Another Sunday working on schoolwork!

[DisneyJen0504]

Well, here I am sipping hot chocolate, and I am stuck on an assignment regarding educational theories. If anyone can offer any knowledge my way on the subject, I would love to pick your brain!
For those interested, my assignment is to come up with a metaphor for each of the education theories we studied (for example perennialism, essentialism, behaviorism...). The example they give is for the theory of constructivism, in which the metaphor example is "constructivism is a shared voyage into new and uncharted territory". I am just not getting it. Anyone have a clue?

Thanks for taking the time to read this...and even more thanks if you can help me out in any way!!!

 

[Aurora63]

I've been too long out of college to even remember what those theories are!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Thank you anyway Aurora!

Maybe someone else can help?

 

[Blondy876]

Perennialism teaches one to think of the personal aspects and reasoning of a subject, not the facts because those details often change.

Is that what your looking for? What a tough assingment.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Thanks for helping Blondy. I have the definitions and even examples of the theories. I understand them, but I am having a tough time using a metaphor to describe them the way the assignment gave in the example about constructivism.
Thank you for the help. Yes this is a tough assignment. Guess that's grad school for ya!

 

[Marseeya]

Subscribing...

I think but I'm not sure that I might have some notes that have metaphors for educational theories. I'm not sure if I have any on essentialism or perennialism. Never heard of them.

BRB.

Cross your fingers that I can find those notes!

Edit: It would help if you told me which theories you need.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Subscribing...

I think but I'm not sure that I might have some notes that have metaphors for educational theories. I'm not sure if I have any on essentialism or perennialism. Never heard of them.

BRB.

Cross your fingers that I can find those notes!

Edit: It would help if you told me which theories you need.

Ooh, thanks for checking Marseeya!
I need metaphor for the following theories:
perennialism
essentialism
behaviorism
positivism
progressivism
reconstructivism
humanism
constructivism (different from the examples given)

As you can see my professor doesn't mess around. This is not coming easy for me. I understand the theories but cant seem to come up with metaphors.
Thanks again-hopefully you have some notes!

 

[Marseeya]

Ooh, thanks for checking Marseeya!
I need metaphor for the following theories:
perennialism
essentialism
behaviorism
positivism
progressivism
reconstructivism
humanism
constructivism (different from the examples given)

As you can see my professor doesn't mess around. This is not coming easy for me. I understand the theories but cant seem to come up with metaphors.
Thanks again-hopefully you have some notes!

Okay, I can't find that paper, but I did find some notes on learning theories and maybe we can put our heads together and come up with something.

Behaviorism: since the teacher is "manipulating" learning, a means end approach, the metaphor can be something to the effect of a person steering/driving a remote control car through obstacles. Or someone moving game pieces on a board (like chess).

Humanism: teacher would be more of a guide; students learn & think independently. I don't know... how about a gardener in a garden? Every flower is different and the gardener has to treat each one differently in order for it to reach its full potential.

Progressivism: learning by doing; social learning. My notes compare it to a 4-H club. So maybe something similar to that.

Essentialism: building knowledge from basics. Maybe putting pennies in a piggy bank, all adding up until you have enough to buy something?

Reconstructivism: not sure what my notes mean. REbuilding improved versions of traditional structures. So with building being a keyword, how about something to do with that?

Perennialism: All I have on that is "great books" concept and that learning comes from the teacher. Maybe something to do with a docent/tour guide in a museum.

That's about all I've got. Hope it helps at least a little.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Okay, I can't find that paper, but I did find some notes on learning theories and maybe we can put our heads together and come up with something.

Behaviorism: since the teacher is "manipulating" learning, a means end approach, the metaphor can be something to the effect of a person steering/driving a remote control car through obstacles. Or someone moving game pieces on a board (like chess).

Humanism: teacher would be more of a guide; students learn & think independently. I don't know... how about a gardener in a garden? Every flower is different and the gardener has to treat each one differently in order for it to reach its full potential.

Progressivism: learning by doing; social learning. My notes compare it to a 4-H club. So maybe something similar to that.

Essentialism: building knowledge from basics. Maybe putting pennies in a piggy bank, all adding up until you have enough to buy something?

Reconstructivism: not sure what my notes mean. REbuilding improved versions of traditional structures. So with building being a keyword, how about something to do with that?

Perennialism: All I have on that is "great books" concept and that learning comes from the teacher. Maybe something to do with a docent/tour guide in a museum.

That's about all I've got. Hope it helps at least a little.

WOW Marseeya! That was not only extremely helpful, but I think your metaphors actually helped me understand what's going on!! Thank you so much. I have been pining over this assignment for a few days. I knew if I asked someone on the DIS, someone would have something to offer that would help.
Thank you again!!! I really appreciate it!!

 

[Marseeya]

WOW Marseeya! That was not only extremely helpful, but I think your metaphors actually helped me understand what's going on!! Thank you so much. I have been pining over this assignment for a few days. I knew if I asked someone on the DIS, someone would have something to offer that would help.
Thank you again!!! I really appreciate it!!

You're welcome! That was actually kind of fun, nerd that I am.

What's your area of concentration? I'm getting my masters in secondary ed in English. I'm hoping to teach middle school.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Glad it was kinda fun for someone!! haha!
I just started my Masters in Elementary Education. This is my first semester! It's tough but I love it!!
How far into your masters are you?
Best of luck to you and thanks again!

 

[WDWAurora]

I'm doing schoolwork too! NO fun...I'm writing up an interview that didn't really happen...I was told to make up one with my sister-in-law about her pregnancy with my nephew. So I had to make up the interview and write it up. It's taking forever, especially since I'm preferring to watch Desperate Housewives over actually writing it.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I hear ya. With all the other things going on..it is tough to stay focused on schoolwork.
Good luck with your work!!

 

[Marseeya]

Glad it was kinda fun for someone!! haha!
I just started my Masters in Elementary Education. This is my first semester! It's tough but I love it!!
How far into your masters are you?
Best of luck to you and thanks again!

I have one semester left before I student teach. BTW, since you're elementary ed, have you ever heard of the author Avi? I met him on Saturday!!! OMG, he did a dramatic reading from several of his books and he was so awesome.

It's so funny, and I don't know if you'll come across this in your masters where you'll be taking classes with secondary ed students, but there is such a difference in the two. Secondary ed students are typically more quiet, almost cynical sometimes -- just go in and like to get the work done and be done with it. Elementary ed students have a great energy about them and are more talkative and excited about being there. I love it when I have classes with elementary ed students!

Good luck to you too Are you going full time? What's you're bachelors in? Mine's English.

 

[Marseeya]

I'm doing schoolwork too! NO fun...I'm writing up an interview that didn't really happen...I was told to make up one with my sister-in-law about her pregnancy with my nephew. So I had to make up the interview and write it up. It's taking forever, especially since I'm preferring to watch Desperate Housewives over actually writing it.

That's funny that you were told to make one up. I've had to do several interviews over the years and I've always made them up! I figure it gives my creative writing skills a workout.

 

[WDWAurora]

That's funny that you were told to make one up. I've had to do several interviews over the years and I've always made them up! I figure it gives my creative writing skills a workout.

Well, we're seeing clients and some are working in school systems. Unfortunately, all my clients have flaked out, so I haven't done a 'real' one this semester. Everybody else except one other girl did a real one. We actually had double the work since we had to make up the interview too!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I have one semester left before I student teach. BTW, since you're elementary ed, have you ever heard of the author Avi? I met him on Saturday!!! OMG, he did a dramatic reading from several of his books and he was so awesome.

It's so funny, and I don't know if you'll come across this in your masters where you'll be taking classes with secondary ed students, but there is such a difference in the two. Secondary ed students are typically more quiet, almost cynical sometimes -- just go in and like to get the work done and be done with it. Elementary ed students have a great energy about them and are more talkative and excited about being there. I love it when I have classes with elementary ed students!

Good luck to you too Are you going full time? What's you're bachelors in? Mine's English.

My program is totally geared toward elementary so I don't think I will have much experience seeing secondary ed classes but I see what you are saying. My undergraduate degree is in Psychology. I was always interested in teaching but was so concerned with just getting a degree and getting out-I wasn't thinking ahead! I wasn't able to do anything with it after I graduated and ended up in finance. I absolutely hated everything about the corporate world. I quit my job, decided to go back to school for teaching and I am so happy!!
I am going part time because I have my own small business with my mom as well. It will take me another year to get my teacher certification and another 2 semesters after that to complete the masters degree.
If I ever decide I want to be subject specific-I would go for English. I don't have enough credits in it currently to teach secondary at this time. For now, I just want to teach elementary.