Hello! Hope all is well in your corner of the education world! Remember you need to bring your TEKS and the lesson you taught this week in the Hunter Lesson Design format. If you were able to collect some samples of student products (quizzes, worksheets, etc) please bring them also. You will be working with your colleagues to showcase you efforts. I will be collecting the lesson plan sheet so be prepared for that.
Please read the linked article. Give your definition of education.
http://www.teachersmind.com/education.htm
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Wow! My definition of education comes straight from the heart! Nothing formal...simply formed from my own learning experiences as well as from the short period of time I have spent in the classroom (although short, it has been very enlightening!). My definition of education is a "package", delivered to every learner, that consists of continous encouragment (provided by the educator), supportive behavior, offering of a varieaty of different ways to learn the same thing (as all learners "get it" differently), ask, answer, and encourage questions ALWAYS (remember, there is no stupid question...I firmly believe that!), and finally, education means finding a purpose in your life for everything you learn or are taught! And this is my simple and personal definition of education. I learn by it and teach by it every day!
ReplyDeleteThe Meaning of Education
ReplyDeleteEducation is a process of transferring external knowledge of the past, present and conceptual future to students via various forms of media facilitated by a “professional” instructor who possesses the ability to verify the student’s understanding of the material presented through various methods of assessment including observation, written and oral communication, and practical application. The purpose would be to enable an individual to use their naturally given intellectual talents and skills in conjunction with the learned external knowledge to produce a self-thinking individual who can effectively provide satisfactory solutions to various problems and questions that they are confronted with during their lifetime.
The Pros & Cons of Untraditionally Trained Teachers
ReplyDeleteAccording to Harry and Rosemary Wong in their book, The First Days of School, the U.S. will need more than 2 million more teachers by 2010. Under those circumstances, one would think that acquiring new teachers from as many venues as possible would be essential. I noticed on a local TV news report a few weeks ago, that 35% of all the teachers in Texas come from alternative teaching sources.
It is certainly possible that professionally trained teachers from universities would probably possess more skills in assessing problem students than teachers who were not formally trained as educators, but even they require a certain amount of practice and practical application before they are at their best. In Texas, as well as many other states, there are numerous specialists who deal with special needs students. Even formally trained educators call on those specialists to confirm and verify special needs students. Therefore, I feel an individual with a degree and the proper alternative training should be able to recognize a student that is not performing at the same level as the remainder of the class. They may not know why, but they would certainly be able to ask for a consultation or assessment by another qualified individual within the school.
These alternative-trained teachers may also find after a short period of time, that teaching is not their forte, but they might be very adept and useful in another part of the school system, like administration or business. This could help reduce the need for seasoned teachers who may enjoy teaching, to be used in these capacities.
Finally, I believe that individuals that have practiced their skills in other fields of life may have fresh ideas, knowledge, and outlooks to impart to today’s students. New approaches and life experiences may help some students to be more enthusiastic about learning. As time passes, these alternative-trained teachers will learn the effective teaching techniques of the past as well as maybe implement some new effective ideas of their own.
I find myself turning to a more functionalist perspective in an attempt to define education. Education has changed over time and region and generally reflects and serves the needs of the community. This includes all aspects of educating our students from learning the specific skills needed to function in the societies workplace to teaching and modeling appropriate behavior to support any given communities social norms and cohesiveness. This does not imply that teachers expectations are to only meet the specific skill requirements of the student but further implies the necessity to teach higher order thinking and a more differentiated approach to education to meet the needs of all students so that each may contribute to society within their potential.
ReplyDeleteEducation to me is a cycle of sharing knowledge. We are never too old, smart, or experienced to learn something new. We evolve through education and when we stop evolving we stop living.
ReplyDeleteMy definition of education is constatnly learning through experiences and formal/informal applications. My purpose as an educator is to bring out the best in a student and to instill in him/her a thirst for continued learning for the rest of his/her life.
ReplyDeleteIn a previous assignment, I had stated that education comes from the Latin word(s) "e ducare" ...meaning to 'draw out from within'. True education does just that. Having taught Aristotlean Philosophy I agree with Plato's assessment of Socrates: "to bring out from within what is already within", thus, the 'Socratic Method'. Most, if not all, of our students are quite astute, clever, and intelligent; it is a privilege to teach such young people!!
ReplyDeleteEducation to me is teaching someone to learn on their own. Education is not simply a person spoon-feeding you information; You must be inclined to seek answers for yourself. Learning is a life long process that comes easily to some, but may need to be nurtured in others. Education is a means to bring out the spark of curiosity.
ReplyDeleteEducation to me is teaching students things they should know or need to know at their grade level or higher. Maybe it sounds wierd but with the students I have, it seems that too many could care less about the lesson. Regardless they need to learn what is available to them and whats out there in the world happening all around us.
ReplyDeleteEducation is very complicated because I believe it is very closely to what is learned. Obviously, when presented the same material many students will be able to interpret it appropriately and utilize it while others will simply not understand it or disregard it. Education is an extremely personal thing because of this. Some individuals will be able accrue much usable information in school while many others gain much of their usable knowledge outside of a traditional classroom environment.
ReplyDeleteSo my definition of education is all that one has learned throughout his or her life experiences.
I believe that education is the process of imparting knowledge and life experiences. I also feel that there are many types of education. One can impart factual information which may or may not be vital to an individuals life. One can also impart information about common expectations of society and what is commonly accepted as necessary life skills. I feel that both types of knowledge are essential for a young person to receive.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with Socrates ideology that education seeks to bring out what is already inside an individual. I believe that CAN be the case, but I would not use that definition because we are not born with preset knowledge. Someone must originally instill that information in order for it to be drawn out. Bringing out a students potential is a side effect of teaching, not the focus. I seek to educate children and impart as much knowledge as I can. I do not pay attention to how much potential a student might have because I do not want to put a limit on what a student can learn.
I really liked one of the quotes by Ayn Rand because she hits on reality; "equipping him to deal with reality." As teachers, no matter our discipline or grade level, we're also teaching them life lessons, or how to use what we're teaching them and apply it in real life. "He has to be taught to think, to understand, to integrate, to prove." If students don't learn these important skills within the realm of "education", then life outside of school will be very hard. And finally she hits on what I think is the key in "education": "He has to be equipped to acquire further knowledge by his own effort." As we teach students all kinds of necessary skills to not only learn the material at hand and how to apply some of the things we've taught them in real life, I think our main goal in education should be that they learn above all else, how to be life learners. As I read some of the above comments, someone else hit on that as well, and I think that it is very important, because we truly are never to old to learn something new.
ReplyDeleteEducation is the empowering of individuals with skills and knowledge necessary to face effectively the challenges of our future and to become reflective, productive, and successful community-oriented members of society.
ReplyDeleteI believe the definition of education is knowing different ways to teach so you are not leaving out the students with ADHD and other forms of learning disabilities. My mother told me over 20 years ago the school system is set up to teach to about 80% of the students. The other 20% are sort of left out. I believe in order to effectively educate you have to make sure you are getting through to 100% of your students.
ReplyDeleteMy definition of education begins with the process of learning for myself through experience and doing and also in the more formal, organized ways, such as in a classroom setting then taking this information and being able to teach it to others using whatever means might work.
ReplyDeleteEducation to me means helping people understand what they didnt before. Somtimes the student is the teacher in some cases. Taking information and breaking it down in a way that anyone can retain and appreciate what your trying to do as a individual. Education is universal and i feel if someone remembers one thing that you tought them in thier life time and it helps them mold who they are in thier life youve done your job.
ReplyDeleteEducation is process of opening somones eyes to the truths and patterns of their everyday lives.
ReplyDeleteEducation is an on-going experience. As we teachers we learn just as much as the children do. We are both learners, whether it be about each other, our cultures, or the ever-evolving seed of education. It is impossible that we feel we have enough knowledge or know how to stop learning how to teach.
ReplyDeleteEducation to me is a learning process and you never stop learning.
ReplyDeleteEducation is a process of teaching a person to think and problem solve. Teachers should teach skills but its more important that they show how to apply those skills to everything the student does. Having skills is important but being able to use them to solve problems is a greater asset. Education is more than just the subjects taught. It is how we shape a society.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of education, I think of learning, teaching, and knowledge, which I believe, are all intertwined together.
ReplyDeleteEducation is not the traditional "I speak, you learn" definition or thought I grew up with. Rather it is the enlightening of a person's mind. The ability to stimulate creativity. Educating is the art of shaping or molding, without hands, a person's way of thinking. It is the building of character, the building up of a person's mentality formidable enough receive comments, or opinions from peers, and be able to state their own thoughts and opinions for a counterattack.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of education I think of a gift. A gift that only you can give to yourself through determination and self confidence. This is the one thing in the world that will be yours and only yours. Some thing that no one will be able to take away from you. Only you as an indvidual know how hard it is to get your education and all the blood, sweat, and tears (literally) that are put into your education. Education is power!!
ReplyDeleteEducation is the art of explaining a thought, fact, or piece of knowledge in a way that inspires a person to understand it, remember it, be able to explain it, use it to solve problems so that the knowledge becomes an asset, and finally to inquire or observe for more knowledge on the subject.
ReplyDeleteDefinition of education in my own words: teaching the knowledge and skills about a topic and carrying out the ability to perform what was learned.
ReplyDeleteEducation is the art of teaching others the necessary skills to succeed in life. It is knowledge being transfered to individual to individual through the use of books, experiences, examples, media, activities, etc.
ReplyDeleteMy meaning of education is simple it is the teaching and imparting of informationn necessary to give students the basics necessary to succeed in whatever they choose to do in life...If they want to be janitors then I shope to instill whatever is necessary to be the best janitor. If they want to be scientists at the CDC then again I hope to instill in them whatever basics are necessary to make it to their goal. If they are part of a special ed program then what I hope they take are skills necessary to make it on their own when they graduate.
ReplyDelete"Practice doesn't make perfect, a perfect practice makes perfect" is the key statement, and I fully agree, and like it.
ReplyDeleteI also liked the underlined difference between a good lesson plan and good strategies to do one and a "mental map", applied by some teachers.
A highly structured and good lesson plan to follow is the way to more success in teaching, if followed and applied properly.
A personal planning can and should become a signature and a characteristic of a good teacher. Practicing to work out a perfect plan is the best routinne for every teacher.
J. Kucera
"Education" is the process of acquiring knowledge and skills in many different ways. For example, attending school, college, reading materials, visuals, etc. are ways one acquires knowledge in the area of interest. Today some of us have family members who went to school for a short time period. For example, a brother who attended school until the age of 14 years old. He has the knowledge and skills of a 14 year old or less. However, the brother acquired educating himself in the oilfield. Education is the process of learning knowledge and skills and implementing what is learned in their daily lives.
ReplyDeleteEducation can be and should be one of the greatest gifts handed down from one individual to another. It is acquired through knowledge and skills, obtained from solid teachings, experience, and hard work.
ReplyDeleteWhen education is used to uplift an individual, young or old, it also uplifts a community, even a nation. But one must consider the ill effects of an education. "...When they are learned, they think they are wise..." Taks-Alt assessments come to mind!
My definition: Motivation is what finds me delightfully fighting for something I want or something I need. I can be extremely motivated when there is a certainty that the outcome will be exactly (or pretty close to) what I had hoped for— a wish come true. I also believe that motivation generates energy, and that this energy is what drives our efforts to reach, to gain, to learn, or to do anything.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt in my mind that motivation and success are intimately connected. No sense in trying if nothing comes of it. The trick is to find the right carrot to hang at the end of the stick.
My Teacher Attitude: To teach my students successfully, I truly believe that a sense of mutual trust must exist. Since I have never worked with these young adults, ever, I need to connect with each one of them. I sense that we will be better served if we can develop a sense of wanting to work together. (I am here to teach and you are here to learn. I care about you, and you trust that I care about you.) It really works. Spending time with each student individually has done the trick. Everyone is happy to come to school every day, and though we work very hard, there is a sense of team effort. We all win. We all play. We all succeed. We trust each other.
Oops! I just realized that I forgot to change to Post #4 before posting, so both my #3 and #4 are posted here...(though they are in reality Post #4 and #5)...Do you have days like mine? Bummer!
ReplyDeleteMy definition of education is relaying valuable information, experiencing, and retaining the information. In order to educate I believe the person must be willing to learn and be open-minded. Usually when a child is not willing to learn, then they do not gain knowledge of the skills being taught. Like the article says there is a wide variety of definitions of education and depending on who you ask you will get different answers. I'm not sure that my definition is even as thorough as some others but that is my definition in a nut shell.
ReplyDeleteEducate comes from the Latin word E-ducere to "lead out." I feel that as an educator it is my job to lead students in the right direction. It is my job to teach my students the basic building blocks in order to be sucessful. Learning is a two way street in my classroom. My students learn from me and I learn from them. I don't think the learning process ever ends. We are planting seeds in students minds. We may not always see the results right away but their "purpose and functions" are endless.
ReplyDeleteEducation is priceless and contributes to one's character. As a teacher with all types of students each year it is important to master the art of reaching them all. There are some that are faced with more challenges than others but if they take nothing more from you than how to be a model citizen, appreciate the value of education, and learn to have the drive to continue their education then you have still given them something they will take forever.
ReplyDeleteMy definition of education is a challenge both intellectually and physically. Education is the ability to overcome obstacles. Although, I have only been in the classroom for a short amount of time. I welcome all the challenges it has presented especially since I learn as I go, and I learn from my mistakes. I do not think that I have ever felt so sure of a career choice and enjoyed a choice so much. In conclusion, education is amazing and having the ability to educate others is a wonderful feeling.
ReplyDeleteEducation is the art or process of teaching or guiding someone to the knowledge of a specific subject.
ReplyDeleteEducation is opening students mind. Have them discover the knowledge that they can hold. When students learn through experiences they will acquire the essentials of learning. Education can never be taken from you.
ReplyDeleteThe last paragraph kind of "got me", when it states that NASA did not go to the moon by rebuilding the chasis of a model T. I think as educators our job is to give students the building blocks to build the car. That, coupled with their own imagination and drive will lead them to turn a model T into a space ship.
ReplyDeletePoint being....
education - the process of teaching students the foundations on which they may grow, no matter the age. ex. 5 yr old kindergarden student learning to read, 30 yr old acp student learning to teach. Teach me the building blocks that will allow me to best communicate my subject matter to the students.
My definition of education combines a few of the ideas from the article. I believe that certain information must be internalized by students and certain skills (as in the case of math) need to be developed, and the job of the educator is to facilitate these processes. But there must also be an element of teaching "how to think" (ie. use of logic and supporting ideas).
ReplyDeleteEducation to me is giving our students the tools they need to function in life. We want to prepare them to do things on thier own and come up with thier own answers. Since working in the school I feel that success is different for each student, but in the end it is what we taught them. We are the ones that prepare them for reality.
ReplyDeleteEducation to me is the process of learning what has already been tested or proven as fact. The acquisition of knowledge. Education can also be learning from past experiences.
ReplyDeleteTo me, education is the empowering of students (or anyone for that matter)
ReplyDeletewith the knowledge and skills that will enable them to to function in real world situations.
Education is about teaching people to grasp the knowledge necessary to succeed. Basically,turning all of your students into life learners and having them be able to realize that they are. We should be striving to teach people how to learn, how to extract, how to apply all of the knowledge they need for life. That's what I believe education is.
ReplyDeleteEducation is not only teaching them math and reading but teaching ways to succeed in life. Education is teaching them social, problem solving, and day to day skills they will need everyday. STudents dont just get an education in a classroom 8 hours a day 5 days a week. They are learning everyday in their homes, on the street, at a store. That is what I believe education is.
ReplyDeleteEducation is about teaching, learning, and understanding. Teachers can "teach" all they want, but to "educate" means to clearly get through to the studetns so that they understand and have develop the new skills.
ReplyDeleteI am a science teacher and part of my responsibility as a science teacher is to teach them science according to the TEKS. But as an educator, it is my responsibility to connect those concepts to their life and how it is important to them. I try to find connections with their world to make science more meaningful and fun.
ReplyDeleteTo define knowledge is to capture the essence of why mankind continues to explore, grow, find cures for what ails us, to care for humanity to explain the unknown and to reach out to the world and beyond for answers. Knowledge is to fulfill the curiousity that every human is born with. It is a God Inspired
ReplyDeleteprocess for our own minds to grow and fulfill our destiny. We are not complete unless we inspire and lead others to their destiny. Everyone has a right to knowledge as he or she wills.
It is my belief that education comes along with morals which are introduced at an early age at home. Education begins at home. It is our duty as educators to mold, shape and guide students into their own future without excluding ours. Education does not begin or end in the class room; it is a lifelong and never ending process. In my opinion, the best educators are those who impact a child’s life forever.
ReplyDeleteIn my on words wow! Being a good Educator takes practice and most of all a love for all the kids. Students learn in different levels and sometimes it's very hard but, a good teacher will fine any way to teach all students. Remember will only see them for 36 weeks.
ReplyDeleteEducation is the process of understanding concepts both abstract and concrete. Is the moral responsibility of a society to teach our youth ideas we have learned. This will allow for the cycle to continue and respect for all disciplines of knowledge and all the norms of a society.
ReplyDeleteThis article is pretty deep. I like this quote:
ReplyDelete“The central task of education is to implant a will and facility for learning; it should produce not learned but learning people."
When I start a science class I tell the kids that they will learn how to think, not just to lean science. I think this is the heart of what education is.. teach those how to learn on their own, how to think for themselves and find out new information without our help. We are just the facilitators of learning.
I agree with some of the commentators of this article that say equipping a student with the knowledge and teaching the student how to think and apply it in the classroom and in the real world is receiving an education. Education encompasses not only academic learning but also life skills to care for oneself personally. It's the combination of both academics and learning how to function in community, live life, take care of oneself, life skills that can define the word "education".
ReplyDeleteEducation is developing knowledge, skills, and character of students. I especially like the idea of developing the character of students. Nowadays kids can pretty much find out anything they want to know on the internet, but this will not affect the development of their character. Also, I think some teachers forget what a HUGE influence we can have on each and every one of our students just by teaching them to be good and genuine people. Now, this is not something we teach them through spending a whole week devoting a lesson to character; this is something we teach them by example; this comes from our day to day interactions with our students. I think investing into developing our students' character is the most important aspect of education.
ReplyDeleteEducation: To teach students and to allow them to interact with the material so that they are able to develop their own understanding, meaning and experiences.
ReplyDeleteMy definition is short & sweet: To help & encourage the learner to develop the knowledge & skills needed to fulfill lifes tasks.
ReplyDeleteTo me it seems like this person just got too deep into the definition. It’s like he gave the definition of education and then gave the definition of each word in his definition of education. It’s very meta if you ask me, and if you’d like, one could just keep going on and on and on with the definition of the definition of the definition of education. To me education means teaching someone how do something and help in giving them knowledge and insight in a given subject. Typically the student will apply what is learned to specific aspects of his/her future daily life.
ReplyDeleteI believe education is helping your students reach their maximum capabilities no matter what subject area you teach, and believing that they actually have the potential to reach them.
ReplyDelete