Starting off at a college seven hundred miles away from home was terrifying for me. I had always strongly depended on people before August. However, this year I surprised myself more than I thought I would. I proved myself wrong on a lot of the doubts I had about myself. I discovered myself, which was something I had yet to do before now. Of course classes were difficult and it was difficult to adjust to being so far away, but I overcame challenges in ways I did not think I was capable of. I learned key lessons this year. I learned that I am stronger than I thought I was. It really took leaving home for me to recognize the strength I had inside of myself. When I could no longer run away or hide from my problems I had to face myself and solve them. College gave me the time to do that. Freshman year has shown me how capable of being independent I am. One of the most important things I learned is that I should only surround myself with those who lift me higher. There is no need to have people dragging me down, or giving me a negative mindset. Off of that, I realized I need to respect myself enough to walk away from anything that no longer lifts me up, grows me to be better, or makes me happy. This probably took the most time to comprehend for me. It’s always hard to walk away from something entirely. It is hard to recognize what does and does not help you in a healthy way. It is difficult to see past regular routines and obligations, but if they are dragging you down, you need to. I learned that I need to respect my own being enough to let myself thrive in a place I want to be and one where I am able explore my passions. This year I also did the unthinkable for me. I joined a sorority, Coming from the North, Greek Life is not a popular thing. However, I decided to put myself out there and give it a try. I could not be more happy with myself that I made that choice. I was able to try a new thing and meet so many new and great people because of it. This connects to another lesson I learned. It is okay that the friends I made on day one are no longer my friends. In college, I found people with similar interests, and some who were not who I thought they were. Thankfully, I did not let those people bring me down. I discovered that friends coming and going is normal and I should not be offended or take it personally. I am going to meet so many people over these four years and chances are they are going to change, but I can only assume it is for the best. Freshman year of college has been the fresh air I have been desperately searching for. I have learned lessons here that I never thought I was capable of accepting, and I am so thankful for what this school and year have given me.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Thursday, April 7, 2016
The Waldorf School
At The Waldorf School in Los Altos California, they run their classrooms very different than most schools in today’s day. The teachers at this school solely base their teaching philosophy on physical activity and hands-on learning. This means, that no students at The Waldorf School, have ever learned from any method of technology. The article by Matt Richtel states that this method of teaching and learning is one hundred years old, however to me that does not justify the method as “good”. In today's day, the technological changes and changes to society should be what establishes time. I understand the attempt the school is making to lesson the role of technology in children’s lives, but it seems too extreme to me.
As an aspiring teacher, I want students to have balance. I do strongly agree with The Waldorf School in that children brought up in this day, rely too much on technology way too early. My Mom teaches a pre-pre-school, and some of her four year olds have ipads or cell phones. That is terrifying to me. Students need to learn with hands on tactics, and experiments or team work. These are essential, not only to successful learning, but to developing life skills. Without working on small group projects at the elementary age, kids are more likely to lack the team-working and communication skills needed to succeed as adults. Kids feel accomplished when they complete a project they worked so hard on building and gluing together. However, the technology in schools is slowly taking that ability away from them.
On the contrary, I do believe students need some technology. I do not agree with the approach The Waldorf School is taking. In today’s world, a basic foundation of technology is vital for survival. There needs to be a safe balance between hands on learning, and learning through a computer. For the elementary level, such as The Waldorf School, I think it is acceptable to have one hour of technology two or three times a week. I had something similar to that when I was in school and it made me well rounded. Going too far one way or the other is dangerous. Too much technology in classrooms, or not enough, could be risky for the future generations. We do not want children brought up as robots glued to their screens, but we cannot deny the changing society.
The Waldorf School is sweeping change under the rug. The students who attend there will be behind kids their own age when they leave, and that could cause issues for them as the years progress. Right now, the education field is struggling with what is too little exposure, and when that exposure becomes a problem. The methods of The Waldorf School are dangerously outdated, but their concern is valid. In my opinion, they need to establish a realistic balance that fits the time period, and the needs of their students.
As an aspiring teacher, I want students to have balance. I do strongly agree with The Waldorf School in that children brought up in this day, rely too much on technology way too early. My Mom teaches a pre-pre-school, and some of her four year olds have ipads or cell phones. That is terrifying to me. Students need to learn with hands on tactics, and experiments or team work. These are essential, not only to successful learning, but to developing life skills. Without working on small group projects at the elementary age, kids are more likely to lack the team-working and communication skills needed to succeed as adults. Kids feel accomplished when they complete a project they worked so hard on building and gluing together. However, the technology in schools is slowly taking that ability away from them.
On the contrary, I do believe students need some technology. I do not agree with the approach The Waldorf School is taking. In today’s world, a basic foundation of technology is vital for survival. There needs to be a safe balance between hands on learning, and learning through a computer. For the elementary level, such as The Waldorf School, I think it is acceptable to have one hour of technology two or three times a week. I had something similar to that when I was in school and it made me well rounded. Going too far one way or the other is dangerous. Too much technology in classrooms, or not enough, could be risky for the future generations. We do not want children brought up as robots glued to their screens, but we cannot deny the changing society.
The Waldorf School is sweeping change under the rug. The students who attend there will be behind kids their own age when they leave, and that could cause issues for them as the years progress. Right now, the education field is struggling with what is too little exposure, and when that exposure becomes a problem. The methods of The Waldorf School are dangerously outdated, but their concern is valid. In my opinion, they need to establish a realistic balance that fits the time period, and the needs of their students.
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