Classroom

Technology in Classrooms: One Laptop per Child-A Failed Idea? Is the use of technology benefiting the students in classrooms today or is It taking away from their education? Should students be allowed to have easy access to a computer during a lecture to find relevant information or is it a distraction that puts their attention onto something completely off subject? It has certainly been argued both ways. As technology becomes more prominent In everyday life, the global world changes at the same time. Third world, developing countries have begun to see this hang, and are starting to accept It.

One proposed start-up for Introducing technology Into the classrooms of these countries was the One Laptop per Child, a nonprofit organization that alms to provide laptops for the children of developing countries (“One Laptop per Child”). Technology has certainly changed education, Thither Garments, a faculty member of a Montreal school, asserts the use of laptops and technology In school classrooms allows for academic success. He claims that by using computers concentration and motivation has increased as well as a way of successful teaching students important ND valuable computer skills (in “Laptops in school classes improve scores”).

Robert Imaginer speaks on the behalf of students saying that they are more eager to integrate the use of computers into school because they are motivated to learn from it, they typically already know how to use one before starting school, and they are more likely to learn and understand the importance of technology which will help them with any future academic and employment opportunities. Imaginer claims that students have shown great excitement and are very curious in the classrooms with the introduction of computers.

He said that teachers are seeing less and less absenteeism and behavioral issues through this technological learning style (Imaginer). The use of technology is becoming more, and more valuable, as we get older and get busier, the use of computers help manage our everyday, somewhat complicated lives no matter if we are in the classroom or not. While some strongly agree that computers are a good thing and should be used in every school classroom, there are also those who disagree by providing reasons why computers will not help in educating students.

Paul Lam reported that both teachers ND students worry that computers in the classroom will be very distracting. Students agreed, saying that computers would take their attention away from what their teacher was saying. Teachers noticed that when computers were allowed during class time, students weren’t looking up, and they would smile at the computer screen, or be typing during Inappropriate times (Lam). Yes, computers are useful, but they take attention away from Important lectures and class time. It’s Important for these third world countries such as India, Peru, Kenya, and Afghanistan to continue to grow with this global change.

Technology Is being used more. And more, and it can be very helpful improving education especially in these countries. Even though they are at different stages of developing, as the world moves forward in development, countries to be ready to incorporate those changes. Technology is a new and very big change, it is one change, but a very important one not only have access to it, but to also know how to effectively and efficiently use it. Everyone, everywhere can benefit it; sometimes it Just takes time to figure out the best way. Integrating technology is an issue all on it’s own.

Countries may want to eave the ability to access technology, and Western cultures may want to push the use of technology, but it’s not always that easy. Technology has quickly taken over the world that we live in, we use it everyday, everywhere. The program, One Laptop per Child was designed to send low-cost, specially designed laptops to children in developing third world countries. According to the OLAP website, their “mission is to empower the world’s poorest children through education” (“One Laptop per Child”) by providing them with this laptop.

Kenneth Kramer says that OLAP put in a lot of effort to design a computer that loud withstand both the different and difficult conditions in a developing world country environment. Kramer stated that the designers had a great understanding of what developing countries needed when it comes to introducing technology. The computers are sealed, made to keep dirt out. The screen can read in bright sunlight, runs on very low power, and has a built in wireless system (Kramer). What’s the best part? These computers were set to be only $100, completely affordable, right?

The governments of these countries can purchase the computers and they can afford to give them to all the children. They have an important goal that no one is left out. All children should be able to experience the use of technology. One MIT professor, and adviser to the OLAP, Seymour Appear, talked about the benefits of the program saying that through the use of computers children can do anything, they “will take charge of knowledge” (Appear). With this program they will have access to computers, and they will have their own computer all the time.

This will allow students everywhere, especially in developing countries to learn (Appear). Of course there are many cons and negative feedback based upon this program. There are always going to be two sides and it’s important to look and understand both of them. From the New York Times, flogger David Vogue says it perfectly by saying, “think again. This laptop is not intended for the sneaky floggers. This laptop is intended for poor kids in other countries. And for that, I say it’s amazing’ (Vogue, 03:43).

Nicholas Negotiate, founder of OLAP, says that these computers have now been distributed to 2,000 students across the globe, in 40 different countries, and available in 25 different languages. Negotiate goes on to say that 25% of teachers in developing countries re illiterate and have very poor education. The other 25% teaching didn’t finish school themselves, someone teacher fifth grade may only have a sixth grade education. These computers will not Just teach students, it will allow non-student adults to learn too.

Negotiate said that we he first started this project people told him that you can’t Just build a laptop that is connected, give it a kid and walk away. He responded with, “you know what, you can, you actually can, and we have found that kids in the remotest part of the world, when given that connected not only teach homeless how to read and write, but most importantly, thy teach their parents how to read and write” (Negotiate 2010, 03:52). In a separate interview, Nicholas Negotiate says that the most important part of this project isn’t that children will have their own laptop, it’s that this will become a part of society.

This project has education (Negotiate 2009). One Laptop per Child, has been widely criticized by many for not actually helping children. Jeffery James, quoted in a Journal article by Jeanine Renders, argues that the OLAP program leads to too much time spent focusing on computers and rumoring the use of the Western technology and way of life that not enough effort will be put into other forms of education that are of equal or greater importance (Renders). Lisa Marie Allen argues that Western cultures have a long history of trying to put their values, beliefs and way of life into non-western cultures.

They are constantly exploring different ways to “help” these developing counties, when in reality they have little knowledge or understand of these third world countries, which are at a completely different stage of development. What Westerners believe to be a rarity, these non-western countries don’t see as a priority. She states that in many countries such as Ghana, education is not a priority. Many children need to stay home, do chores and work for their families. They are not concerned with being computer literate (Allen).

Eileen and Michael Benson continued this argument, by saying that OLAP believes that, “one educational model is suitable for all educational environments and that the latest educational approach should displace, historic, locally developed teaching approaches” (Person, 243). Pelham agrees saying that Hess countries don’t need laptops, building schools and libraries is a bigger priority and will be more beneficial for students in developing countries. These students will go without pencils and paper while the computers end up being sold on the black market. Bringing laptops to the world’s poorest children could be the educational equivalent of delivering cans of food to people who have no can-openers” (Pelham, 76). Paula Cook Mackinac talks about why teachers in developing countries have a hard time bringing the use of laptops into their education plans. Mackinac says hey have very little knowledge about how to use computers themselves, let alone having to teach young students how to use them. Teachers said they need technological support if they want to incorporate technology in school classrooms of these developing countries, and they don’t have it (Mackinac).

Did One Laptop Per Child fail or succeed with their mission? It’s up to individual interpretation and what is or should be important, as well as what has happened versus what was supposed to happen. Yes, computers were distributed to over 2,000 children throughout the world, and they have definitely learned from it. Many resources say it failed and they critique every aspect, but why did it fail? Computers were distributed and studies have showed that children learned from them. Sure, developing countries could use buildings, food and water more, but education is important.

These laptops are Just one part of helping developing countries more forward with the rest of the world. In reality, there isn’t enough information to say for certain if this project truly failed or succeed. It would definitely be beneficial to research and find out exactly what happened with OLAP. Did students benefit from the program and the use of computers? Or did they slowly fade out? Do computers in class actually help students? What do advocates and critics think about OLAP and technology in classrooms?

The more interest an issue gets, the more information, research, and solutions will be made or educational problems of the world’s poor” (Weyerhaeuser, 46). Weyerhaeuser continues by saying the process of improving education with technology is at a very early stage. To make such a change will take time and the use of several different professionals (Weyerhaeuser). One Laptop per Child is definitely an area of study that should be continued. This is a program that needs to succeed, education is key for children and everyone has the right to one.

The first popes of which were printed in 1454-1455. Only forty-eight original copies are known to existence, of which twenty-one are complete, Here Is a photo of a preserved Gutenberg Bible located at the New York library. Monsoons, 2011) In 2012, Steven Krebs author of The Printing Press states, “Printing facilitated the dissemination and preservation of knowledge In standardized form this was most Important In the advance of science, technology and scholarship. The printing press certainly initiated an “information revolution” on par with the Internet today. (Krebs, 2012) The ability to ass-produce and supply books led the world to formal schooling. Out of a demand for books that were specially designed for scholars, the textbook was created. The title of the first textbook used in American schools was “The New England Primer. ” According to the Library of Congress. Books That Shaped America 1800 to 1850. “More than 6 million copies In 450 editions of the New England Primer were printed between 1681 and 1830. ” (Rosemary Fry Polkas, 2014) Now two centuries later there is another Information revolution.

The move to open-source material Is on Its way to the classroom. In addition, it will be accelerated by President Beam’s push to invest in creating free online course as a part of his proposal to have digital textbooks in schools by the end of 2017. Textbooks have not gone the way of tablets yet, but many educators say that it will not be long before they are replaced. Being students and having to purchase, carry, and use textbooks led to tonight’s topic on the pros and cons of textbooks In the classroom. Textbooks are frequently controversial, are they up to date?

Are they effective? Now its forms of presentation are subjects of debate. Five sections including the introduction, the pros for textbooks, the cons, followed with tonight’s recommendation and lastly, a strong conclusion. At the end, you will learn the pros and cons of textbooks in the classroom and a detailed explanation of why our recommendation will make the most sense. Transition: The four pros in favor of the textbook in the classroom. L. The four pros of textbooks In the classroom. A. First, textbooks provide organized units of work.

According to The Complete Idiots Guide to Success as a Teacher by Anthony Fredrick’s, a textbook will give you all the Lana and lessons you need to cover a topic in some detail. (Frederick’s, 2005) When you are a student or teacher In class, you can depend on your textbooks to have the right information needed to complete a lesson and pass a test. Teachers are able to focus on what or how their teaching because textbooks contains the tools that practices for students like linking the past and present, and recognizing cause and effect. B. Secondly, a textbook is very durable and dependable.

Unlike tablets, if you drop your textbook there is no worry of it breaking. There are many varieties of textbooks. When you read and learn from a textbook, you are more likely to remember that lesson later in life. According to Science Teaching Reconsidered: A Handbook, the study of text structure has focused on how a reader builds cognitive representations from the text. In addition, studies indicate that using principle-first or textbook structure is more effective for long-term retention and understanding by novice readers. We are used to using textbooks. (Committee on Undergraduate Science Education, 1997) C.

Next, children are more focused and have a positive outcome with textbooks. According to an article based on literacy issued by riff. Org, states that in 11,000 reports, children’s book lending and ownership programs were shown to have positive behavioral, educational, and psychological outcomes. Children whom have access to print materials or textbooks reading performances are improved. Why? When children are provided with the right material or books it helps, them read better. With greater access to books, children are able to convey their enjoyment of books or academics, resulting of improved attitudes towards reading and learning. Mm Lindsay, 2010) D. The final pro about a textbook is if taken care of properly, a textbook will last for a very long time. One of the oldest multi-page books in the world is the Etruscan Gold Book. According to Winning Lane Books, the Etruscan Gold Book was discovered 70 years ago while digging off the Stratum River in Bulgaria. Monsoons, 2011) The estimated age of this book would be 2,763 years old. Textbooks are reusable and are handed from classroom to classroom. Transition: Now that you have heard the pros of textbooks in the classroom here is some of the cons. II.

The four cons of textbooks in the classroom. A. Having textbooks in the classroom can have its downsides, such as having a limited source of information, the weight it bares on a student’s back and cost. According to The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Success as a Teacher by Anthony Frederick’s, having a designated textbook per class only provides one perspective on a concept or issue. It is a sole source of information. How good is a mechanic if he only has one tool? (Frederick’s, 2005) B. Next, another problem textbooks present are the weight that it bares on a student’s back.

An article posted in Kids’ Health on icepack safety last accessed in June 2014 the weight from books in a backpack can compress the vertebrae in a child’s growing spine and can lead to poor posture and back pain. (Dowdies, 2013) I found this fact especially concerning as a student who carries books back and forth from class. At times, I find myself hunched over trying to even out the weight of my books in my bag. Now imagine an elementary school student with his or her math book on that small body. Concerning right? C. Another default of having textbooks in the classroom is the impact on the environment.

In an article posted in the Washington Post in 2010 by Stephan Lawman, appear. 1. 45 million tons of paper was used to produce textbooks. (Lawman, 2010) That’s must continue to be “Green” in our way of living. D. Lastly, cost is a large drawback of textbooks in the classroom. According to an article posted on Scholastic Publishes Literacy Resources and Children’s Books for Kids of All Ages composed in November of 2008, an average elementary book can cost more than $100. 00. (Rap, 2008) A very popular topic of conversation in politics is educational budget and how there Just is to enough money for schools.

How are we to afford books that cost over $100. 00 each? In Florida, the average class size is approximately 25 students. That is $2500 for just one classroom. The real question we must ask ourselves is can we really afford books in the classroom. Transition: Now, in detail our recommendation for keeping printed textbooks in the classrooms and why it is the best option. Ill. Recommendation A. All of those cons can easily be countered with a simple logical explanation. Outdated source information is an invalid argument for most courses because codebooks are recycled every seven-ten years.

How much has a pre-1900 history class changed in the past 10 years? Not much, because it would be impossible to changed what happened. In addition, for most basic science class, focus on the scientific laws has not changed in a hundred years. For more advanced and current classes online sourcing may be an additional layer for resources but the textbook still offers a good basis of information on the subject. B. Textbooks are long lasting and durable. They can fall from your desk or slip out of your hands and when it hit the ground it goes not crash or have a black out moment.

You pick them up and they are ready to continue from where you left off. C. Back pain is a large problem in today’s society however a type of eye fatigue or eyestrain commonly caused by computers is known as computer vision syndrome. It affects about 50%-90% of computer workers. (Eye Fatigue: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment) If students start using computers instead of textbooks, this could affect them too. D. Cost is a complaint many people have about textbooks, but E-Books are usually only $10 less than textbook form. That is cause most of the cost is writing and publishing not paper.

E. After reviewing all the pros and cons, we are recommending that it is in the best interest of the students and the learning process to continue using textbooks instead of adopting different technologies. Textbooks were made to be in the classroom and should stay in the classroom. Transition: Thank you for listing to our recommendation for keeping textbooks in the classroom, here now is the final wrap up. IV. Conclusion A. Remember, that nothing on this planet is perfect; there will always be pros and cons of everything that exists.

With that said there are pros and cons of textbooks, as many of you know. The pros of texts books are that material is well organized in particular sections, books are durable and you do not have to worry if you drop it, textbook will last forever. The cons of textbooks are that it limits us to one source of information, textbooks are heavy, and that it cost a lot of money having to buy new textbooks for every class. B. Based on our group’s personal experiences and our pros and cons of textbooks, we feel comfortable in recommending that keeping textbooks in the classroom is best.

Curriculum Steiner Montessori

Introduction

As with most things in instruction, there is no in agreement definition of ‘curriculum’ . The manner we understand and theorise it has altered over the old ages. A utile starting point for us here might be the definition offered by John Kerr and taken up by Vic Kelly in his standard work on the topic. Kerr ( Kelly 1999, p.10 ) defines course of study as ‘All the acquisition which is planned and guided by school, whether it is carried on in groups or separately, inside or outside school.’

There are many theoreticians who have studied kid development and have designed curriculum’s from their ain theories which they think will offer the best acquisition environment. This study will merely analyze three of assorted current course of study but offers an penetration of how there is no existent right or incorrect manner of how a kid learns.

The study will take a expression at the ‘Steiner Method’ , the ‘Montessori Method’ , and eventually it will discourse the ‘High Scope Method’ , a more late developed method. It will besides supply illustrations on how some of the thoughts of these methods are being incorporated into other childcare scenes and course of studies.

The Steiner Method

There is over eight hundred Steiner schools universe broad. The Steiner method is based on the doctrines of Rudolf Steiner and the instruction emphasises personal duty and societal consciousness. The cardinal purpose of the instruction is to fit immature people emotionally, spiritually and intellectually, non merely to run into the hereafter but to play an of import portion in determining it.

Harmonizing to Steiner’s doctrine, adult male is a treble being of spirit, psyche, and organic structure whose capacities unfold in three developmental phases on the way to maturity: early childhood, in-between childhood, and adolescence. Steiner instruction differs from the mainstream in a figure of ways.

In a Steiner school there is no Hierarchy, instructors and parents work along together. Children do non get down formal instruction until they are six or seven old ages old and they so stay with the same instructor for seven old ages. The instructor works with the student’s parents, frequently sing the household place to let parental engagement. Classrooms are filled with natural and organic stuffs.

In a Steiner baby’s room, kids typically play with simple unfinished, wooden toys instead than bright plastic 1s, to let their imaginativenesss to develop. A Steiner schoolroom would hold few books and few computing machines. The Steiner doctrine dictates that screen images hinder the development of idea and imaginativeness. Colour is of import to Steiner ‘s educational doctrine for assisting kids ‘s imaginativeness to boom so students are instructed carefully as to how to continue through the coloring material spectrum ( Lewis 2001 ) .

The immense difference between the Steiner method and other methods is that larning is directed by the instructor instead than the kid. There is a immense accent on creativeness and instructors will demo kids how and what stuffs they use. Teachers stress physical development through a ritualised dance signifier called eurythmy.

Another primary rule of the Steiner method is kids do non get down reading until their grownup dentitions have erupted, normally around age seven, which, harmonizing to Steiner, shows the child’s preparedness to get down formal instruction. Delayed reading is one of the most controversial issues environing Steiner instruction, and there is concern from some pedagogues that kids may lose out on their literacy and reading “windows” ( Mogensen 2004 ) .

The Steiner method is one that is enormously different to other methods used in Nurseries and schools ; therefore it is sometimes hard to see similarities in other educational establishments. However you can see similar theories in the Montessori Method. The usage of natural stuffs and the composure scene is one of the chief rules that link the two methods. I have seen this in topographic point at a Montessori primary school. The school was really quiet, and tonss of playthings and larning stuffs were made of wood and other natural stuffs.

The school besides adopted some of the originative thoughts that Steiner follow. They let the kids make their ain narrative books alternatively of reading published books with ‘ready-made’ images, which encourages the kid to utilize their imaginativeness more widely. I think this is a great thought, as kids are non tainted by a peculiar image of a individual, animate being, object or environment. Kettle Nursery, who follow a 3-5 course of study, hold regular meetings with parents to inform them of their child’s development, and they besides give parents chances to detect their kid in the baby’s room. This promotes parental engagement, which is another of Steiner’s chief rules.

The Montessori Method

The Montessori Method is an educational method for kids, based on theories of kid development originated by an Italian pedagogue, Maria Montessori. The method accommodates all ages of kids but it is applied chiefly in preschool and simple schools. It is an alternate type of method that harnesses the child’s natural ability to larn and is built upon the thought that kids develop and believe otherwise than grownups.

The Montessori Method supports all facets of the Childs personal and societal development. “From the minute the kid enters the schoolroom, each measure in his instruction is seen as a progressive edifice block, finally organizing the whole individual, in the outgrowth from childhood to adulthood. All focal point is on the demands of the child” ( Hainstock 1997, p.xiii ) .

One separating characteristic of the Montessori at the preschool age is that kids direct their ain acquisition, taking among the subdivisions of a well structured and stocked schoolroom including practical life, sensory, Language, Math, Geography, Science and Art. The “Practical Life” country is particularly for the really immature kid and teaches them how to care for themselves and their environment.

Here, a kid will larn to dress themselves, to pour, to rinse a tabular array, and to properly rinse their custodies, among other things. The “Sensorial” country allows them to utilize their senses to larn about the universe. Here, a kid will larn to judge different highs, lengths, weights, colourss, sounds, odors, forms, and textures. The linguistic communication, math, geographics and scientific discipline countries provide a kid with AIDSs for their rational development. Exercises in organic structure motion assist their physical development and their consciousness of their organic structure and what it can make. Many Montessori schools add such countries as music, art, dance, run uping, wood-working and foreign linguistic communications to foster enrich a child’s sum development ( Montessori 1912 ) .

In a Montessori school, a kid teaches himself through their usage of the specially designed Montessori stuffs. These are attractive, by and large simple, child-sized stuffs that are self-correcting, that is, if a kid makes an mistake, they can see it by looking at the stuff itself in this manner ; no grownup is needed to indicate out their error and possibly wound their self-pride. The kid learns to work entirely and with others in a Montessori school.

A kid learns to follow the category “ground rules” and may frequently remind other kids to follow them every bit good. Because they can take their ain work and make it at their ain gait, a kid has many chances for success ; the Montessori schoolroom is non-competitive. They will besides hold entree to workss and animate beings and will assist care for them. The Montessori schoolroom is an attractive topographic point in which a kid can be free from big domination and can detect their universe and construct their head and organic structure.

The Montessori Method is alone. It is based on a reasonable balance between freedom and construction specifically designed for the immature kid. It provides a pleasant environment with carefully devised stuffs that meet the child’s natural demands. It provides the overall counsel of a thoroughly trained teacher. The function of the instructor is to present kids to stuffs and remain a “silent presence” ( Montessori 1912, p.371 ) in the schoolroom. Montessori gives a kid a strong footing, in their most formative old ages, for developing into a all-around, responsible, happy and fulfilled grownup.

From my experience in Kettle baby’s room, I can see how the course of study incorporates some of the thoughts that the Montessori Method follows. For case, the kids are to the full encouraged to make things for themselves, and take their ain drama and acquisition. The grownup is to merely function as an helper by back uping and widening their acquisition through drama.

They are besides encouraged to clean up after themselves ; rinsing up their bite dishes, cleaning the tabular arraies and clean uping off stuffs one time they have finished utilizing them this is a really similar thought to the Montessori’s practical life thought. Another activity that allows kids to see practical life is when every bit shortly as they enter the baby’s room they are expected to take their outside vesture and places themselves, and at the terminal of the twenty-four hours they are expected to set it back on themselves.

The High Scope Method

The High Scope course of study was developed in the United States of America in the 1960’s. It is one of the most common methods used at that place and in some other states. The thought behind High Scope is that kids should be involved actively in their ain acquisition. The grownups working with the kids should see themselves more as facilitators than supervisors.

The High Scope method is an “active learning” attack. This means pupils have direct custodies on experience with people, objects, events and thoughts. Children’s involvements and picks are at the bosom of High Scope based plans. They construct their ain cognition through interactions with the universe and the people around them.

Children take the first measure in the acquisition procedure by doing picks and following through on their programs and determinations. Teachers and parents offer physical, emotional and rational support. In active learning scenes grownups expand children’s believing with diverse stuffs and nurturing interactions.

High Scope has alone characteristics that differentiate it from other early childhood plans. One is the day-to-day plan-do-review sequence. Research shows that be aftering and reexamining are the two constituents of the plan twenty-four hours most positively and significantly associated with children’s tonss on measurings of developmental advancement.

This three-part sequence is alone to the High/Scope attack. It includes a short little group treatment during which kids plan what they want to make during work clip ( the country to see, stuffs to utilize and friends to play with ) . They are so given to clip to transport out their programs and so they meet up once more for another group treatment for reexamining what they have done and what they have learned. In between “do” and “review” kids clean up by seting off their stuffs or hive awaying unfinished undertakings. Childs are really active and purposeful during “do” clip because they are prosecuting activities that involvement them. They may follow their initial programs but frequently as they become engaged their programs shift or may even alter wholly ( High Scope Educational Research Foundation 2007 ) .

The High Scope method besides operates group clip. ‘Small’ group clip is a opportunity for the kids to run into with an grownup to experiment with stuffs and work out jobs. Although grownups choose the activity to underscore a cardinal experience, kids are free to utilize the stuff in any manner they want during this clip. ‘Large’ group clip is the clip where kids and grownups come together for motion and music activities storytelling and other activities. Children have many picks and play the function of leader.

In High Scope plans grownups are as active in the acquisition procedure as kids. A common spring and take relationship exists in which both groups participate as leaders and followings, talkers and hearers. Adults interact with kids by sharing control with them ; concentrating on their strengths, organizing echt relationships with them, back uping their drama thoughts, and assisting them decide struggles. Adults participate as spouses in children’s activities instead than supervisors. They respect kids and their picks and promote enterprise, independency, and creativeness. Because grownups are good trained in kid development, they provide stuffs and program experiences that kids need to turn and larn.

Children and grownups spend at least half an hr outside every twenty-four hours basking vigorous and frequently noisy drama. They are free to do big motions running, jumping, mounting singing turn overing leaping yelling-all with energy. They collect and they garden. In utmost conditions they do big motor activity indoors. Transition times are the proceedingss between other blocks of the twenty-four hours including reaching and going times.

The end is to do passages go through swimmingly since they set the phase for the following section in the days’ agenda. They besides provide meaningful chances themselves. Children may make up one’s mind how to travel across the floor on the manner to little group clip. With a consistent day-to-day modus operandi, kids know what is traveling to take topographic point next. It is non unusual for them to denote the following activity and originate the passage. Snack clip allows kids to bask eating healthy nutrient in a supportive societal scene ( High Scope Educational Research Foundation 2007 ) .

Some of these day-to-day modus operandis that happen in a high range baby’s room are rather similar to other course of studies. The thought of the kid taking their ain acquisition is incorporated into the Montessori Method and the 3-5 twelvemonth Curriculum. I have seen this work good at Kettle Nursery. Another of import component that I have seen in working action was the importance of wellness. Snack clip at Kettle allows kids to see a healthy eating experience ; including sugar free bites, fruits and veggies.

It seems to be that in the High Scope Method, the child’s wellness is a really of import facet of the course of study, which is really similar to the 3-5 old ages course of study. Kettle Nursery provides the chance for the kids to see play outside each twenty-four hours. They encourage an active life style which once more is really similar to High Scope. At the terminal of they twenty-four hours at Kettle Nursery, the Nursery Nurse besides spends a few proceedingss to discourse with the kids what they did that twenty-four hours, this is a small similar to the High Scopes thought of ‘reviewing’ .

Mentions

Hainstock, E. 1997.The Essential Montessori: An debut to the adult female, the Hagiographas, the method, and the motion. New York: Plume Books.

High Scope Educational Research Foundation. 2007.Curriculum.[ Online ] Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.highscope.org/Content.asp? ContentId=1 [ accessed 24 September 2007 ]

Kelly, A. V. 1999.The Curriculum: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

Lewis, G. 2001.Rudolf Steiner. [ Online ] Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.freedom-in-education.co.uk/Steiner.htm [ accessed 24 September 2007 ]

Mogensen, K. 2004.Eyess Wide Open. [ Online ] Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.aeufederal.org.au/Publications/AE/Atmn04pp26-30.pdf [ accessed 24 September 2007 ]

Montessori, M. 1912.The Montessori Method.[ e-book ] New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company. Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //digital.library.upenn.edu/women/montessori/method/method.html [ accessed 14 October 2007 ]

Bibliography

Scots Executive. 2001.Curriculum Framework for kids 3 to 5.Dundee: Learning and Teaching Scotland.

Tanner, D. 2006.Curriculum Development: Theory into Practice. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Maria Montessori. n.d.Maria Montessori, MD.[ Online ] Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.montessori.edu/maria.html [ accessed 24 September 2007 ]

“ The term ‘visual damage ‘ refers to people with unretrievable sight loss ” ( Open University, 2006 ) . However, this class of people who require particular instruction demands ( SEN ) besides includes people whose damage can be recovered after medical aid. In general, a individual is non considered visually impaired when vision is possible with the aid of spectacless or contact lenses.

Ocular damage can be caused after familial malfunction and ocular harm to the oculus before birth, after birth and during life p ( Miller and Ockelford, 2005 ) .

There are 1.5 million kids worldwide that suffer from ocular damage. There are many oculus conditions that can do ocular damage in kids. Amongs them are Albinism, Cataracts, Coloboma, Cortical ocular damage ( CVI ) , Glaucoma, Nystagmus, Optic nervus upsets, Retinopathy of prematureness and Retinitis pigmentosa ( Miller and Ockelford, 2005 ) .

There are some factors that can impact the visually impairer ‘s ability to get by with their status and map better. The specialist healer ‘s support can be a major influence, and the household ‘s attitude has a important portion as good. Additionally, societal and emotional safety has been proven to be really of import.

Music and the non-specialist music instructors and the SEN kids

Music can be good to every sort of particular instruction demand without even the appropriate cognition of the music instructors. Since the head has to be highly watchful all the clip, causes tenseness. Relaxing music can diminish tensenesss degrees ( Kersten, 1981 ) . Researchers in the country of music found that music can bring forth hearing every bit good as quiver. Elizabeth May ( 1961 ) has found that deaf kids can experience music through quivers, and execute in a alone manner.

Harmonizing to Zimmerman ( 1997 ) , music can enrapture assurance, develop aspiration and satisfaction, in single and group work within the school environment. Music lesson in the course of study is really of import because it helps to advance self efficaciousness in kids. It facilitates relaxation and merriment in comparing with the therapies and other lessons that the kids are taught. Furthermore, kids with particular instruction demands might compare themselves with the other kids in the schoolroom. However, during the music lesson they are given the chance to loosen up and take part every bit. In add-on to that, music can enrapture creativeness for the kids with particular instruction demands.

Kersten ( 1981 ) has indicated that, “ Music provides an of import aesthetic part to the lives of sighted persons ” ; hence, VI pupils can make originative degrees through musical activities. In the instance of non-sighted kids, music playthings can be really helpful since sighted kids have vision as the first sensory in order to gain objects and particularly playthings.

Furthermore, these pupils can play a rhythmic instrument and bring forth steady beat, and take part in music composings. In general, a non-sighted individual is able to spread out life experiences by the usage of other senses.

It is a known fact that visually impaired people use sound as a manner to counterbalance their loss of vision. Attending concerts is ever enjoyable because they can to the full take part like everybody else in the audience. It is really important how this signifier of equality can act upon their feelings of self-esteem. Most of the visually impaired are hearers, yet some of them are more involved with music by executing or even composing.

Non-specialist music instructors have a great duty when educating kids with particular instruction demands. Although, they are non trained to cognize a manner to respond in the presence of any job, or, how to learn a vocal to each different instance of particular instruction demand, the music instructor is of import to be informed and take the appropriate preparation refering how to learn the kid. Being cognizant of the basic symptoms the kids show is one manner to learn them.

The Music instructor in comparing with the Music healer

There are many differences between the music pedagogue and the music healer. “ Music therapy and music instruction are distinguishable subjects and have separate grade demands ” ( Patterson, 2003 ) . Patterson ( 2003 ) points out that the healer and the pedagogue are two different analogues. The pedagogue is the individual responsible to learn music ; on the other manus the healer addresses societal and communicative accomplishments through music. In other words, the purpose of the music instructor is to bring forth music, the purpose of the music healer is to supply an betterment in mental and physical wellness through music. These two functions should non be confused. However, there are some frequent misinterpretations that music instructors and healers are set abouting the same preparation, and they are supplying the same services.

What is the function of the music instructor? VI kids often visit either a healer or a music healer ; hence, music instructor is non responsible T O treat the kid but to learn music as for the other kids. The music lesson should supply joy to the kids and if they are treated otherwise, that might do negative feelings and emphasis. Children with animal or physical damages have the ability to go really gifted instrumentalists, and the instructor should maintain that in head and handle them every bit.

Harmonizing to Patterson ( 2003 ) , music pedagogues can collaborate with music healers, through audiences or in-service preparation. This accommodates the chance for music instructors to larn new techniques and schemes. They can be informed and updated refering the possible jobs that a particular instruction demand kid will confront in a mainstream school.

Children with ocular damage in mainstream schools

In the mainstream school, a batch of troubles might be an obstruction for a VI kid. First of wholly, the kid may hold trouble reading notes from the board because of “ deformation of depth perceptual experience, color perceptual experience, what is being seen and perceived ” ( Arter et.al, 1999 ) . Furthermore, the kid may non be able to concentrate to approach and far distances, and this may do ocular weariness to the kid. These jobs can be solved by supplying more clip to treat the ocular information.

There are many sentiments refering the school environment ‘s function. Some people support the thought that the school should offer safety for impaired people. However, others disagree with this, bearing that merely few steps should be taken in order to help them.

Harmonizing to Patterson ( 2003 ) , many instructors have stated that they do non experience prepared to cover with kids with larning troubles. A study of modern-day mainstreaming patterns in the southern United States support this ( Music Educators Journal 58, April 1972 ) . Furthermore Jaquiss ( 2005 ) has collected some statements by music instructors that show the unpreparedness of the music instructors:

“ I need much more clip to be after if students with SEN are traveling to be coming to my lessons ”

And

“ I have plenty to make without worrying about sorts who ca n’t read or compose ” .

Harmonizing to this, some instructors would experience more confident if they could hold more preparation on how to learn music to pupils with particular instruction demands.

Witchell ( 2001 ) states that instructors ‘ outlooks should be realistic, and a secured method of larning is required for SEN kids. Furthermore, the Philpott and Plumeridge ( 2001 ) suggest that prosecuting a holistic attack that combines executing, composing and listening additions the natural development of musical development.

Extracurricular work, in and out of school, for the VI kids

A school is a topographic point that acts as a little community where person can do friends and take part in groups and in different occasions. The visually impaired and every other particular instruction demand kids have a really hard day-to-day plan because of the instructor ‘s demands, and the therapies they are set abouting every twenty-four hours. In this instance, it is instead impossible to demand from these kids to take part in any extracurricular activity after school. Coercing the kid to fall in any music group, demands more attempt from the instructor and the kid.

However, there are many musical ensemble activities that kids can take part, which do non necessitate notation. Some illustrations are: the Caribbean steel pan, the art and trade of the steel set, gamelan orchestras and different genres, which require improvisation by the instrumentalists. In this instance visually impaired kids can to the full take part at the same degree with their schoolmates, and experience a sense of equality and same capableness.

Visually impaired kids in the early old ages

Zimmerman ( 1997 ) illustrated that kids who can see are more appealing because they interact more. On the other manus, babies who are non-sighted might non interact as much, and might non acquire the same response as the sighted babies. During the early old ages kids prefer toys from wood or metal than plastic 1s because the sound they produce is more exciting. Furthermore, in this age visually impaired babies are able to pull strings audiovisual stuffs. A posting-box recording equipment can spread out familiarity and turn control over sound through listening pleasance.

In the mainstream baby’s room school, the sighted kid is take parting in singing nursery rimes and musical games. Vision is the sense that enables kids to associate otiose sounds with what they see. Zimmerman ( 1997 ) suggests musical cues in order to assist the visually impaired kids. The non-sighted should be given clip to touch the instrument, produce a sound by error and get down researching the instrument. One nice learning method is to give instruments as a wages to the well behaved kids with ocular damage.

Visually impaired at the key phase 1

The national course of study in England and Wales, in cardinal phase 1, is accessible to non-sighted pupils as good because it involves singing and playing an instrument, composing and being a portion of an ensemble. Zimmerman ( 1997 ) states that visually impaired pupils are able to even play marimbas, when the instructor takes off the note pieces that are non supposed to be played. Furthermore, the writer suggests that since the visually impaired pupil can non number on or copy other pupils, a solution is to keep custodies and take bends.

Visually impaired at the cardinal phase 2

In this phase, kids are able to sing and understand basic harmoniousness in relation to the vocal. The music instructor by using the sense of touch as a cue can bespeak to the blind and visually impaired pupils the right clip to come in the vocal. The readying for the public presentation ( dry runs and phase readying ) can be more hard than the public presentation afterwards. The usage of Braille, written linguistic communication for the blind, is indispensable for the kids in music lessons for kids with ocular damages in order to recognize the pitch and the length of notes.

Visually impaired at the cardinal phase 3

In cardinal phase 3, music specializer instructors are present in schools and they are responsible for the music lesson in particular designed music suites. It is instead hard for the blind and VI kids to show their endowment because a whole category is working at the same clip with the instructor holding facial looks. The noise degree in the schoolroom might impact significantly the non-sighted kid ‘s ability to understand and follow the lesson. Zimmerman ( 1997 ) noticed that less sighted pupils prefer to hold a prima function or be merely a inactive member than have the same function as the bulk of other pupils. In this age the non-sighted kids are able to utilize the Braille beat notation. More lit, bright colorss and hypertrophied photocopies in a music base can assist pupils to work quicker.

Visually impaired at the cardinal phase 4

At this phase, the General Certificate of Secondary Education scrutiny is taking topographic point every bit good as the Standard Grade. Visually impaired kids are able to take these scrutinies with the aid of Braille, word processors and by composing the replies by manus.

The lesson it-self: acting, listening and composing

As mentioned above, kids who are visually impaired use their sense of hearing in order to pass on and take part in the same degree with other pupils in the schoolroom. A quiet environment helps the kids to distinguish the sounds. In footings of acting, Witchell ( 2001 ) as noted that the music instructor should cognize every pupil ‘s musical degree. In this manner the instructor will be able to put the pupil in the appropriate degree of public presentation. The instructor can utilize short musical phrases to help the less sighted pupils to copy, repetition and develop. Furthermore, rhythmic ostinati and the usage of the pentatonic graduated table can be a great tool in helping the pupil to accomplish better consequences. Working in braces, one VI pupil and one sighted pupil can suit more successful public presentation. Pairs can pattern in a pattern room for better consequences, because VI pupils find it more hard to concentrate in their activity with other pupils playing music in the same room. In add-on to this, the usage of Alternatively Clearvision music books ( which includes besides the Braille system ) , provides equal chances for all kids to work together without any distinction. Furthermore, the usage of a recording equipment in the schoolroom can assist the VI pupils to pattern and memorise a musical piece more easy.

“ The sky is the bound, since when given the chance to take, able students frequently select hard and ambitious paths, and bask taking hazards ” ( Witchell, 2001 ) . This quotation mark should besides mention to the visually impaired pupils, because they are every bit capable as the sighted pupils in acting.

Listening activities have been proven to promote pupils to use their aural sharp-sightedness in response to what they hear, and make their ain apprehension. It is suggested that the instructor should inquire easy answered inquiries to increase pupils ‘ engagement without any loss their assurance. Witchell ( 2001 ) has distinguished three basic degrees to find the students ‘ advancement. Students ‘ ability to distinguish sound qualities and instruments are the cardinal elements of the first degree. On the following degree, the pupils are able to acknowledge expressive characteristics. Finally, at the 3rd degree, the pupil can sort the construction of a piece.

The last and really of import facet of instruction is composing which creates and improves the creativeness of the pupils. The instructor takes a more facilitator ‘s function refering the composing portion of the lesson. However, instructors sometimes neglect their function as a manager and have jobs learning the category. Composing can supply a sense of power and control to the lupus erythematosus sighted pupils because they understand and learn better when they compose. There are many ways to assist the visually impaired kids to larn how to compose.

The instructor should maintain a steady gait to ease the pupils larning ability to compose. One manner to accomplish this is learning a specific genre to the kids and allow them work on it. Another manner for the kids to larn to compose is larning a specific graduated table. Furthermore, the instructor can explicate the rules of the vocal signifiers and melodious forms and use the wordss to the music in order to do it easier to the pupils to larn.

Additionally, the sum of clip given to carry through a composing undertaking should be equal. Ten to fifteen proceedingss are plenty for pupils groups to compose a little piece.

Every person student has his ain demands. It should be the bottom line to guarantee that music in schools meets every single demand ; hence, music instruction should lend to all kids so its impact could be maintained though their life p.

Visually impaired kids are able to to the full take part in all musical activities in a mainstream school. However, there are some factors that could assist these kids in acting, listening and composing.

The instructor should allow to the VI pupils to take the instruments of their liking. Furthermore, it would be helpful if the kids use a personal tape recording equipment or a mini-disk participant. In add-on to that, it is indispensable to do the pupils cognizant of what instruments are available in their schoolroom, by taging them with a highlighter marker. On the contrary, the instructor should ne’er take the instrument from a pupil without allowing them know. Furthermore, sudden and loud sounds can be really raging for the VI kids. In add-on to that, hapless quality and unturned instruments would detain the kids ‘s advancement.

Refering specific activities, the music instructor should explicate the undertakings to the VI kids in the same degree with all the kids in the schoolroom. As mentioned above, the instructor should happen a pattern room for the VI kids. Talking while kids are making will impact a successful result. Furthermore, the instructor should ne’er oppugn that they will necessitate aid in entering or that they will hold a perfect musical memory.

Many writers have stated that a music instructor in a mainstream school should do the VI pupil feel as more capable as possible. Learning for visually impaired pupils has to be ordered to go more good towards them. The music lesson should be a enjoyable activity that meets every pupil demand.