Week One -- Learning Object & Teacher Opinions

I was really confused when reading over the syllabus for this class and trying to determine what "Learning Objects" were -- luckily Cramer cleared it up. I have come to think of "Learning Objects" as a fancy term (much like "cooperative learning" is to "group work") as a multi-use resource. I started to think about the many resources I used in lessons during my internship, like The Sneetches video for introducing Apartheid and The White Man's Burden poem when talking about colonization in Africa. I had found resources like these and put them to use in a specific topic that I was teaching. Luckily, these resources I listed (much like the rest of my favorite) I will be able to use in a different context and when talking about a different topic all together... ah, the beauty of a "learning object."

I thought the article on Discussing Controversial Issues by Kelly was interesting. As I was reading, I tried to picture myself acting as one of the four teachers he described. I definitely ended up fitting the description of neutral impartiality (the third teacher listed). This is when the teacher promotes discussion and dialogue in the classroom, but does not state what side of the issue they personally stand on. While Kelly has a lot of critique on this style, I would have to say that I love it. I used this outlook throughout my internship and discussed controversial issues frequently with my class. The kids loved participating in role-playing activities (such as simulating colonization) and then discussing their perspectives. Another time that comes to mind revolves around teaching the 5 major religions -- I strived to do so in a very 'unbiased' way by not stating my own views in the classroom. I think that the teacher can effectively teach about an issue, have students discuss it, and remain neutral the whole time IF a little tender-loving-care is put into the planning of discussion. I think that, if asked by the students, teachers should definitely be able and willing to share their views, but I think that it is not a mandatory action that needs to take place during every controversial discussion... especially in the context of a younger-grade classroom where students have not formed opinions of their own about a topic yet.