Brain Learning Log

What?
This week's class was especially exciting. It was really interesting to hear and learn about the different parts of the brain and the function of each part. I especially found it fascinating how the brain grows as we grow. I feel like I am still 20, but I know that I have matured so much. I don't feel like there are 9 years between me and my younger sister because I feel that I was just there last year. However, I know that my thought process is much different now than it was then. It makes perfect sense that teens don't have quite as much judgment as adults do because that part of their brain just has not matured yet. It's interesting to know how the brain forms connections and just how active they are, especially in junior high. I knew that brain activity was extremely active for babies to young children, but it surprised me how active teenage brains are. The more I think about it though, the more it makes sense.

So What?
This is very important for me to know as a teacher because I need to understand how they are thinking and why they believe that their reasoning makes sense. It has already helped me with my 17-year-old sister. When she figured that she had every right to go to a party last Monday when she had been out with friends and not done any chores, I didn't lecture her about how much my mother does for her and needs help every once in a while. Understanding how the brain develops and works will help me to be a great teacher because I will stop before I make a quick remark or judgment based on what a student has done (or not done) or said in class.

Now What?
In order to better help our students, we need to be reminded and keep in mind how their minds are working and the fact that their bodies are changing and they don't exactly know how to deal with it. Not to say we need to be so sympathetic about every situation, but we need to think about what we are about to do or say in order to create the most enriching educational experience possible.

Motivation

1. I am here because I have been inspired by several teachers throughout my education, particularly my high school choir teacher. I am also a mother and come from a line of educators (mother and grandmother). I want to give my own children the best education possible and I believe that the best way to do that is to be involved. I don't need to teach them every subject. However, if I am where they are and know what kind of standard the teachers must uphold, I will be able to help them get the best education possible.

2. My motivation comes from my self-determination, my family and my religion. I want to do well because it makes me feel good. I want to set a good example for my family and inspire them be what they want to be. My religion helps me keep things in perspective and to be grateful for little things and little successes.

3. I succeed because again, it makes me feel good when I accomplish goals or am successful. I feel especially good when my successes include others succeeding. I am not terribly competitive in sports or board games because most of the time there can only be one winner. I like it better when everybody can have fun and win at the same time.

4. I fail because I take my eye off the goal. Henry Ford once said, "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the Goal."(www.goal-setting-guide.com) Whenever I forget the big reason I am going to school or doing anything in life, it's because I take my eyes off the goal. As long as I remember and keep my eyes higher than my obstacles, I can do anything.

5. I think I have some great motivations to be in this class, but my mindset is in need of great reconstruction. I know that when I get in front of a class, I feel great. I am excited and energetic, but getting there is the hard part. As I stated earlier, I am a mother. My greatest goal in life was to be a wife and mother. I love my husband and son so dearly. They are the greatest things in my life. I have such a hard time leaving my son with his aunts to come to school because he and my husband are the most important things in my life. School and work come down the line. I need to change my mindset from feeling like I am failing them by leaving them to fend for themselves half the day and realize that I am helping them find greater successes in life because I am becoming educated and I am achieving goals and providing them with greater opportunities. This is but a small moment in our lives and we will be better for it.

Hidden Assignment-Course Contract

1- The goals I have for this course are to understand the different learning styles and understand how to teach each of these styles. Then to be more of a self-regulated learner. I am one of those who has taught myself to find the quickest and easiest, but not necessarily most beneficial way to obtain information. I have found the more I have to work to get the necessary information, the more I retain and am able to refer back to later.
The third goal is to learn how to receive and give constructive criticism and to find ways that I can improve and how to help others improve as well.

2-My preparation plan is to do one assignment each day, or part of one if the assignment is longer. I will read each day and review the study guide each week to be sure to retain the education I am receiving.

3- I have to write things down to remember them. When I am taking tests, I often visualize my study material and the placement on the page to help me recall what I need to know. So, I use a 4-color pen and color code each part of my notes. Then, I will review daily what I have learned during the last class. I will also review previous study guides once a week to keep it fresh in mind. And to make it really stick, I will find a way to apply it to myself to make it more valuable for me.

4- If there is a topic I don't understand, I will look first in the text and materials I have in front of me as well as the internet. I will ask peers if they have any insights that would help me to understand better. Then if I am still unclear about it, I will speak to Dr. Cox to get her point of view. I have also found it helpful when I have a grasp on a subject to tell someone or teach it to someone else so that I remember it longer. This process will help me strengthen several threads of the web of my memory rather than one or two.

5- I will reach my goals in this course by remembering what my motivation is and by sticking to my plan outlined above.