Stress at the end of the year

November 4th, 08

This class, Nicole talked about the stress that we as teachers might cope with at the end of the year. She gave us some tips to help us control our emotions and maintain calm.

One of the most remarkable points she talked about was about not carrying the problems of the school back home. We as teachers have right to have a regular life with a regular family. If we take our problems back home it won't be good for our families and our mental health.

The end of the year is always a period of stress. Teachers, students and other professionals face this kind of situation and we should remain calmed and try to find a way to work things out. Not everything is lost. Just breathe and remain calmed. Don't panic!

I think Nicole made a very good presentation, and even though she was a little bit nervous she did a good job. She explained well and moved around. We could see that this presentation was well-prepared.

Estatuto docente: Una tragedia peor que el transantiago

October 14th, 08

The second topic which we had to make a research for was the "Estatuto Docente". Mario Waissbluth, a teacher from Universidad de Chile, wrote an article for the magazine "Qué Pasa" on August 23rd, 08. He talked about the dramatic situation that our education is going through. He revealed some ideas that were floating in the air but nobody really saw.

He made a lot of studies, researches and statistics. He interviewed education experterts, directors of schools, teachers and students with the idea of getting a picture of the quality of education in Chile. At the end the conclusions were not good at all. He made some comparisons with private universities and public universities.

At the end the situation he described showed that the students of pedagogy get into the university with a lack of knowledge in certain aspects -that can be proved with the scores that a student gets in PSU- and come out of the university after some years with the same limitations.

I think that this problem will be restricting us as teachers for a long time. The quality of education in this country is not so good and we are moving too slow if we want to change this situation. I think that solving this problem will required not some, but many years.

Here's the complete article

Educación 2020

October 14th, 08

Mr Litman told us to make a research about Educación2020.

Educación2020 is a project that wants to improve the education in Chile. 20% of the poorest students in Chile will have the same level of education than the 20% of the richest students by the year 2020. This is their proposal.

They are trying to make a change in education, where students and teachers get more importance and more equivalence. A teacher that teaches in poor schools should have the same level than a teacher that teaches in rich schools. Students from public, private and semi-private schools should have the same level of education.

This might seem only dreams, but this is their dream and they are trying to make it true.

To read more about it follow this link:

Educación2020
(Spanish)

C-ya!

Smartboards

October 7th, 08

After Fernanda's presentation Daniela talked about Smartboards and their advantages for learning. She assisted to a seminary in Universidad Finis Terrae where she could get some information and realize of the great benefit that this smartboards mean.

Only a few schools in Chile are using this kind of method to teach. It is very expensive, but very helpful. Some schools use this smartboards not only to present topics and ideas, but for playing as well. Students can learn by practicing and playing at the same time. Specially in english, where it gets easier and quicker to learn this language.

The use of new technologies are doing everything so much easier than before. With this kind of tools teaching can be so much fun for kids and we as teachers can save some time and have fun at the same time.

Gender Bias

October 7th, 08

This day Fernanda presented the topic of "Gender Bias". Even though i wasn't there, I can say some things about it.

“Gender bias is difficult to detect because it affects girls and boys in different ways. In school, it is the boys who may be expected to “act out” and rebel at school work, while the girls are expected to be docile, conforming and willing to work hard" (Sadker 1994)

There has been a lot of misunderstanding with the idea of gender. In English we commonly refer to some words using "man" or "men" to talk about men and women. For example the word "cameraman" works for both man and woman but it has a connotative resemblance to man only.

I think this is a very interesting topic we just leave aside and don't pay attention to it until we see it. Somethings aren't discovered until you find them. It wouldn't be correct to criticize her movement or how she did because I wasn't there to give my opinion. But i could say that Fernanda is a great student and I'm sure she did it well.

Suicide and depression in teenagers

September 30th, 08

After my presentation, my friend Eduardo presented his topic: "Suicide and depression in teenagers". He talked about some cases in Chile where some girls have committed suicide because of bullying and other stuff. He presented some statistics with suicides and presented the common causes of depression in teenagers. We as teachers need to be aware of this topic because we don't know what's going on inside the head of our students. We need to pay attention to our students if we ever get to see some symptoms. A teacher needs to be positive and empathic with his/her students in order to help them overcome these kind of problems that causes depression and suicide.

I think Eduardo did a very good job; very well explained, organized and good distribution of timing.

My presentation about How to talk about drugs with your students

September 30th, 08

I was the first one in the class to start with the new single presentations with a free topic. My decision was "How to talk about drugs with your students". I talk about some tips that teachers may use at the moment of talking about drugs in the class. Whether you have drug problems with your students or not, it is very suitable to know how to talk with them about this topic in a good way, never too rush, never too aggressive. There are several tips but one of the most important is to talk with confidence and empathy. Students need to feel that you are near, show them your support and not your negativity to the topic. Be polite and talk about it very calmed and relaxed. If you know that some of your students consume drugs, don't look at them at all times, treat them like every other student. Being impartial is very important at the moment of talking with them. Leave your prejudices behind.

I was very confidence when i stood in the front of the class. Each day i feel more comfortable with myself. Each day gets easier to talk in front of a class. I think i caught my classmates' attention as i wanted to.

Don't be too rush with your students!

A class about future plans and group conversation

September 29th, 08
(Recuperative class)

We talked about our future plans for next year. All of us (only a few of us went to class) shared our expectations and plans for next year, where we are going to be a professional with a degree. (Most of us) We talked about our dreams and real expectations of work, personal interests and projects.

We also talked about the awareness of a group conversation. Many times we don't realize that a group might help our development in society. It works as a social contact, a growing experience where you can share experiences and criticize and debate about different topics. We as teachers need to develop these kind of contact with our students. They can share information but some of them are not very good at expressing ideas. A group conversation also increases our way of thinking and speaking. We can develop ideas easier than in others ways.

An important page to visit once in a while:

www.education2020.com

C-ya.