Two journal entries from my Organizational behaviour class which reflect students and the schools system.
Journal Entry 8
October 10, 2017
Kyra Sinclair
The Successes from an Almost Fail
It’s easy to blame the professor for grades and success, but thorough an almost fail in another class, I realized that the professor has control over the test and the material, not your learning. And I think this concept is where students are beginning to get confused.
We have been learning about leadership, communication, and decision making and although it is not directly spelled out or recognized within the classroom that these should be implemented in your work ethic, I really believe they should be. I think they could help students succeed in their work place: the classroom. If we think of the classroom in this manner then success in school would be evident just as it would be in an actual workplace. For example:
- Leaders (or students in our case) should ensure rules and outlines are followed (a rubric for any course material).
- This will ensure a student success because they are doing exactly what is expected of them
- Communication with classmates, professors, and outside sources should be used because, as relayed in class, silence will get you nowhere.
- Silence in a learning environment is useless, and this has been shown through progressive education as worksheets and sit-down learning are becoming less popular.
- Decision making should be shown by prioritizing your time and making educated decisions that will benefit the work you are doing (so not going to CJ’s on Saturday night when you have an exam Monday you haven’t studied for).
- I think this one is self evident…
Students are wrapped up in success and therefore desire direct answers to ensure they achieve this. Many teachers submit to this notion therefore students “based on experiences in… other classrooms… have come to believe that “good” teachers tell students what they need to know” (Weimer, 2014). It has only taken me five years of upper education to appreciate this concept, but as you get older you learn more lessons and find the importance in learning how to do things on your own. We are not given answers in life, which would likely explain why you get many complaints about students not being prepared for the real world. Our education has softened and began to submit to the worry for mental helath and overall well-being of society. Frankly, life is not easy and does not submit to individual troubles, rather it throws you down and kicks you out of the blue… with no warning or answers. So if we are to educate students to succeed, a fail here and there won’t hurt. Society can only hope these lessons motivate students to push harder.
If anything sums up my realization:
(Failure Quotes, Crossfit-Geo, 2017)
References
“Failure-Quotes.” (3 January, 2017). Crossfit-Geo. Retreived on November 17 from
Weimer, M. (10 September 2014). “She Didn’t Teach. We Had to Learn it Ourselves.” Faculty
Focus. Retrieved on November 17, 2016 from
https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/didnt-teach-learn/
Class Power Point: Communication, Leadership, Decision Making
This journal article is an example of the changing roles of parents and children’s desires for success. Nowadays there is a switch, where the child pushes for success and parents are hesitant to push them too far, often fearing mental health. It stems into the classroom, as children hope for a teacher who will desire their success in reference to grades, often termed “easy” teachers, which shows how grades are overriding the actual LEARNING experience. I so often hear my friends complaining that a prof didn’t tell them what was on an exam and I wonder why we need to be spoon fed… or worse yet, expect to be. I question whether this is a change in education is influenced by students concern for a high GPA, or whether it’s impacted by parents constantly giving; therefore influencing students to have the same expectations in school. Children rely on grades more than learning today, and now having studied the history of education, this leap is extreme because we did not once discuss success from coming grades. This notion is something we have implemented in the early 21st century, and I’m not sure the extent of it’s importance is healthy.
Journal 9
November 9, 2017
Kyra Sinclair
Awkward Silence
In this journal I will be referencing back to when we did the silent walk across the classroom after you made a statement. The vulnerability that was exposed in doing this exercise was something I was very intimidated by. I found it very awkward at first because some questions and statements were uncomfortable. This exercise not only opened my eyes to my own life, but also other cultures. I was a culprit of stereotyping and prejudice and was embarrassed by this realization. This exercise broke silence without any words and the contradiction of this to later classroom material was very fascinating to me.
Controversial and ‘touchy’ subjects were referenced and the classrooms tense response was communal which shows although we come from different place, languages, values, etc. we have similar desires to seclude our personal information. I am absolutely one of those people, I like to provide people with the image that I have it all together and am just a happy person, but really behind the scenes that is not so much the case. I think we were supposed to learn that silence sometimes can teach you more about a person than words and that “incorporating silence as a common practice enhances our quality of life and provides a much-needed opportunity to process the world around us” (Benefits of Silence).
I was very skeptical of this after we did it and honestly questioned whether it was allowed to be done in universities. My questioning made me realize that society is too careful, this was especially strengthened when I read from the Houston Chronicle (2016) that some “professors suggested that teachers may want to drop certain topics from… curriculum, and not go there if you sense anger.” Pressuring students to deal with uncomfortable situations and experiences is a great test for the workplace because you realistically will always encounter people who say too much, too little, or pressure for more so understanding the benefits and withdraws and how to interact in each situation will prepare students. Controversial subjects are also the most interesting to debate, so why make education bland by tip toeing around topics that might be beneficial.
In conclusion, I appreciated this exercise because it made me think way beyond its likely purpose.
References
Sloat, D. (2017). Classroom Walking Activity.
Norton, B. (2016). “Don’t teach “sensitive topics” or anger students.” Houston Chronicle.
Reports. Retrieved on November 23, 2017 from
Just as the Grimms Brothers began to modify their books to pertain to the vulnerability and safety of children, we have begun to do that in the classroom, but in upper level years. This astonished me once I realized that I questioned an exercise because it was maybe taking a situation “too far.” The fact I thought putting up borders around the topic was the right thing to do, shows how children are limited in their learning and thinking. But the part that surprised me the most, was the teacher and professors in post-education are beginning to modify their lectures and take out aspects which they deem “inappropriate.” The problem is, nowadays, there really is nothing that could not be talked about. Whether it be “politically correct” to bring it up is debatable, but you could openly speak of anything today and it be acceptable. As a culture we have opened all doors and expect people to speak up about their thoughts, but for generations prior to the millenials, I am sure this is a hard and often awkward transition for them. BUT if we are wanting the success of students, especially ones University, you cannot hide information from them, you must give them ALL the information, make them feel uncomfortable, push their limits and force them to participate when they do not want to. Why do we NEED to do this? Well because the real world won’t modify the truths or extremes for people, so giving them the opportunity to experience it in the classroom is a useful lesson that will set them up for success. Which is hopefully the goal for all teachers.
