Additional Assignment 5

In Tom Johnson’s first post, Just Teach Them to Solve for X, Tom is basically discussing whether we as educators should teach just facts or the processes behind how or why things happen. Perhaps teaching both are essential. If students can get the answer but not understand the reasoning behind how they got the answer, are we really doing our jobs? Teach students how to think critically and learning through metaphors let's students stretch thinking skills. We need to challenge students and one way of doing that is to use metaphors.

In Tom Johnson’s second post, Sketchy Portraits: 8th Grade Identity and Pencils, he talked about how students of all ages are still "a work under construction." He is using the pencil as a metaphor for the person. He states, "My students are at that age where the pencil becomes their own metaphor." Tom Johnson is saying that just as a pencil can be used to sketch and shade in things and can be erased so can students’ ideas, attitudes, and behaviors. They seek freedom and independence as they grow older yet they also want that permanence and stability from parents and teachers of being the child still. They want to be treated as both kids and adults. Near the end of the post, he talks about how the one teacher wants them to act one way not both- but why not? Why not embrace their questioning of authority and adventurous spirit where they might try and fail-it teaches life’s lessons and they can use it as self reflection.

In Tom Johnson’s third post, He Just Likes the Class for the Pencils, Tom describes himself as a nice guy teacher and then describes his classroom as where there is serious learning going on. Other teachers cannot quite understand it. He wants kids to enjoy learning and have fun but demands respect and seriousness when in the classroom. He then discusses a hypothetical meeting between a student, parent and teachers where most of what happens is to shame the student and then just because he seems to be doing well in Tom’s class, Tom becomes the target. Just because he trusts the student and treats him like an adult the others assume the student likes his class because of the "pencils". Pencils here can be any number of things, like any technology or an extra recess or reward. Tom stresses though that he tries to use humor, develop a relationship with them and give them meaningful work to engage in. It is not the "pencils" that is the reason the students like the class it is how they are treated.

In Tom Johnson’s Fourth post, The Medium Shapes the Learning, he talks about how filmmakers chop up bits of film and create some new production that astonishes the crowds. Tom also says that it is similar to what the Romans thought about bread and the circus-that one was a necessity for the masses but that also the circus kept them entertained too. Often fun, though, becomes a replacement for meaningful. Just remember that one should have a plan for using any new learning technology or device before using it for a lesson. New devices can enhance learning and makes learning fun, but just prepare ahead of time.