Posts

Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory

Image
      As an eighth grade science teacher, I believe I apply Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory, almost every day. As an educator, it is also important to hold into consideration students ability, as well as where these students are developmentally. Teaching science, my students participate in daily hands on labs in class. Piaget's cognitive developmental theory states that students eleven and older, are in the Formal Operations phase, meaning these students are able to think hypothetically, a vital skill in science, especially when it comes to creating and testing hypothesis. In my class students focus on one piece of literacy, every day. Students are able to apply material learned in other courses to their science class.      As a parent, I also apply Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory as well. As a mother to a child who is in the Pre operational stage, I notice my daughter attempting to use proper syntax and grammar to express concepts, and her sen...
Post a Comment
Read more

Social Learning Theory

Image
             I see evidence of the Social Learning theory every single day in the middle school classroom that I teach. Social learning theory states that students begin to imitate behaviors or  characteristics that students witness in the social setting. For example, if there is a student that is considered "popular" or "cool", and this specific student is obedient, does all of his/her classwork, and follows classroom rules, students that want to be like this student will begin to imitate this behavior in the classroom. As an educator I see this as an advantage, because as soon as students have built this rapport with their teacher, it sets the tone for other students to also, follow those same patterns of behaviors.            This is especially interesting when it comes to the video examples that were presented in this online class module. For example, the Mean Girls and math example, one specific girl, is prete...
1 comment
Read more

Rationalization Defense Mechanism

            The defense mechanism, Rationalization is when an individual engages in "controversial" behaviors or feelings, and the individual rationalizes why he or she is engaging in these behaviors or feelings. Individuals who rationalize their behaviors or feelings, also have explanations as to why their actions are acceptable, and should not be judged by other people. Individuals do this when something happens to them, in which they find difficult to accept, people then make up a logical reason as to why it happened. This happens when people do something that is morally incorrect but people do not want their ego to hurt because of this. An example of an individual engaging in the defense mechanism of rationalization, is if a person does not get accepted into a desired university, the person then states "Great, I did not really want to go there anyway, their campus has a low graduation rate."               As a parent ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Epistomology

Image
          Epistomology is the theory of knowledge. This means, that it is the theory regarding what we learn, and what we as individuals choose to accept as knowledge and facts, and what we chose to believe are opinions or things that have no significance. This is important to practitioners and educators because it determines how and what people are going to accepts as facts, this is vital for researchers especially when trying to prove a new theory.            After taking Carol Dweck’s quiz on a Growth and Fixed Mindset, It is evident that I have a Growth Mindset, meaning that I do not believe “intelligence” is a fixed trait, I believe that an individual can always change his/her talents and intelligence by persevering and working hard towards a goal. This aligns well with my personal beliefs on epistemology. I have a Pragmatism approach to knowledge. This means that I am in the middle between the Objectivis...
Post a Comment
Read more

Introduction Post

Image
          Hello everybody! :) My name is Berenise Ceja, currently an 8th grade Science/Dual Immersion teacher at Yosemite Middle School. I have a 4 year old daughter named Chelsea, she started elementary school this year. I am currently wedding planning as well.           Prior to teaching, I worked for CA Mini-Corps and CA Teaching fellows, in elementary and middle schools in Fresno Unified and Central Unified, I was with these foundations for 4 years. I served as a Bilingual Instructional Aide, Teacher's Aide, and Migrant Tutor. I always knew I wanted to something working with children.           I am part of the Fresno Unified Teacher Residency Program, it is an 18 month program where candidates receive a stipend, laptop, two teaching credentials, employment, and a Master degree in Education (curriculum and instruction). I guess it is safe to say that I am already at "my goal" after graduation, my goal has be...
2 comments
Read more