What is motivation? We learned about behaviorist theory in education classes. B.F. Skinner said we should concern ourselves with observable behavior be it desired, compliant, or disruptive. Tie those behaviors to extrinsic motivators and classrooms should function perfectly–as long as the motivators are attainable and the desired behaviors are well-defined. So what happens when neither […]
Author: avujaklija
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Quieting My Mind
The Quiet Mind On a Sunday morning, my mind is quieting while the hum of cars pass on the nearby country road. The sun moves lazily into the late morning. A thin layer of clouds interrupt the blueness of the sky. Cirrostratus, perhaps? The slightest breath blows away the noise and brings with it a […]
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Remote Learning, or whatever “it” is supposed to be
When the weekend feels the same as any other day of the week, it is difficult to make Monday feel like a real workday. Or Tuesday. Or whatever day this is. The current “learning” situation: two children have been e-learning since March 17. Somewhere during that time was a spring break. The college junior was […]
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When It’s Time to Step Away
Yesterday, I spent half the morning reading news. During the other half, I read student discussion board posts. This constant access to news and daily briefings pulls me away from other productive tasks – grading, planning, cooking, socializing. Then, after receiving notice that K-12 schools will be closed until at least April 30, I began […]
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Choice Theory – Basic Needs versus Desires
In my current work-at-home situation, I am investigating ideas and theories for future writing ventures. Having three children at home as I read about classroom management and best instructional practices has prompted me to seek their opinions. William Glasser’s choice theory, as stated in Quality School (1990), proposes that “all human beings are born with five […]
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Pandemic Productivity
What exactly is considered productive during a pandemic? I think we need to seriously reconsider what that is supposed to look like when there is a house full people. Even though I am perfectly capable of taking a book or a laptop into another room, I don’t. I find myself looking at statistics and watching […]
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A Stay-at-Home Shelter Sunday
Yesterday was Sunday. Even not being able to follow the same, weekly routine, it was, shall I say, a “better different.” I started the day watching live-streamed mass video recorded at my home church. Admittedly, the entire day slipped by and at 8:45 p.m. I realized that no one else had watched with me. The […]
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One Situation, Multiple Experiences
Education at home Each day this week, I have awakened with a surreal, unfamiliar feeling. It has been disorienting to realize in the few moments after waking that life is a different normal. We are in the very beginnings of an education plateau. No new, meaningful, strategic learning can take place without dedicated caregivers who […]
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On the Heals of Summer – A New Semester
The new semester begins barely days after the summer term ends. I feel mostly ready for classes this week – there are always details and adjustments I can continue to make if I let myself; yet, it is important to take a few minutes to reflect on what I learned from teaching this summer’s online […]
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Weighing Gains and Losses in Embedded Clinical Experience
April Showers from the Methods Classroom Each April, I feel an overwhelming need to examine the school year and my role within it. Were the curricular decisions I made last April and May fruitful? Were there more gains than losses? How might I make adjustments based on the performance and feedback of the students I […]
