Impact of Education Summary
Summary of the interview conducted
The interview was a great opportunity for me to interact with a professional whose approach towards education was very new. As a librarian at the Cheery Tree elementary, the most important aspect that I sought to obtain from the interview with Nancy Hettlinger was to highlight the factors that drove Nancy into attending to her tasks. Apart from being highly passionate about her career, Nancy strongly believes in her role as a librarian. According to her, the most vital element in education careers entails comprehending the different natures of students and people especially with regards to their diverse needs as well as capacities. It is this perspective and understanding that has enabled her to successfully divide classes into diverse age groups considering that every age group tends to have different needs as far as education and access to the library is concerned. As such, in order to enhance service delivery in the education sector, it is necessary to prepare for a particular class or activity and gather sufficient information and needed elements for each session according to the needs of the class.
The main motivation that drives Nancy is her aim to change the lives of library users by providing them with top notch library services. One of the ways she does this is by guiding students and assisting them to acquire and use knowledge from books and this later on influences their education. Advanced technology has transformed and affected the approach and manner in which students perceive and undertake education. Nonetheless, books have withstood the test of time and remain a reliable source of knowledge that many students depend upon. Her passion for her career has led Nancy to extend her services to the family level by organizing book fairs for children and families at large. By so doing, she has been able to create awareness on the essence of reading and access to the library. The interview with Nancy challenged my perception concerning my career. Initially,my main career goal was to earn a living and offer services to the society, but from this interview I learnt that I should pay more attention to how I can influence and transform children instead of focusing on what gains I will earn from serving them.
In addition, the interview offered me with a guideline for succeeding in my career which entails interacting and handling children. First off, I need to develop string faith as well as love for children to succeed in this career. Nancy explains that it is essential to understand children’s needs because this is a vital ingredient in facilitating the achievements of set standards within education. The management of the school does not dictate the approach that Nancy ought to take when handling children related issues. She has thus chosen to focus on developing an avenue through which she can intellectually develop the children as well as nurture their love for education. I therefore consider the interview with Nancy as very important especially with regards to opening up my mind and perceptions towards diverse issues that concern childhood education. In fact, through the interview, I developed the belief and understanding that my actions are central in influencing the manner in which children relate to education. Furthermore, through the interview I also learnt that childhood education is not just limited to the school situation but also extends to the family level and that the family is a key unit in education. In conclusion, the interview shed some light on very essential aspect regarding education which I was not aware of before and as such I consider it a success.
Trends and issues in early childhood programs
Evaluation programs that are employed to test the comprehension levels of children is also one of the key issues that have occupied the minds of policy makers in the field of education. There are certain testing procedures that teachers have been utilizing yet they fail to meet the required standards and criteria for the intellectual development of young children. This has led policy makers to argue concerning designing and establishing a new, more appropriate curriculum for young children. The proposed curriculum will factor in the diversified needs of children and also consider the required standards of education (Nutbrown, 2014). Inappropriate testing procedures have resulted from the existing poor curriculum as well as the poor methods used in issuing instructions. This makes it necessary for policy makers to take into consideration changes that need to be implemented with regards to issuing of instructions to children as well as the content of the curriculum before they can come up with an appropriate testing procedures.
Testing practices directly influence the performance of children in the education setting and also impacts on the role of education in the intellectual development of children. It is a technique that can help to measure how effective the different methods and approaches teachers undertake when educating children. Nevertheless, the aim of testing should not be to discourage the learners from investing in education. In fact, it ought to motivate children and encourage them to participate in the different levels of education. Placing emphasis on the activities that define and are concerned with the lives of the children is one of the easiest ways of enhancing the interest of children in education and by so doing making them successful in different education levels (Morgan, 2011). For instance, children tend to relate to activities that they engage in while playing during their early life stages mainly because playing is an integral aspect of their lives. This makes incorporation of play in the process of education an appropriate strategy in terms of enhancing performance in school among the younger children. In conclusion, establishing appropriate testing methods can help children succeed in the education initiatives and this forms an important aspect of their intellectual development.
Instructional approach
This is defined as the strategies and methods used in guiding children in the quest to meet the demands of the curriculum. Instructional approach encompasses every technique that are employed by tutors in imparting knowledge to their learners (Dhawan, 2005). It is important to comprehend the capabilities, desires and expectations of children when dealing with them and trying to educate them. Additionally, from my personal assignments and professional experience coupled with the class activities, I comprehend that there is need to adopt a new strategy in offering instructions to children. For example, the classroom should be a social platform that allows children to interact freely hence my approach will entail changing the classroom environment and setting to get rid of the trend where children sit and simply follow the commands of their teachers. I would also embrace a new station of providing instructions which will provide children with the chance to diversify their knowledge from the many educational initiatives. There will also be a role designated for the children in this system because they will be expected to participate in different classroom activities and understanding.
Engaging children in the education process is ultimately one of the most important ways of enhancing their performance and success in education initiatives and activities. This is why I will ensure that my teaching and instructional approach will encompass the engagement of children in the education process. One of the ways that I will do this is through linking the class activities to play activities as well as games and other real life situations that children can relate to. This will enable the children to retain the knowledge gained from class, given that they they will be based on real life activities and events that can actually create mental pictures from which the learners can easily relate with (In Isenberg, In Jalongo & Bredekamp, 2003). Furthermore, I will employ the use of images, diagrams, class activities and visual aids which the children will be able to relate to due to their experiences outside class. The role visual aids is similar to that of real life activities and events because they help to create mental pictures in the minds of children. My instructional approach will therefore focus more on improving the involvement of children in different elements and activities of the learning process as opposed to just being a tutor.
Current philosophy of education and my future in early childhood education
I strongly believe that education plays an important role in the overall development of individuals. It does this by enabling individuals to attain relevant skills that are pertinent for their development, both cognitively and intellectually. It is thus important for young children to be able to connect their education with the features of the environment that surrounds them and also the factors in their environment. The environment should reflect and embrace the physical elements that impact on the manner in which the children get involved in the learning process. The creative curriculum is one of the elements that I would include in my education philosophy. In creative curriculum, there is more investment in improving the involvement of the young learners in the education activities and process (Brandon& Goldman, 2004). Children cannot learn much by copying and following the instructions of their teachers, instead they ought to be given the chance to relate their class activities with real life issues in order to gain the maximum knowledge. This is evidence that in children, the learning process ought to provide an avenue through which they can experiment their knowledge in class. In addition, children ought to offer opportunities that can help them to think critically.
The education philosophy I believe in is aligned to the requirements and propositions of the educational theory of social constructivism. The philosophers who proposed this theory argue that the introduction of a social approach to education is the most appropriate means for fostering success within the education sector. Through the social aspect of education is one, teachers can freely interact with the students in the overall learning process. The use of computers in classrooms is one of the key examples through which children can be able to create fun in the process of education, and ultimately achieve a key aspect of their overall development. By encouraging active participation of children in the classroom, it is possible to improve their critical thinking skills, and thus prepare them for the life to come. I plan to change the lives of children and positively impact on them within the field of education. I will endeavor to engage in activities that will enable children to develop their skills and abilities in education. Nonetheless, both my learning experience and professional experience will contribute significantly to my success as a teacher.
References
Brandon, E. P., & Goldman, M. (2004). The Philosophy in the Philosophy of Education. Teaching Philosophy, 7(1), 1-15.
Dhawan, M. L. (2005). Philosophy of education. Delhi: Isha Books.
In Isenberg, J. P., In Jalongo, M. R., & Bredekamp, S. (2003). Major trends and issues in early childhood education: Challenges, controversies, and insights. New York: Teachers College Press.
Morgan, H. (2011). Early childhood education: History, theory, and practice. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield.
Nutbrown, C. (2014). Early Childhood Education: History, Philosophy and Experience. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications Ltd.