis 3, the first sin is committed, Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit. After God told them not to, they could not resist a forbidden fruit that someone  made look even more desirable by what they said. Due to these actions, mankind needed a savior, which came in the form of Jesus Christ. In today's world,our teens are eating the forbidden fruits (making bad decisions) that media makes so appealing and are in need of being saved, not only by parents but by teachers.

            As a teacher, it is possible to make just as much impact on the students lives as the media if not a greater impact because teachers have the opportunity to use education to change the course of a student's life.  As mentioned before, there's a teacher who has her students replace Drake's motto with "There is no if, ands or buts about respect." The school district, I not only observe as a part of fieldwork but actually work for has operates under  the motto:  Every child. Every day. Every classroom. This is the new superintendents way of expressing the importance of attendance because without attendance the students can not learn. This school district understands the power of words, which David in the Bible put like this "The tongue has power over life and death." Students especially teenagers need to understand the influence of music, the spoken language of the heart's emotions (original definition by yours' truly, who also created this presentation.)

         A week-long assignment the teacher had the students to do focused on music for only 5-10 minutes of the class.

• Day one: students had to write the title of their favorite song and the lyrics in their journal. Then take 3 minutes and reflect on the message of the song. For homework, students had to print out the lyrics and if there was a music video, students were to watch it and follow along with the lyrics.
• Day two: In their journal, she asked them to tell if the music video lyrics were the same as the original lyrics. If not, then, they had to write why they think that is. Most of the students wrote no it was not the same because of censor issues. For homework, they reflected on whether or not the message of the song and video were identical and had to finish these sentences while they listened to it:
• When I listen to this song I feel: _______________________________________________
• When I listen to this song I want to: ____________________________________________
• The person I think of when I listen to this song is:__________________________________
• ___________________, I would listen to this song with the most trusted, respected and honored person in my life who is __________________________________________.
• Day three: Students went to the computer lab for a 10 minute research on the artist of the song to answer: why did this person write or perform this song?
• Day four:  Is this something I should be listening to? Is this song sending a message that I stand for?
• Day five: one minute-two minute presentations which is just sharing their answers to a five question questionnaire

    

               It's important to see media as a means to connect to students and impart to students instead of seeing it as the snake in today's society earnestly trying to tempt our children to eat the forbidden fruit which is making bad decisions like living YOLO because you only live once "turn up!"

Your Existing Situation

Feels there are barriers between herself and the essential things she desires.

Your Stress Sources

"His stubbornness and will-power has become weakened due to current difficulties. Feels overworked and emotionally drain; as if all her work is for nothing and she is getting nowhere. The situation is very real to her and she wants to escape, but has no idea how to do so or how to even approach the situation rationally."

Your Restrained Characteristics

"Self-centered, tends to take this personally and is easily offended."
Emotionally distant even from those closest to her.
"Willing to become emotionally involved because she feels isolated and alone. she tries to avoid conflict and disagreements, but her arrogance leads her to quickly take offense."
He is being forced to be happiness and pleasure on hold for new due to her limiting circumstances.

Your Desired Objective

"Has a strong desire to contribute and influence others, but it can make her restless. she is driven by her desires and hopes. Enjoys a wide range of activities, but she may spread herself to thin taking on too much."

Your Actual Problem

"Feeling tension and stress brought on by situations which are out of her control, leaves her feeling helpless, anxious, and in adequate. In order to build her self-esteem back up, she looks to others for recognition, respect, and encouragement. This can be a problem since she tends to blame others for her shortcomings. Searching for solutions that are geared toward her needs and self-consciousness."
- See more at: http://www.colorquiz.com/results.php?code=f,4,3,7,6,0,5,1,2,4,4,3,7,1,0,5,6,2,4&p=full#sthash.sDpcykJO.dpuf

Your Existing Situation

Feels there are barriers between herself and the essential things she desires.

Your Stress Sources

"His stubbornness and will-power has become weakened due to current difficulties. Feels overworked and emotionally drain; as if all her work is for nothing and she is getting nowhere. The situation is very real to her and she wants to escape, but has no idea how to do so or how to even approach the situation rationally."

Your Restrained Characteristics

"Self-centered, tends to take this personally and is easily offended."
Emotionally distant even from those closest to her.
"Willing to become emotionally involved because she feels isolated and alone. she tries to avoid conflict and disagreements, but her arrogance leads her to quickly take offense."
He is being forced to be happiness and pleasure on hold for new due to her limiting circumstances.

Your Desired Objective

"Has a strong desire to contribute and influence others, but it can make her restless. she is driven by her desires and hopes. Enjoys a wide range of activities, but she may spread herself to thin taking on too much."

Your Actual Problem

"Feeling tension and stress brought on by situations which are out of her control, leaves her feeling helpless, anxious, and in adequate. In order to build her self-esteem back up, she looks to others for recognition, respect, and encouragement. This can be a problem since she tends to blame others for her shortcomings. Searching for solutions that are geared toward her needs and self-consciousness."
- See more at: http://www.colorquiz.com/results.php?code=f,4,3,7,6,0,5,1,2,4,4,3,7,1,0,5,6,2,4&p=full#sthash.sDpcykJO.dpuf

Who Am I?

             If you don't know by now: I love music. Music is a free expression with priceless impressions. One of my favorite songs is titled: Who Am I? by Da Truth feat. Tye Tribette. I like this song because he compares himself to characters from the Bible. As he goes down the list, he says who he does not want to be.  At this point in my life, it is crucial for me to evaluate and ask myself, who am I? To assist me answer this question, I have taken at least three personality test.

       




The first test measures my creativity and which hemisphere is at work most of the time. It is called Right Brain vs. Left Brain Creativity. Surprisingly, I think with the left side of my brain instead of my right. The test indicated I am a critical thinker. For the purposes of my blog, I have screenshot my test. So everyone can see my results.

The next test was extremely simple. It is the Personality Quiz.I just had to pick a picture out of about eight. To the right is the picture I chose, mostly because it is colorful and I love bright colors. I am not sure if I agree with the results of the test. For one: I don't see myself as "spontaneous." I see my life governed by a plan.  Then the test says I "thrive on change" which is absolutely not true. So I had to investigate what is the problem with personality test and what I came across an article by Dr. Wendell Williams titled "The Problem with Personality Tests".
           The gist of the article is personality test do not indicate job skill level despite how often a person is asked to take personality test for a job. The very first issue addressed is the accuracy of the test and how the test do not measure KSAs. KSAs are skills for employment such as teamwork, planning, analyzing, etc. Ironically the Right Brain vs. Left Brain Creativity test concludes by giving me a list of career options that best suite someone with my creativity patterns. I don't believe any of the career choices are right for me. So I totally agree with Dr. Williams. Another, obvious understanding of the test is the results change. Reason being is the different feelings yield different results.
                   In the middle of Fall 2013, I took the Color Test which is about October. Then I took the same test again in December, the end of the semester. SAme test, same person but feeling differently about life and its situations. So this is a snapshot of my first results:  

 

and this is the results of my second test

There are a number of differences but all in all, there accurate in analyzing each category according to the time period in my life. 

              From taking these personality test, I must admit I was shocked at the results. For the creativity test, I was shocked at how I use more of my left side of my brain to think and the list of careers that a person with my thinking pattern have. With the Personality Quiz, I can not fathom how the test saw me as a person who likes change, when change gives me the feeling of falling into a bottomless pit.  However, with the Color test, I was surprised at how true the test was, it hit the nail right on the head, every time. Nevertheless, I still agree with the Dr. Williams' article about problem with personality test. He states the problem is these personality test employers are making applicants take do not measure that persons job skills.  Yet, I do believe these personality test have given me a glimpse, a sufficient measurement of how I process what is going on around me and in my life but most importantly the test give me a sense of WHO AM I?