ADHD

There is a common misconception that people with ADHD become too distracted to get anything done. But seeing how a percentage of people with ADHD have established themselves as one of the most influential people, the latter statement couldn’t be any further from the truth. It’s inspiring that some of the greatest philosophers, athletes, entrepreneurs and performers of all time suffer from this not-so-rare condition. Example of these famous personalities are Walt Disney, Justin Timberlake, Michael Phelps, Michael Jordan, John F. Kennedy, and Albert Einstein. Goes to show how ADHD can be used as an advantage, such as dedicating one’s self harder than anyone else could even imagine in something they are passionate of.

This method of using ADHD as an advantage is very fitting in the classroom setting. Instead of scolding students because of their inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, educators and parents can help them into channeling it to something more positive and productive. Encourage them to try sports, dancing, acting, music, arts and crafts, camping, and outdoor activities. It can develop as their outlet as well as their talent. Rather than treating ADHD as a weakness, it can be their strength that can help stand-out and be successful.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition in characterized by seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, convulsive movements. Putting myself in the shoes of a person with epilepsy, I can’t help but wonder about the emotional impact in their life. I think one of the worst things is never knowing when or where it will happen. It can happen while walking along the street, sitting in class, eating with friends, or even in a person’s sleep. The worry of when the next one will be and knowing that you can’t control it without the use of medical drugs. And knowing that these seizures can cause head injury, stroke, heart attacks, and etc.

I have never been in a situation where someone is in a seizure. But I’m glad that now I know the first aid steps when someone has an epileptic seizure. Helps me be prepared for such situations, especially knowing that I will meet diverse people in the future. I think everyone should know about epileptic seizure first aid, because we’ll never know if a time might come that we encounter a stranger who suddenly has an epileptic attack. This skill could save a life and make a big difference.

Learning and Thinking Styles

People learn in different ways. It’s one of the things that makes us unique and different from each other. The learner’s culture, family background, and socioeconomic level affect his or her learning. Proving that no two persons are ever the same. A small classroom can contain a wide variety of learners. Although the diversity in the classroom is a common knowledge, schools still function as if all the students were the same.

Students use the same textbooks and the same material for learning, working at the same pace and same quantity of material. They study the same content and work through the same curriculum. And schools use the same tests for all to measure the success of the learning. These leave educators the big responsibility of attending to diversity while maintaining the school’s uniformity. Educators and students suffer from the imbalance between uniformity and diversity, calling for versatile teaching techniques that can accommodate all the learning styles. To find a way where all students have an opportunity for success.

Traditional Assessment

Standardized tests are not enough basis in measuring a person’s intelligence. It doesn’t promote creativity, but is keener on rote memorization. But it is one of the oldest, easiest and most practical ways of measuring what the students have learned. And in a way it is also used to evaluate teachers and the educational system. Considering all the factors given, I don’t think the traditional standardized tests would be leaving any time soon.

One thing that I’ve found to be beneficial in using standardized tests is that teachers and students know what expect in measuring what has been learned. There is a definite number of points for each item, and teachers wouldn’t be biased on grading them. But these realizations don’t mean that standardized tests are always the best approach. I think that traditional assessment should go hand in hand with authentic assessment. It allows fair application of what has been taught and grading as well.

Authentic Assessment

Authentic assessments are far superior to tests for measuring what students actually know. It allows students to show their creativity, talents, and depth of learning all at the same time. In a way, students are tested without realizing they are tested. It is an accurate evidence of ever student’s skills and knowledge, where they can apply what they have learned in real life situations. Students get to enjoy and work hard at activities that are interesting, engaging, and show student’s genuine learning.

Before the report, I have never thought of projects and portfolios to be a means of authentic assessment. Realizing that they are, I began to value it more. Instead of measuring students’ knowledge through multiple choice, identification, and fill-in-the-blanks, authentic assessments could demonstrate student’s learning in a deeper way. It encourages students to use what they have learned in some meaningful way. The goal of teaching after all is to equip students with knowledge and skills that they would be able to use in the real world.

Actions teachers can take

Equity in the classroom greatly depends on the teacher. As an authority figure and role model, they are the ones who sets the tone in the classroom. Seeing the way they interact to each student and the values they teach, students follow suit. When students are “in the zone” where they channel their energy and attentions to the discussions, tasks, or lessons at hand so much, their differences cease to exist. The teacher has the authority to choose activities that would engage students to foster a stimulating learning environment. And spread positive interactions that promotes equity in the classroom.

Using the child-centered approach means that education must be all about the students. It makes every child feel important, regardless of their differences. Knowing that they are important gives them the confidence to strive and excel. It also lets them know that their interests and opinions are respected. In creating equitable opportunities, the students are encourage to interact with equity.

Transfer of learning

Learning transfer refers to acquiring knowledge or skills in one context that enhances a person’s performance in another context, also known as positive transfer. As educators, we should ensure that the training we design and develop is transferable to real life situations. In order for this to happen, students must be engaged in a learning experience where he or she can modify his or her existing knowledge with the newly attained knowledge. For me, this one of the main goals of teaching. To teach students lessons that they would forever carry with them.

There is a saying that, “A teacher lives forever through his or her students”. I’ve always taught that the teacher’s legacy lives on through the students, which will subsequently be passed on to their students, children, and the next generation. If the students can apply learning transfer in what they know, they wouldn’t have a hard time in understanding it because they see the relevance and its importance. And with constant practice of what they have learned, knowledge would continue to be enhanced.

Meaningful learning

According to Ausubel, Meaningful learning is opposed to rote learning and refers to a learning way where the new knowledge to acquire is related with previous knowledge. It happens when a student fully understood what has been learned and can relate to other stored facts. This approach reminds me of the lesson on synectics, where full understanding is manifested when two unlikely terms can be related with others to create a web of related terms. The teacher can promote meaningful learning through experiential learning. Let the students manipulate their knowledge to retain it, and for future use.

In meaningful learning, what has been learned cannot be un-learned. I think a strong foundation on basic knowledge can aid students in making meaningful learning. It’s like building a stick tower, the bottom sticks should be strong, durable, and organized to keep the stick tower upright. A strong foundation creates resilient students. Which is why it is important to ensure that a lesson is fully understood before moving to a more complex lesson.