Emmitt Till's "MURDA"

I must first express my grief of such horrifying brutality. My sincere condolences go out to the family of Emmett Till. To act is such barbaric and ruthless manner is the evil of racism drenched with hatred, superiority and injustice. This is definitely an act of murder one that should have never been allowed to go unpunished. These are some of the issues that lead to prejudice and rivals or revenge and genocide. If I have not been introduced to the issues of diversity, prejudice and racism I am sure I wouldn’t be able to handle this pain I am feeling right now. I pray that this case does not repeat itself and definitely not in the fashion it was handled in the court. With sufficient evidence the court still ruled the murderers not guilty? White supremacy and Injustice the sole act of inferiority. How did the U.S ever arrive at the present justice system?

Many might have said why did they even attempted to take this case to court when they knew they had no chance of winning but even though it was unjustly dealt with it has open many doors that encouraged African Americans to stand for what is right. Many believed that this is what really sparked the civil rights movement. But something had to. I am happy we are able to move from such intense issue to being more civilize and the effort that is now been placed on acceptance and tolerance.

Reflection #16 EDF2085

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #16 EDF2085
Genocide and ethnic cleansing.

The term genocide refers to the planned or systematic process of the execution or killing of an entire group, whether it is an ethnic, religious or political group. While on the other hand ethnic cleansing refers to an intentional effort made to force or intimidate a group to evacuate a particular region. An example of this can be seen in Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur which will elaborate on later in the reflection. Ethnic cleansing and genocide should not be used interchangeably because they are not the same.

The act of genocide and ethnic cleansing occurred in Rwanda in 1994 as a result of revenge taken by one ethnic group on another. Rwanda comprised of two main groups the Hutu and the Tutsis. The Hutu’s been the majority but was dominated by the Tutsis who were the aristocrats at the time under the leadership of Belgian colonial rule; they exploited to Hutus and took their peasants which had lead to the chaos of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Rwanda. After the independence from Belgium, a quest for revenge was employed by the Hutu who regain power and returned the acts of injustice on the Tutsis. This has lead to numerous killings resulting in almost a million people.

The act of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia was also as a result of revenge where one group performs acts of violence on the other after their government was put out of power. This rival in Bosnia was influence by particular leader fanning the flame of long past problems which illuminates new chaos and acts of violence between the Serbs and Muslims. Serbs who were the minority, reports that they were mistreated by the Muslims who were the majority. In times to come Serbs and Jews were targeted and thousands were killed in concentration camps. This rival later ends up with Serbs killing thousands of their opponents which marks a mass genocidal act. Darfur on the other hand was also as a result revenge and this chaos resulted in mass murders that caught the attention of the international eyes. Many were also killed and this was a combination of both ethnic cleansing and genocide.

Reflection #19 EDF1005

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #19 EDF1005 From Dame schools to Public High Schools

Dame Schools exist in the medieval times of education. These schools were private elementary type schools that were run by women often of no substantial educational back ground. The focal point of these schools was to function as a daycare center. However the teaching and learning process was centered on learning how to spell and a negligible amount learned mathematics and grammar. Dame Schools became extinct in Britain due to the introduction of compulsory education which requires specific standards to be met.

Like most medieval society, formal education was structured for men and the women’s place was in the home. Even then, Americans valued education and hence the influence of the law passed in Massachusetts Bay that all communities with fifty or more families will have to hire a teacher. However schools remain private with great emphasis on literacy. It is important to know that at one point the U.S had one of the highest literacy rates at the time. While education was booming in the 1800’s some African American was afforded to opportunity to be educated while their counter parts in the southern states were deprived of an education due to the fact that enslaved blacks were prohibited to literacy.

By the end of the 1800’s teachers received some type of formal education to meet the requirements of normal schools which were elementary schools. It was not until after the American Civil War that the south offered universal public education. Then by the late 1870 free elementary education was established. Even though this was seen as a great stride for education the issue of segregation arises in all schools and then later span over to all public facilities. As the need for education arises, local schools received tax dollars and this was extended to parochial schools as well. Parochial schools were Christian school that taught both Christian principles and the regular curriculum. Over the years many controversies and concerns influences officials to limit or prohibit founding of Christian schools. This was due to the fact that some thought they were potential avenues for social segregation.

By the twenty first century education was seen as a major route to greater economic development. This new emphasis paved the way for the education of youths in the twenty first century, and set the nation significantly apart from its counterpart. It is said that this achievement was due to the diversity of newly introduced concepts such as openness, public founding, separation of state and church just to name a few. I highly appreciate these strides and openly welcome the ongoing process of educational development.

Reflection #15 EDF2085 Holocaust

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #15 EDF2085 Holocaust

There are many denial regarding the holocaust, regardless of the countless evidence that have been forthcoming. There are still many who today say that the holocausts never happen. Do I believe that this barbaric act took place? Yes I do. Even today there a lot of people who have not heard of the incident. Holocaust is generally defined as the genocide of the Jewish group. In addition to this race, there are also other groups who were destroyed; these include people with disabilities, Jehovah Witness and other religious groups. This ruthless act was lead by Adolf Hitler and his army. These innocent people were taken from their homes and community under false pretence I assume and was lead down a rather destructive path. They were lead into slavery and was literal starved and beaten to death. They faced a rather harsh living condition; they were isolated and treated as animal. What would lead one person to commit such devious act? It is as a result of prejudice, discrimination and the greed for power and superiority.

This might have seems to happen many years ago, and many thought that this might not happen ever again in history. But one have to be careful of turning a blind eye to such devilish acts. In our society today, it often seems that the pursuit for individualism is on the rise. Every one is about protecting their own. Everyone has become so materialistic and completion is rather a valued and cherished way of getting ahead. This can be one way in which a genocidal act might repeat itself. The claim to make a perfect society has lead to an unlawful act of genocide. However Hitters act was a act of hatred for Jews and he did stated that as soon as he was in power he would exterminate all Jews. By the 1933, Jews were restricted of their social rights, they also passed law to eliminated Jews from official offices. Jews were not allowed to go to school, own farms or work in any offices of the country. My question to this is, why didn’t someone attempted to do something about this at the time?

Reflection #18 EDF1005 Education as a vehicle to improve society.

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #18 EDF1005 Education as a vehicle to improve society.

We have emerged from a rather uncivilized world to one with much sophistication and advance technologies. We have moved from using stones as knives, and beans and scrolls as source of record keeping to the use of the latest technology gadgets. These are just a few examples of how far education has moved our further from the past to the present. Education is definitely a vehicle to improving society. Education is the foundation of all society; it influences economic wealth, social privileges and stabilizes the nation politically. It is through education that people have been able to emancipate themselves from mental slavery to a much independent determination for reaching the bench mark of success. One can evidently see the contrasts between a country that is empowered by education and one that is lead by illiteracy. If it had not been for education there would still be the lack of advances in our health care system, security system and many other areas such as transportation and communication.

Most surely education has brought much destruction to the environment, leading to the so-called global warming, overpopulation and pollutions. Regardless of these disadvantages, education has more positive than negatives. When we look at how far prejudice and racism have come today we can raise our hats to the fact that education has been one of the most significant agent of helping to eradicate an enormous amount of these cherished attitudes. A better education also means a better job and a better job means sustainability for a group or family. Education raises social standards and this means less crime and violence and more coherence living. It is through education that many inventions and advances have come alive. It is through education that we are able to have an educated body of people who over sees and make educated decision on behalf of our people and country. Education also involves the transition of knowledge to practical use. It occurs from birth to adulthood and continues throughout life. Education can be learned directly and indirectly, regardless of how education has been acquired it is for the improvement of the individual and the society.

Reflection #17 EDF1005 Education in New England and the United States.

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #17 EDF1005 Education in New England and the United States.

Education in America is as a result of many influential societies. Most or all of the legacy that impacted the American way of life are as a result of migration and the tendency to excel through progressivism. America has experienced an influx of diversity over the years which have also helped to influence it’s education system. Without no doubt one can say that regardless of America’s success today much of I is owed to its immigrants. In earlier years due to economic hardship and the desperate need to escape persecution many people migrated to America. This was the start of revolution in a scene. The Puritans, who migrated from England due to religious persecutions, have significantly helped to shape America into what it is today. These were a people with strong Christian beliefs and moral values. They believed that a strong relationship with God was important and that everything they do should be in accordance with his will.

It is these beliefs that America’s foundations were built on. Their politics, education and religion have been greatly influenced as a result. Jan Amos Comenius who is of European descend had his hand in the reformation of education and was the first to put pictures in textbooks. He later influence science by encouraging European scientist to record their knowledge and goals which later became the encyclopedia, also known as the encyclopedia of education. This was done because he wanted knowledge to be universal. He also gave women a voice by advocating for their freedom to be educated.

American education now compared to colonial New England differ in that, back then education in England was religious based and the poor were able to go to school through a system called the Free School. Now in America school has moved away from been religious based and are now more inclined to acceptance and tolerance. Students were expected to attended school until they were fourteen, at first school were not mandatory in America but as time went by and the need for a more educated society increase school became mandatory. Teacher training now is rather rigorous and the need for various testing was introduced. Discrimination is still present whether it is subtle or not seen, however they have come a long way and is still working to improve these issues.

Reflection #14 EDF2085 Prejudice

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #14 EDF2085 Prejudice

It is scary to say I grew up rather absent minded and was subject just to taking orders and not questioning what was said to be done. If I was asked in earlier years if I was prejudice my answer then would be no. This would be a rather naïve answer after becoming aware that we as humans, are in some way shape or form has some prejudice down inside of us. Prejudice goes way beyond the color of our skin and our social class. It entails such elements as denying another, hating, despising, avoidance, stereotyping and the experience of some discomfort. This internal conflict that causes us to develop these stigmas may be referred to as prejudice. May of these barriers is installed when we were growing up as children. We were taught basic values and attitudes by our parents, who in addition to this, teaches us the basic norms of the culture whether directly or indirectly. We were thought many myth of which is perceived to be fact and in return these believes grew with us and is later projected onto any element that is viewed differently from that which we hold as truth. Some of what or most of what we learn as facts were not investigated or challenged, and hence when confronted with facts we go in stage of denial.

Prejudice is often caused by a group or sub-group attempting to protect their own. It is often an unintended and unconscious response that was never intended to hurt anyone but to protect what they think is right and acceptable. On the other hand however simple this may seem, prejudice is rather a complex mater. It takes hard work and persistence to eradicate the impulses of prejudice. This process is encountered with the resistance to accept truth, and the deep rooted beliefs of what we once thought to be true. In the society that we are living in today, is the existence of many prejudice however with the effort to reduce these problem we are like to face less prejudicial issue. The results of prejudice can and have been very ruthless in earlier times; this is still a major problem among most groups and even countries today. It is recommended that each individual re-evaluate themselves and make a conscious effort to reduce whatever prejudice we may hold as our prized treasure.

Reflection #16 Rhetoric

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #16 Rhetoric

The interest of education emerged as the center of attraction was the excitement of learning Greek. The ability to speak Greek was the essence of showing off. Education was bilingual then and learning took place abstractly and through enunciation. Rhetoric is rather the use of the art of language to persuade a listener. The Romans adapted the rhetorician tradition from the Greeks and hence centered their education on such. It is a process that follow such techniques of debate where a statement is proposes after which a series of persuasive argument proceed. Rhetoric was almost like a fashion or a fancy play on words which would often seems misleading and or viewed as fable.

Rhetoric was imported from Greece and was used to give style and sophistication to the spoken and written language. Adults became rather fascinated with rhetoric which later became declamation. This popularity dominated schools and transformed the written word. Though popular and seemingly intellectual, rhetoric was rejected by Plato and Socrates as been unintellectual and without substance. Contrary to the remonstrates of Socrates and Plato, some sophist such as Isocrates encourage rhetoric and believe that it hold a rather emancipated and civilizing effects.

After passing through the Greeks to the Romans and then taken over by the Christian era, rhetoric became diluted and rather famished. The Christians however embrace the use of rhetoric not in the Dionysus form but rather in a less secular way to bring across the written work in a more persuasive fashion. After been deprived of its real use, rhetoric became alive once more through the appreciation and use of metaphor in the twentieth century. This is now know as the new rhetoric. Rhetoric in education aided the use of language, the play on words were were of great importance but when used correctly can be viewed as an intellectual way of presenting information. High officials such as layers and government personnel became a living testimony of the use of rhetoric. Students were taught how to deliver well written speech with more emphasis on enunciation. When used correctly, rhetoric argument can lead to greater truth. It is a useful tool today for lawyers and many public speakers.

Reflection #15 EDF1005 Athens and Rome

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #15 EDF1005 Athens and Rome

The difference between ancient Athenians Education and Roman Education
The crave for education in ancient Rome had lead to many advances and prestige. Their press for education has shaped many of our civilization, giving much bearings on education and politics. The fashion of their learning took place in a sophisticated abstract manner; which have fused many controversies and caused many paradigm shifts. Empires were in control of schools and the state showed great interest in education which had a significant impact on the society. However education was not an affordable commodity for the poor and there was no tax supported schools back then. Only the rich were able to attend. Never the less the poor were literate. Learning in Rome was an intense process, students learn in fear of getting whipped if they weren’t learning.

In Rome there were two main types of schools, one almost like what we call the elementary school, students attend at age eleven and learned to read write and do basis math. The next is an advance school that would teach speech communication and how to write. These schools were attended by only boys as the girls stayed home and learn home management. Contrary to this, girls who’s families are rich had a chance to be educated, this was done in the home and the basis of the content was the effective running of the kitchen and how to be a good wife.

Unlike Rome, education in Athens was more of a free for all. In earlier years almost anyone could afford the luxury of attending school. It was not until the more advance stages in education that calls for a more formal training that education became expensive due to the cost of books. The emphasis of education in ancient Athens was placed on areas of the arts. Citizens were trained to be effective in peace and war. Boys were not required to train in areas of military but was given the opportunity to venture into what their fathers thought was best. Boys attended school at about age six and the main focus was on gymnastics, learning to do dance moves and play games. The older boys were more into the advance games such as boxing, and wrestling. They also learned to reading and mathematics. Most of their learning was done through a process of memorization. Because formal education required the use of expensive books the poorer boys had to proceed to apprenticeship. It is through the formal school system that Plato, Aristotle and Isocrates taught.

Reflection #13 Understanding the self

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #13 Understanding the self

Understanding the self is a very complex process that many individual may never take the time out of their busy schedule to address. It calls for an honest judgment of who we really are and the maturity to accept who we are not. It is rather common for individual to wish they were someone else or to wish they were more beautiful of more athletically build. But, whatever the reason is most people allow their deficiency or lack to dictate what or who they become in life. Our self-concept and self-esteem is rather dependent on how we were socialized, this can very much shape who we become. Whether we accept it or not much of these attributes are as a result of culture, the way we were socialized by our families and the impact of our social environment. Though simple this may seems, as difficult as change is, so is it a difficult process to reinvent our-selves. But as we interact with our environment and with the aid of higher education, one’s perception may encounter a series of paradigm shifts, which may eventually leads to our transformation hopefully.

There are many ways through which we present ourselves to the public. Some of which are how we want the public to perceived us, how we are expected to be perceived and how we perceive ourselves. After reading this article I am encourage to reflect on my own life, something I often figured I need to do but for some reason I am afraid do so. It may be because I don’t want to go through the healing or fear is getting the better of me. At some point in our life it is important to ask and answer such questions as to who we are, where are we going and how are we going to get there. It is important to find who we are. Life can seems meaningless without the understanding of who we are and where we are going. As teachers in training, understanding who we are is rather an asset and one of the initial stages we should encounter in the process of becoming a teacher.

Reflection #14 EDF1005 Aristotle on Being

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #14 EDF1005 Aristotle on Being

Aristotle was concerned about the nature of living where he further organized organism in their respective types from life to lifeless. However he concluded that the human is significant among all the other beings due to the fact that they are able to reason. This organization of life to lifeless is what he calls the chain of being. He arrange these from the smallest to the largest starting with the worm and ends with the human. He concluded that the universe was perfect as well as his gain if being. In my opinion he was stamping out evolution in a sense when he says that the chain had no empty link and so it is impossible for a specie to be represented more than once. This way of thinking was spread thought out the western region until people moved away from this thinking to of evolution. However many still believes in Aristotle theory of being, which gave rise to the concept of creation. As I mention creation the thought of God came to me that Aristotle description of God seem to be the Supreme Being the Christian recognize. This God he says does not change, and that this God is all knowing. Aristotle’s theory did cause controversies and lead to few misunderstanding. However his work is still being used in some part of biology, schools and Christianity.

Aristotle also explored the realm of cause and hence developed four causes. When he speaks of cause he is not speaking of that which we refer to as cause and effect but to the purpose of a thing or the cause of a substance. So Aristotle’s four cause starts with the material cause this is the substance of what a thing is made of. Then there is the formal cause which is what the thing is suppose to be. Then there is the efficient cause what it is made to do and the fourth cause is the final cause which is the reason it was made for. He basically aim to explain the cause of thing and why they were formed and out of what they were formed.

Reflection #13 EDF1005

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #13 EDF1005 Plato’s Ideas and its impact on Western Education

Plato a student of Socrates went on a mission not only to continue his master’s work but also to establish his ideas as well. The influence Plato had on western education came about through his inspiration for challenging materialistic convention hence developing idealism. Idealism is a theory that’s based on absolute truth and not materialism (little effort is placed on ethical or spiritual matter but greatly indulge in wealth and material possession). The influence on education is that emphasis should be place on the development of character, personal discipline and the mind. As a result the person should be of good moral standing and literate. Plato encourages depth of learning an approach that takes in consideration teaching the whole instead of its parts.

Like Socrates, Plato believes that the best way for learning to takes place is through a dialectic approach where ideas are debated in order to come up with a conclusion of the truth. Hence the role of teachers should be a skillful questioner and a model for the person we want children to become. The true role of the teacher is to help students comprehend ideas of information conveyed to them. Plato idea is that while teachers are not always present when learning is taking place they should aim at simulating the learner so learning will take place anyway. Plato also believed that we were born ignorant and those who overcame this ignorance has a responsibility to help the others to become enlightened. Therefore in the western society educators responsibility was to raise self awareness and to help the ignorant to attain knowledge.

Not only did Plato left his mark on real learning, he also played a significant role in his work of form. Plato speaks of the abstract entity and the immortal soul. He continues to say that the soul is immortal and that it exists before we were born. Hence he says that all that we know is a recollection of what we already knew before we were born. Plato impacted education by the influence of thinking abstractly, for the search of a grater truth not subjected to human experience but to the immortal form.

Reflection #12 EDF2085

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #12 EDF2085

The founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud attempted to explain the forces behind what we do and the reason why we do them. In his quest he came up with what he calls the two main drives that inspire all our thoughts, emotion and behavior. These are the sex and aggression with the more formal term added to them Eros and Thanatos in other words life and death. According to Freud sex signify the means by which we preserve our blood line and aggression is a means by protecting or fighting off harm as a means of surviving. These he continues is not merely the sexual act and the act of aggression but under one heading is the force that push us to survive, procreate and prevent others from harming or elimination their existence. Am I driven to get a college degree because I want to be attracted to the opposite sex? I don’t think so. But according to Freud we do this for the purpose of attracting the opposite sex hence the drive behind this is a sex drive.

Even though there are some controversies towards Freud’s theory of psychosexual development most of his concept have been proven to be true. Like the Id stage were the child is inconsiderate to other and more concern with wanting what it needs now. This really describes that early stage and the fact that everything is about the pleasure of the mouth. I can remember with my daughter, during that stage she was more concerned with putting stuff into her mouth. If she needed food she would cry and not only that everything that comes her way she would put in her mouth. This Freud relate to as the oral stage, where the child finds gratification in satisfying the mouth.

According to Freud, the sexual pleasure drive on the individual psyche determines their personality. He continues to say that these are as a result of a certain body part, these are the mouth referred to as the erogenous zones, the anus and the genital area. These three stages seem to proceed in stages, as one stage has to be solved in order to progress to the next stage. These stages also determine and individuals personality. Most of Freud’s theory sound a little of but seems logical in a sense. I believe it’s a structural way to analyze personality.

Reflection #11 EDF 2085

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #11 EDF 2085
Values, Beliefs and Attitude

Beliefs are about what we think reality is. It is the basis of what directs our life. Whether we have a good or bad life depends on our belief. It is this belief that help to shape our values and attitudes. Beliefs develop as a result of a culture utamawazo which directly affect the initial stage or process by which a person develop their thoughts and behavior depending on their culture and socialization. This belief does not have to be necessarily true or morally correct, and may never change if a person refuses to question his or her belief as to whether what they were taught has any truth to it. But as we interact with the world where different types of thoughts and behaviors are exchange, our beliefs are often subject to change. But what really influences these changes? Do we readily accept new ideas as they come along? It is important as a teacher to recognize that a belief can either be negative or positive. A teacher has to be mindful not to project his/her decision or perception on another without validating or taking in consideration others and their belief. As a teacher it is important to have an open mind in order to be able to accept and tolerate different ideas and thoughts and in the process adjust if needs be.

Another important aspect of the reading that caught my attention is the fact that our values are dependent on our belief. In other words how I deal with stress, decisions and my attitude towards others are directly dependent on my beliefs. This is so important because one will tend to fall into prejudice without being aware or on the other hand knowingly engage in bias. Does one have control over what they have come to believe? I think only after interacting and allowing the self to be transformed. As a teacher it is important to be able to go through a process of transformation, as what you think can impact the students in the classroom. I have learnt that it is important as a teacher to evaluate our beliefs from time to time because what we think will limit our success in the classroom. In other words my beliefs will put my values and attitude at stake.

Reflection #10 Teaching for inclusion

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #10 Teaching for inclusion

As we interact with the teaching and learning environment there are an enormous amount of issues to be conscious of as it relates to multiculturalism. In the classroom teachers has to be aware of the vast number of difference he/she will be faced with each day. As a result I encourage all teachers to get familiar with different cultures and strategies in teaching these students. It is important that teachers take in consideration the fact that in a diverse classroom instruction should be geared at accommodating each student. This includes but is not limited to Assessments, Classroom activities and discussion, Grading scheme and writing guidelines.

While I am not against inclusion I am particularly interested in the strategies of dealing with the reality in the classroom. When I first heard the term inclusion the thought came to my mind, “oh my God can I do this?” I knew there are positive outcome or I have heard of positive outcomes for students in inclusion classes, but to what extend will teachers be able to cope. Then when I saw the heading strategies for inclusion, I gained some hope. Teaching for diversity means teaching to the individual. A good way in learning this is to take inconsideration each learners learning style. It is vital to remember that each individual is unique and that they all bring with them different personalities and background experiences.

When working with diversity, it is easy to be misunderstood which leads to someone been offended. Never assume that a person needs extra help unless they ask for it. Be cautious as to the extent of humor and make sure to guide controversial discussions. When planning classroom instructions, be sure to create a lesson that will encourage interactions among groups as a way to limit segregation in the class. As a teacher of the twenty first century, I am required to be open minded. As I read and learn about the different culture and the differences among individuals, my thought process toward these issues are changing. I will not be reluctant in remembering that change is a difficult process and no one really wants to step out of their comfort zone and make adjustment. However, how hard this may seem it would be a good investment for teachers in training.

Reflection #9 EDF2085

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #9 EDF2085
Awareness and Consciousness

As I read this week’s reading I became particularly interested in what each writer has to say about the subject, Awareness. The reading gave a wide variety of definitions for the terms Awareness and Consciousness which is either based on perception or experience of an individual. The article also aim at making clear the scientific aspects of one writer’s experience ( Metta Zetty ) who had a dream and then suddenly came to the conclusion that she had a pure transformation even after she became conscious the next day. Based on the enormity of the definitions given for the term I am convince of the complexity of the subject. However I must agree with Metta Zetty who define awareness as, and I paraphrase, Awareness is the scaffold by which all consciousness and experience emerged. It is the essence of existence. It remains constant even when the faculties of the mind are engulfed with its various activities.

Awareness in my opinion could mean fear, and on the other hand it could mean strength. When one became aware of a factor it also mean that you are conscious of it as well. For example, if there was a gossip floating around about a particular course in college, everyone is saying how hard it is to pass that class, you in return may end up failing that class because of what you are now aware. However on the other hand this could be a point of strength in that you are aware that this course may be difficult and in turn study very hard to ensure that you pass. Even though this example is just a minute aspect of awareness to me it signifies the underlineing concept of been aware. Say there was no gossip then there might have been no fear of passing the course or it might have took you by surprise.

My knowledge on physics is very limited, which might lead me to question many things, however I do appreciate its sophistication in explaining the complexity of a substance and what it entails and how they correlate. Based on what is said it seems to me that all forms are related and interdependent on another. The breath I exhaled today might be inhaled by another tomorrow, in some other part of the world? Interesting! Then came consciousness which is referred to as just one of the levels of awareness. Consciousness gives clarity to the quality of the mind, it is mental. A good distinction is the state of being awake and asleep. Consciousness gives the choice of making informed decisions through been aware.
How can this information aid the potentials of the future teacher? It is through awareness and consciousness that we make good and unbiased decisions. As the future teachers of tomorrow situated in a multicultural society there is an enormous number of things we have to become aware and conscious of. It is through this basis that we are transformed.

Reflection #12 EDF1005

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #12 EDF1005
Sputnik effect on American Education

The Sputnik launch was one of fear and surprise for the American and significantly impacted their education system. The Sputnik was the first artificial satellites launch on October 4, 1954 that lead the American to feel vulnerable. This launch initiated a space race that eventually created space shuttles and the occupation of space station. It would seems though that the U.S had valid reason for not creating the first satellite as they were not about doing this as an hobby but for a more viable reason. However after sputnik was launched many took interest in the new development and financially supported education and satellite projects.

The launch of sputnik created a revolutionary education reform. The U.S found it self among the most powerful nation on earth after the World War-ll. They reconstructed global economy and rank education as important in further development. However after sputnik the nations school was reformed to meet new scientific and technological challenges. The national Defense Education Act (NDEA) was passed, and this was mainly to ensure security of the nation and to develop intellectual and technological skills of students both male and female. This lead to the funding and development of instruction, curriculum, teacher training programs and scholarships for college students. They encouraged subject areas that are important to the nation’s defense. These includes but not limited to subjects such as mathematics and the sciences, reading and technology.

The launching of sputnik affected U.S education because they were lacking adequate studies in fields such as the sciences. They always thought they were one step ahead but this took them by surprise. They felt rather vulnerable and fearful as this could create a defense controversy. It affected them because they were not prepared to handle the technological advances and found rather that their education system needed much improvement to meet such demand. It engages the U.S in the great space race with the Soviet Union each trying to accomplish the greatest or best creation in exploring space. It includes activities such as sending man to the moon, creating space satellites and exploring outer space. This created the increase in space technology for military and moral pursuit.

Reflection #11 EDF1005

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #11 EDF1005
Socrates impact on Western Education


How did Socrates ideas impact modern western education? As ancient as it might seems, the ideas of Socrates is a driving force that significantly impacted modern western education. His most significant contribution to western education might have been the elenchus method. This is a debate that produces a form of inquiry between individuals that hold opposing view that produce a form of questioning and answering in which to stimulate rational thinking and to shed light on new ideas. It is often that Socrates would bring no conclusion or positive advice but rather stirs up confusion. This however had its positive impact on the individuals as it would lead them to questioning and the search for greater knowledge. This genus started out with little or no knowledge of the subject but at the end ended up with a wealth of information. He was envied by many and as a result was put to death for violations. But even though he was put to death his influence lived on and might have given rise to many inventions and new information.
Various countries have developed a Socratic Method often independently but this method has now been adopted by many in our schools today. Teachers are now challenged to encourage critical thinking in the classrooms today. Taking into perspective the direct teaching instruction where teachers are the ones to produce, manage and give instruction and information. Do you think this method enhances learning to it’s maximum as do the constructivist instruction that is rather close to the Socratic Methods? In my opinion, no. When students are challenge to think, not only do they learn more but they develop a love for information and learning.
Socrates ideas encourages individuals to try new things and ideas that might have been made redundant because of set paradigms. It is an important method practice in the modern law schools. His ideas was not only important to education but also to human in general. He sheds light on happiness which he termed as moral excellence. He sets the stage as to what it truly mean to be happy. This I am in agreement with because no matter what material possession you have, it does not make you happy. It’s like the teaching profession, you are really happy when you know that you have done something virtuous, definitely not the salary. Even though there are many controversies Socrates had positive influence on education which is still dominant today.