Brain Project

For the brain project I am going to make a memory game. It will be like the children's game. In this version you will match the area of the brain to its function. You will flip the cards over until you find all the matches. This version is a little tougher than the original because it not only requires you to remember, but also requires you to know the functions of the brain. To make it a little easier for those who don't know the functions I will provide a little cheat sheet.

Social and Moral Development Case Study

1. From a social development standpoint, how might we might explain Laura's preoccupation with her appearance? In particular, consider this statement by Laura: "I don't want people to think I'm a geek!" Include information from Erikson's theory and social development in general in your response.

From Laura's statement and her preoccupation with her appearance it seems that she is in Erikson's stage of Identity v. Role Confusion. Laura isn't sure with herself or who she wants to be. We do know that she doesn't want to be considered a geek. She cares a lot about what others think about her. She seems to be lacking some self-worth. The fact that she is so worried about her appearance and how others view her lets me know this.

2. In suggesting that Laura join the debate class, Ms. Wakins is hoping to pique an interest in classroom subject matter by capitalizing on Laura's desire to be the center of attention. What two other strategies might the school use to motivate students who seem to more interested in social matters than in academic pursuits?

Another thing the school could do is get students interested in social matters on committees that plan the social events for the school, like dances and rallies. The school and teachers could also let the students have more of a say in what types of projects and assignments they do. This would also those social kids to choose things they are interested in. It would also be good to let them work on projects with groups.

3. From the perspective of Kohlberg's theory, in which stage of moral development is Laura? How might Mr. Marcalescu help Laura to advance her moral reasoning?

From the perspective of Kohlberg's theory, Laura is in the moral development stage of individualism and exchange. Laura knows that it is a school rule to be in class when the bell rings but she knowingly disobeys that rule. Laura believes that it is in her best interest to be late to class so that she can make sure she looks go and catch up on the gossip with her friends. She feels that this school policy is negotiable.

Mr. Marcalescu could help Laura advance her moral reasoning by giving her debate questions to discuss contain moral dilemmas. If he is able to give her situations to debate that are just one stage higher than where she is currently, then her moral development will increase.

4. In what ways might a debating class contribute to students' cognitive, linguistic, social and moral development?

A debating class could contribute to students' cognitive development because students are required to think about hypothetical situations a lot of times. This would help students reach Piaget's formal operational stage. It would also help cognitive development because as the students were engaging in the debate they would come to create an understanding of the world, like Vygotsky says. A debating class could contribute to linguistic development because students will need to know a lot of words, their meaning and how to use them properly in order to debate effectively. A debating class would help social development because students would develop self-esteem as they spoke in front of their peers and argued their opinion. It would help them pass the identity v. role confusion stage more successfully. A debating class could also contribute to moral development because in debating a lot of moral issues are discussed. This would help students pass through different stages of moral development.

Course Contract Review #2

What are you doing well?

I am doing well at preparing for exams. I spent a lot of time studying for this last exam and felt prepared when I went into take it. It was really nice to have a 3x5 card to take into the testing center but I did not really need it on the test. Making the card helped me to learn the information. Having it though did take the stress level down.

What are not doing well?

One thing I could do better at is doing my assignments a little earlier and not the night before they are due. Ideally it would be nice to get them done before the weekend. If I could do this I would not be as stressed and would also be able to do over my assignment again the night before to make sure I understood thre content.

Are you making sufficient progress on your goals?

I feel that I am making sufficient progress on my goals. I have a good understanding of the material we are covering in class and I feel that it is really sinking it. I like how the tests show us how the material is applied to teaching.

List specific things you need to change in order to meet your goals.

To better reach my goals I need to spend more time on my assignments and not just do them to get them done. I need to think more about what it is I am doing and study the material once I have completed it.

How is your motivation? Are you focusing on mastery or performance goals? Does anything need to change?

I am still feeling really motivated in this class and am really enjoying it. The class is challenging but because I can tell I am grasping the material and actually learning new information, I am motivated to do better. I love the feeling of understanding new things and that is happening a lot in this class. I am focused on mastery goals. I really want to learn this information to help me be a better teacher, not just to get a good grade.