Teachers taking education too far

Bellow you will find a short video I cam across on MSNBC. It's about how a history teacher was trying to role play and show the effects of slavery to her students. However, this teacher took the lesson too far. One student voulenteered while another did not and was forced into this role playing activity. The two students were of African American decent. The two students hands and feet were tapped together and they were told to crawl under the desk. The girl was so embarrased and unconfortable she refused to go to school for a day or two. As a future teacher I think this is absurd. The teacher who forced these students to participate has been a teacher for 4 years and should know better. First of all, you should never ever restrain a studnet unless its for safety purposes. Secondly, forcing a student into a role playin activity, unless the whole class is involved is ridiculous. Some students have a hard enough time with there peers and are embarassed and should not have to feel unconfortable in the classroom with the teacher. The teacher should be a confortaing kind person understanding of the childs needs and fears. I was just disgusted when I watched and found out it was a teacher whos been teaching for a few year. I want to know where she went to school and got her certificaion from and how in her right mind she thought this activity was ok. Watch for yourself and let me know what you think.





http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#28112350

Kurzweil

I came acroos yet another very useful educational software called Kurzweil 3000. This allows teachers to personalize course material and create vocabulary lists, study guides and test questions. Students can create their won study notes, summaries and outlines. Teachers can keep students on track or quiz students with multiple choice, true/false matching test questions. You can scan in tests, worksheets and course material that students can complete online using all of the tools. You can customize the environment providing only the tools needed for the test or assignment. There is also a built in word processor and word prediction perect for students with disabilities. This allows word prediction and lets students hear what they type and they can correct the mistakes as they write.

Inspiration/kidspiration

SO, with the thanks of one of the students in my other class, I was given access to the software of inspiration and kidspiration. Let me just tell you this stuff is great!!! It helps develop ideas and organize thinking. Visual learning, supports students and strengthens their critical thinking, comprehension and writing skills. It also helps with students creativity and develops new ideas and ways of thinking. It will instantly transform a diagram into an outline in a matter of seconds. For the kidspiration, it helps young students develop their ideas. This software is wonderful for brainstorming, organizing, creating, mapping, diagraming, writing and exploring. With technology and visual learning I suggest any and all teachers aquire this software.