CEP 801: psychological development learner differences and commonalities
Learning is such a personal experience that is unique to the individual. This course explored various developmental theories of learning, specific areas of learning, and theories about how a change regarding learning can occur. One of the reasons this course was impactful for me was because it emphasized the idea that there is no right or wrong way to learn. There are just different ways learning is impacted by biological, personal, cultural, and environmental factors. Below I have outlined a few factors explored in the course that I found most influential.
Cultural Similarities and Differences
I would define culture as the characteristics and make-up of each person as an individual and how they relate or differ from one another. What I think is unique about culture is that it is different for each person. Therefore, while you may have similarities with another person or group, it is not 100% identical. This is where I feel the component of tolerance begins to play a role. We have to be open and willing to hear what other people’s experiences are if we want to find a way to make all people and all cultures feel welcomed and valued. This course opened my eyes to how imperative it is that we make an effort to teach and model how to be culturally responsive to our students.
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Learning Differences
Through different readings and discussions, we explored how we as educators show up and serve our students with learning differences. Through these tasks, I formed three concrete steps that I could take to create a more inclusive classroom.
I will educate myself ahead of time when appropriate.
I will work to understand the best forms of communication and different strategies that may be helpful.
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I will never stop learning.
New things are being learned and discovered daily. As soon as I turn my brain off to hearing from others and learning from others' experiences, I stop being the best educator I can be. We are all given walks of life that are unique and special. When we take the time to listen to others, we validate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, but we also grow and expand on our understandings.
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I will get to know the person and not the disability.
While researching approaches is a great start they will do nothing if I don't know the person. I know how it feels when teachers know my plan and/or accommodations but don’t take the time to get to know me. I am so much more than my IEP and I never want a child to feel defined by a document in the same ways that I have.
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