Assignment 1
Case Study: “Who Cares?”
Philosophy question: Kate is intentionally vague with her students about her sexual orientation. How much about their private lives should teachers share with students? Why do you think so?
Answer:
It is entirely up to the individual, whether it is a teacher, student, colleague, or friend on how much they would like to share with someone on a personal level. Personally I do believe that teachers can develop stronger relationships with their students if they choose to open up more about themselves in regards to their personal interests, hobbies, and family outside of school. That doesn’t mean that Kate has to flat out tell her students or anyone that she is a lesbian because that really is no different than her students or colleagues approaching her and saying “Hi my name is… and I’m straight”. I mean if straight people don’t go around explaining their sexuality to anyone why should Kate have to. Kate has the right to be vague but I still think she should’ve opened up more to her students in order to build healthy relationships with them. She could share her interests, hobbies, or more about herself through class activities where everyone is sharing about themselves. I don’t think teachers should share a great deal of information about their private lives to their students. However, I do believe that they should share enough information so that their students know who they are and a little bit about them. Enough to at least hold a conversation in order to establish a trusting relationship with their students.
Reflection: It is entirely up to the teacher, or any individual, on how much they wish to share with others about themselves and their private life.
Case Study: “Alone in the crowd”
Philosophy question: Is the regular classroom always the best place for students with special needs? Why or why not?
Answer:
I do believe that the regular classroom is the best environment for students with special needs. That being said I do not think that should be their only learning environment. Students with special needs should be placed in a regular classroom in order to feel the sense of normalcy and inclusion. However, in Darlene’s case she personally is shutting out her classmates. It is unfortunate because she doesn’t seem to be quite aware of what or how she’s doing that. If teachers chose to remove her from the regular classroom setting she would probably be stripped from any inclusive activities with her classmates. Though it doesn’t seem to be working out for her due to her feeling overwhelmed, I do believe that her teachers will manage to get to the point of her feeling comfortable in the classroom with her peers. I personally have seen students with special needs in a regular classroom setting and in more of a private setting. For this student both environments worked fine. His peers were very welcoming and understanding of his condition. Every student is different and that includes students with special needs. Special needs students will all feel differently in regards to their learning environment and comfortability.
Reflection: The regular classroom is the best environment for students with special needs. This can be done correctly if teachers adapt their classroom and teaching style to benefit all students.
Case study: “Bang Bang! You’re dead”
The case question: Do you agree that playing violent video games at a young age can lead to violent behaviour? Why or why not?
Answer:
I do not agree that playing video games at a young age makes you violent. I do believe that it might play a part in a child’s behaviour and upbringing. But it wouldn’t make them violent. I agree with Ryan, the sixth grade teacher from the case, he makes a good argument by comparing the games he played as a child to the games his students are currently playing. Cops and Robbers is pretty similar to the realistic video games young kids are playing now. However, Cops and Robbers didn’t seem to have anyone worried about their kids being violent because they’re playing a game based on crime. I would say that a child being violent would have to do with who has raised them, their childhood, their upbringing, and how problematic situations that they were involved in were resolved. For instance, if a child comes from a home where there is domestic abuse taking place that same child might be picking fights at school with their classmates. A lot of that could have to do with the abuse that is present in their home environment. Or it could have to do with that child only being aware of resolving issues in a violent manner and not through healthy communication. I know many people personally that play violent video games. However, those same people are very gentle and caring. I could not see them being violent people. That ties in with their upbringing and childhood. The people I am referring to have had positive and happy childhoods with healthy relationships in their family. Which is why they are probably gentle and caring people, because they were raised to be that way. Overall, i do not believe that playing violent video games lead to violent behaviour.
Reflection: I do not believe that playing violent video games makes one act violent. It is a lot more than that. It has to do with ones upbringing, personality, and home life.