Activity 1:  Blog Posting

As a second year pre-service teacher I found the videos very enlightening. I agree with Judy Willis that everyone is quick to blame natural human behavior on a mental disorder or illness. What sort of people set up a child for a life of pill popping just because of ‘incorrect behavior’? Children playing with everything they can find, staring out the window, and colouring on chairs or books are all perfectly normal child behaviors. Better to make learning more engaging and enjoyable than to treat children like mental patients. It is a no brainer really. I definitely agree that stress hinders learning. I personally cannot get anything done when I am stressed and have to force myself to calm down and focus. Judy Willis is looking for ways that make school a nice place to be and I think that is a great attitude for a teacher to have. I also commend her on putting down the prescription pad and picking up the coloured pens.

I liked how the technology video talked about how technology is useful for allowing students to work at their pace, advancing when they are ready instead of advancing when it is time. I broke away from the traditional academic model at TAFE College and reaped the rewards of learning at my own pace which was slow and for long periods of time.

Sir Ken Robinson hit the nail on the head. The education system is biased towards industry and academic achievement. Gillian is a perfect example of how children are made to suffer if they do not ‘fit’ a particular educational frame. It is a shame that it took a doctor’s insight to do what education should have done.