The importance of Age

Age is one of the most important differences that can cause individuals to not be able to relate to one another. This is why it is very important for teachers to take age into consideration in their classrooms. Whether you teach elementary, middle, or high school, each generation has its own culture of differences. These differences can be displayed in their language, beliefs, clothing, interests, and passions.

Learning styles is one of the most apparent differences in the generation that is currently in school compared to my learning style growing up. While I am not that much older that the students currently in school, advances in technology make learning a much different atmosphere that it was 20 years ago. Students are now tech savvy individuals that engage through hand-held devices and computer screens instead of notebook paper and worksheets. The following videos are some of my favorite in depicting the differences that teachers must acknowledge and adapt curriculum to because of the age differences and learning styles of the new generation of students.



If you can ignore the weird robotic voice in the beginning, this video shows how teachers are adapting their teaching styles in order to meet the needs of the younger generation of students.


I found an interesting site that discusses the differences between the traditionalists, baby boomers, gen 'x'ers, and nexters (or Gen Y). It discusses how each generation has different values within the community. It also give great tips on ways to encourage communication with each particular generation. Click here to view the site.

The last video that I wanted to share is one on Generation WE. Generation We is a new movement on the more political side of society. It's purpose is to empower the Millennial generation to take action and become involved. As the video states, this upcoming generation will have more power when the reach the age to vote than any other in history. This is definitely something that a teacher should consider.

Geographical Differences in the Classroom

This week my group was responsible for presenting about geographical differences in education. This topic encompasses quite a bit of information. Geographical differences can come in many forms. Individuals can take on different cultures depending on the region that they live in. The united states is made up of primarily five different regions. Each of the regions contains its own subculture. Individuals within the regions speak, eat, believe, and live differently. Teachers should be aware of these differences in order to relate to students and understand their background within the education realm.

Not only do teachers need to be aware of regional differences within the United States but also differences within each of the regions. Even students who all come from the same region can have differences based upon the community within that region. There are urban, suburban, and rural differences. For example, students who attend an inner city school in Dallas will be much different than students who attend a school in the suburban city of Rowlett. Both of these will have much different perspectives than a student whonattends school in the rural town of Lone Oak (where I attended high school). I have had the privilege of attending all three types of schools. I went to elementary and middle schools in a suburban community. Then I attended high school in a rural community. Lastly, I currently attend SMU in the urban community of Dallas. I have been able to experience the differences in each of the different community types.

Religion Reflections

-Guest Speakers-

I always enjoy when we have guest speakers in the class discussions, even if those speakers as not exactly 'guests'. I love to hear the perpectives of different individuals and why they think and believe what they do. I find that it challenges my own beliefs as I understand and relate to the experiences of the speakers. 

-Religion-

Religion is one of those topics that I completely avoid talking about with other people. It seems that every time the topic is approached someone is defensive and/or adamant to convince you otherwise. I thought that the group tonight did a wonderful job of maintaining an unbiased point of view while presenting the religious differences of individuals. This is a hard thing to accomplish. Congrats to them! SOme of the most interesting points from the discussions were:

• 'Under God' was actually added to coins in the 1800's.  
• Religious clauses of the 1st amendment: establishment clause, free exercise clause. 
• Separation of church and state has developed through several supreme court rulings that declared that situations that demand students to say prayers or read the bible are unconstitutional.
• The numerous misconceptions that individuals have about different religions.

I love learning about different religions and what people believe. The following two websites have valuable information to learn more:

1. http://www.typesofreligion.com/
2. http://www.religioustolerance.org/var_rel.htm