Describe how out-side school experiences have expanded or deepened your subject area content knowledge, and tell how it enhanced or changed your understanding. Include at least one specific experience.
Out side of school, reading historic books and watching historic documentaries have been a valuable way to increase my content knowledge. For me, one of the most significant out-side school experiences that lead to expanded content knowledge was studying for the history section of the CSET. I didn’t have the best home schooling experience so even after graduating high school and college I had very poor knowledge of world and US history and almost no knowledge of California history. I used the CSET as a motivating factor in my quest to play catch up. Instead of glancing over a study guide, I read books and watched documentaries on as many major historic events as I could within about a three month period. One specific result from my studies, which I am extremely grateful for, is an enhanced understanding of the connection between events in European history. Before, each historic event seemed like a separate fact to be memorized instead of one long story with many cause-and-effect scenarios. Now history is a fascinating drama about which I want to keep learning!
Respond to the class discussion of Ball’s “The Subject Matter Preparation of Teachers.” Have your initial judgments or opinions changed based on the discussion?
One of my original questions when reading this article was “Have recent requirements such as the CBEST and CSET helped ensure necessary content knowledge in prospective teachers?” I realize now that I felt, because of my experience studying, that the CSET was successful in it’s goal of ensuring content knowledge. After Tuesday’s discussion I am aware this is not the case for at least two reasons. The first is the simple fact that you don’t have to study for the CSET as intensely as I did; learning enough of the brief overview in the study guide to earn a minimum of 60% on the exam is sufficient. Secondly, I was aware that you would not know everything about a historic period or event once you passed the CSET but it was not foremost in my mind since I have not started teaching in my own class. Listening to seasoned teachers during the discussion remark on the fact that they are constantly learning as they go really focused my attention on the inadequacies of the content knowledge tests. Even though it would be one more hoop to jump through in the process of becoming a teacher, perhaps one possibility would be a mandatory four week review class (included in the $210 test fee!) taken before the exams? It still would not ensure a high level of content knowledge but perhaps it would help. My final thought on this is - you are never going to get the level of skill desired for the job until the job pays enough to erase the debt incurred for that education. I feel this is true for any profession.
Where are you in developing and pursuing a line of inquiry? What is your question? Are you satisfied with your question? At this point what do you know about the research available in this area? What ideas do you have for possible experiential learning sources?
While trying to come up with possible guiding questions I starting focusing on the Arts as my area interest. One question that particularly caught my attention was “What is the history of street art and how has it been used for social change?” At this point I am satisfied with my question, I think it would translate nicely into a final project which focuses on using art to build community with the goal of negating bullying tendencies. At this point I have been to my local library as well as made a cursory glance online and have found a plethora of information (books and online sites) on graffiti and how it has been used for political and social change.
However, for the most part, I have not had the time to determine if these resources will prove useful for my project. I am still in the process of finding experiential learning sources but some possibilities include visiting the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco, contacting the Gay & Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society of Northern California to see if they have used street art in their movement, and contacting actual street art groups or individuals for an interview.
Blogs I responded to:
Wilson Pang
Jessica O'Connell
Marcy Place
Christina Baronian
Hi Tammy. I thought your responses to each question were thorough and very detailed. I didn't know you were home-schooled. It just shows that you can't find out everything about someone after two formal introductions from Course 1.
ReplyDeleteI like that you are focusing your research on art. I am intrigued to see how the project will turn out.
Tammy,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the first paragraph of your blog I was instantly brought back to my days of cramming for the CSET! I appreciate your approach to studying, instead of looking at the study guide (which to me was NO help) you dug deeper and actually did some research. Like you mentioned, your entire view of history has changed, in a more positive way. I never looked at the CSET like that and I wish I had. I crammed and used a study guide but feel as though I can not even remember what was on the test, a negative of cramming. For example, moving from MA I had NO knowledge of CA History and I would need to know because of the CSET. From studying for the CSET I thought I would remember this information (and I would need to if I was becoming a CA teacher) but I am sad to say I remember a little. I know the basics but I would like to know more and this must come through my own research.
I really liked your idea about a 4-week review class ("included in the $210 fee")!!
Tammy –
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your Blog. I’m not sure if the exhibit is still showing and possibly you went to it already. At the Oakland Museum, they have an exhibit call 1968. It is literally based simply on the year 1968. But as a historian, you can imagine what went on in 1968…Vietnam War was at height, etc. It is fascinating. But along with the exhibit is a display of Social and Political posters. It is really fun and eye opening. I am hopeful it is still running because I want to take my husband to the exhibit because he was in college at the time and had a draft number…pretty scary.
See you Tuesday.
Marcy,
ReplyDeletethanks for the museum info, I will be stopping by there soon!
Hi Tammy,
ReplyDeleteI see you have already been tipped about the poster exhibit in the Oakland Museum. As I read about your topic that was the first thing that popped in my mind as well. It is amazing to see the variety of posters from anti-war ones to anti-housework! What I liked about it, unlike other artwork, is not knowing who made the poster. Then the focus stays on the message more than anything else. Another thing that strikes me about it is the freedom of expression and the fearlessness to express what you are thinking. I think it is a great way to teach students to express their thoughts and views on a particular topic. It is still showing. Check it out!
Debamitra
Tammy--
ReplyDeleteYour research is fascinating, and I am so excited to hear about your progress. As you know, my research interests center on social movements----so please let me know if you need any resources. I have books, websites, and films galore....and I will keep my ears open for potential sources.