Case 2: Differences in Adolescence
This case was incredibly enlightening. The presentation of case itself was mostly about sexting, but it extended into identity formation, and that's what the case was really about in my mind.
There have been a numerous news stories about some of the devastating effects of sexting.
Research: Interview with a student
For this case I consulted a grade 12 student about what they had seen in high school. I was shocked at so much of what I heard. I asked; why do girls sext, what the prevalence of it is, and if they had seen a sext that was not intended for them. They answered saying that, girl’s sext because they believe they are in love, or they are seeking the attention of boys in their class, and that it was about a 50/50 split. The student believed that the incidence of sexting was somewhere around the sixty-percent level. Finally, they had indeed seen many sexts that were not intended for them. Apparently, a large number of the seniors keep albums of sexts they received from different girls in albums on their cellular phones. In one specific case, a girl had sent a photo posing in a provocative way that everyone in the school had seen. It was posted around the school, and students would strike the pose.
There have been a numerous news stories about some of the devastating effects of sexting.
Research: Interview with a student
For this case I consulted a grade 12 student about what they had seen in high school. I was shocked at so much of what I heard. I asked; why do girls sext, what the prevalence of it is, and if they had seen a sext that was not intended for them. They answered saying that, girl’s sext because they believe they are in love, or they are seeking the attention of boys in their class, and that it was about a 50/50 split. The student believed that the incidence of sexting was somewhere around the sixty-percent level. Finally, they had indeed seen many sexts that were not intended for them. Apparently, a large number of the seniors keep albums of sexts they received from different girls in albums on their cellular phones. In one specific case, a girl had sent a photo posing in a provocative way that everyone in the school had seen. It was posted around the school, and students would strike the pose.
This is vindication for what is said in one of the videos below; teenage girls are now trying to define their self worth by the extent of what they will do sexually. It is time for a paradigm shift in the way sex-ed is taught. It is typically done strictly through a biological lens, which is fine in a science classroom, but does not offer what the students really need to know. .These classes fail to educate students on love and relationships. Since our current culture is so engrossed with sexuality, adolescents turn to media to fill in those cracks, and often it is with all the wrong ideals.
As educators, I believe, there is a responsibility to inform teenagers about sex, but more than the traditional sperm and egg dance. It is imperative that their curiosities about sex are address to ensure that they do not turn towards porn or the sexually charged media for answers.
As educators, I believe, there is a responsibility to inform teenagers about sex, but more than the traditional sperm and egg dance. It is imperative that their curiosities about sex are address to ensure that they do not turn towards porn or the sexually charged media for answers.
A couple informative videos on sexting
Identity formation
Everything in this case came back to students trying to create their own identity during adolescence.
The story of Julian in “Understanding Youth” speaks to this; throughout most of his day he put on several different faces depending on whom he is with, and where he is. This is identified as a moratorium, which is a “crisis of identity with no commitment” (Nakkule & Toshalis, 2006, p. 36). This moratorium is crucial for development, otherwise adolescents will have no commitment to an identity and become very easily swayed, and this is known as a diffuse identity. Another alternative if moratorium is not ventured, is a foreclosed identity; where an adolescent commits himself/herself to an identity without fully trying it out or understanding everything, which that identity may entail. Once the moratorium is negotiated and one finds an identity for them, this is called an achieved identity (Nakkule & Toshalis, 2006).
As students navigate adolescence they begin to forge their own identity and social media is often used as a medium for experimenting with new forms of themselves. Technology has also served to fill an information void left by inadequate sexual education in schools, through pornography.
It is crucial that educators attempt to embrace new technology, not only to demonstrate the positive effects that it offers, but also to help keep up to date with what problems students may be encountering.
Everything in this case came back to students trying to create their own identity during adolescence.
The story of Julian in “Understanding Youth” speaks to this; throughout most of his day he put on several different faces depending on whom he is with, and where he is. This is identified as a moratorium, which is a “crisis of identity with no commitment” (Nakkule & Toshalis, 2006, p. 36). This moratorium is crucial for development, otherwise adolescents will have no commitment to an identity and become very easily swayed, and this is known as a diffuse identity. Another alternative if moratorium is not ventured, is a foreclosed identity; where an adolescent commits himself/herself to an identity without fully trying it out or understanding everything, which that identity may entail. Once the moratorium is negotiated and one finds an identity for them, this is called an achieved identity (Nakkule & Toshalis, 2006).
As students navigate adolescence they begin to forge their own identity and social media is often used as a medium for experimenting with new forms of themselves. Technology has also served to fill an information void left by inadequate sexual education in schools, through pornography.
It is crucial that educators attempt to embrace new technology, not only to demonstrate the positive effects that it offers, but also to help keep up to date with what problems students may be encountering.
Case 3: Literacy
I saw this case on the schedule, and was dreading it. Why would literacy matter to a Math/Science teaching candidate. But I was quickly enlightened as to why this should matter to me. Literacy is so much more than something taught in an English class, it is, or should be experienced in every classroom, no matter the content area. The case has not only
immensely expanded the definition of literacy for me. It has also dovetailed into many other interesting facets of teaching and learning that I had not previously considered. In order to facilitate
literacy, different content areas should apply their knowledge of literacy into
their lessons. Not only has the definition of literacy changed but also has the
way it is delivered through texts. These texts are no longer limited to books,
or articles but cover every teaching aid, or any medium that it used to deliver
information could be considered a text.
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During my research for this case I came across a book of Dr. Schnellert's. It offered a lot of insight as well as lesson plans on incorporating literacy into the Math/Science classroom. In one example a science teacher collaborates with an English teacher. The concept is 'how we are connected to our environment'. For the science perspective, the connection of the water system will be studied, while the English portion will focus on special places for students and how they become a part of them, and concludes with a final project that weaves the two subjects together.
Within this case a very important lesson came to me. There are many sociological factors that affect the way one may receive literacy. One large factor is gender; this connects back to the last case with the formation of gender roles. Traditionally boys have not been as interested in reading as girls are, and therefore have not had the same achievements. Similarly, girls used to do worse in math, and science, but that gap has closed while the discrepancy in reading scores has not.
It is important to extend this into accounting for a culturally diverse classroom. A good way to make it more inclusive is to offer a diverse selection of texts. Not only should there be a diverse set of perspectives, but also present texts that are for different levels of readers. Such as those that were show cased by Erin when her and Ben came to our class.
It is important to extend this into accounting for a culturally diverse classroom. A good way to make it more inclusive is to offer a diverse selection of texts. Not only should there be a diverse set of perspectives, but also present texts that are for different levels of readers. Such as those that were show cased by Erin when her and Ben came to our class.
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Something I believe to be essential during this case, was finding out that background knowledge is the most important factor in reading comp
By creating thinking sheets students can begin to form connection, and begin to forge a relation between their own lives, and the text. Posing questions like the So What? article will aid students in uncovering the big ideas in their text. The text can be anything, and as time go on, they will likely become more digital. Slowly, technology is coming into the classroom. It is imperative to have it involved as it allows students to form deeper connections, because outside of the classroom they experience so much through it. By having interdisciplinary collaboration students are learning that the real world is not so divided, everything is intertwined. If you can take a math equation, then apply that within the science classroom, then provide a real life example of this scientific concept, students will be much more engaged. Another positive to come from cross-curricular activities is building background knowledge, if there is overlap between content areas, students are more likely to form connections and learn their material in a quicker manner.