One lecture I attended for black history month was about James Brown and his affect on the political and economical injustices of the 1960s. The lecture, which was given by Professor Jason Stonerook, was fascinating. Prof. Stonerook talked about the rhythm of the funk James Brown produced. In the 1960s many whites in the United States were listening to rock and roll. Many of the blacks were listening to funk. It was James Brown's funk that bridged the gap. Whites broadened their choice for music to include not only rock and roll but also Motown, and finally funk. The funk of James Brown, such as "Papa's got a Brand New Bag", "Get up Offa That Thing", and "Sex Machine" helped to unite listeners of all colors. James Brown had begun to bring people of different races together so well that his song "Play That Funky Music White Boy" was accepted not as racist but as inclusive.
That's not all James Brown did. He also created music that would last for decades. The way Brown used rhythm in his voice, guitar, and drum set can be found in popular compositions today. Listen to the basslines of R&B and hip hop. Those beats are Brown's ideas. Listen to the percussionistic beats of rap. Again, there is James Brown.
This lecture was very interesting because it used pop culture of the 1960s to teach the listeners. Brown himself was a great teacher who made a difference while entertaining his audience. Brown's music taught people of different races how to get along and agree on music. James Brown is one of the most creative and affective teachers I can think of.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Ed Psych 2/23/07
One controversial topic related to education that I can think of is saying the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools. Over the years there has been a lot of controversy over allowing the pledge to continue with the phrase "One nation, under God". Some individuals believe the title of "God" should not be allowed in the United States school system where church and state are supposed to be separate. Using "God" in the pledge implies that there is one single diety that reigns over all of America. This offends the first amendment that gives each citizen freedom of religion, and also freedom from religion. The phrase in the pledge may offend citizens that worship more than one diety and citizens who are atheists. There is also the idea that one diety reigns over all of America. Our nation is "under God", meaning he has the power to control events in the United States. This idea of a diety controlling a country's actions offends many people also.
Not only are there religious issues about the phrase, but there are also gender issues. The pledge gives allegiance to one god, not one goddess, or one god and goddess, or many gods and goddesses. There is a feeling of male dominance in the pledge. This offends many individuals who do not believe the diety (or dieties) they worship are male or female.
I personally feel the pledge is not offensive. I believe most students say the pledge as part of their routine and they don't focus on the meaning of the words. I learned the pledge and had it memorized before I understood what many of the words mean. However, I also believe in one male God who I hope looks over the United States. The Pledge of Allegiance supports my beliefs and therefore does not offend me. Perhaps I would be offended if I believed in more than one diety or none at all.
I do understand how the phrase violates the first amendment and the idea of freedom that we pride ourselves on as Americans. I also understand that President Bush is a conservative republican who is a devout Christian. As a nation we are conservative, and the next one, possibly two, presidents will be conservative republicans. Therefore the Pledge of Allegiance will not be amended in the near future.... what is your opinion?
Not only are there religious issues about the phrase, but there are also gender issues. The pledge gives allegiance to one god, not one goddess, or one god and goddess, or many gods and goddesses. There is a feeling of male dominance in the pledge. This offends many individuals who do not believe the diety (or dieties) they worship are male or female.
I personally feel the pledge is not offensive. I believe most students say the pledge as part of their routine and they don't focus on the meaning of the words. I learned the pledge and had it memorized before I understood what many of the words mean. However, I also believe in one male God who I hope looks over the United States. The Pledge of Allegiance supports my beliefs and therefore does not offend me. Perhaps I would be offended if I believed in more than one diety or none at all.
I do understand how the phrase violates the first amendment and the idea of freedom that we pride ourselves on as Americans. I also understand that President Bush is a conservative republican who is a devout Christian. As a nation we are conservative, and the next one, possibly two, presidents will be conservative republicans. Therefore the Pledge of Allegiance will not be amended in the near future.... what is your opinion?
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Ed Psych 2/16/07
Why do we teach? We teach because education is important to survive in this world. Education is needed to communicate and converse on a deeper level with others. Education is needed to be an informed citizen. Education is needed to compete in the job market. Education is needed to care for ourselves and others. So some of us decide to help others discover the knowledge that will help them in their lives. I want to teach so I can continue to learn. Learn with others as they learn, and also learn about others.
What is the difference between school work and student learning? School work is often busy work. It does not mean the student is learning. They may have already known everything practiced in the school work, or they may just be reciting words from a textbook, but not really learning a single thing. Student learning often happens through actions. If the student can see the lesson through a science experiment or see math measurements through 3d objects, not just pictures. Student learning is using the brain to actually be productive and learn something. School work is often just busy work.
What makes for good teaching? Enthusiasm. A teacher that is excited about life and learning excites the students. A concept that the teacher presents in an interesting way helps the students become excited to learn also. I didn't have any interest in reading books until my teacher told me about her love for books. She told me about all these wonderful stories and pretty soon I wanted to read them too! I also wanted to read other stories, and I wanted to learn. Because of my teacher's love for books I too developed a passion for reading.
What is the difference between school work and student learning? School work is often busy work. It does not mean the student is learning. They may have already known everything practiced in the school work, or they may just be reciting words from a textbook, but not really learning a single thing. Student learning often happens through actions. If the student can see the lesson through a science experiment or see math measurements through 3d objects, not just pictures. Student learning is using the brain to actually be productive and learn something. School work is often just busy work.
What makes for good teaching? Enthusiasm. A teacher that is excited about life and learning excites the students. A concept that the teacher presents in an interesting way helps the students become excited to learn also. I didn't have any interest in reading books until my teacher told me about her love for books. She told me about all these wonderful stories and pretty soon I wanted to read them too! I also wanted to read other stories, and I wanted to learn. Because of my teacher's love for books I too developed a passion for reading.
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