Module 5

Finding out the motivators behind a student's success is how teachers will get the most out of their classrooms. Chapter 12 "Learning and Motivation goes into heavy detail about this exact idea. There are many factors that can go into the final outcome of what some might think is an 'A'. Each student is different and therefore the motivators and individual goals are different. In order to decipher these aspects, one must look at a student cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally. Extrinsic and intrinsic motivators play a large role and appear quite differently even though they are on the same spectrum. Intrinsic motivators are those that are done when the individual has no obligation to do so. Extrinsic, on the other hand, include outside forces acting on the outcome. I think motivators, and discovering what those are in each of my students will be key in their success.

When students walk into my classroom, that is exactly what he or she will be doing: walking into my classroom. I determine the strategy, goals, and the best implementation of things I see fit. As mentioned about, each student is different and needs to be catered to. No student should be left behind, no matter how different or similar. Chapter 14 "Teaching Every Student" states in clearly in the given title. I agree with the text when it states that proper training and knowledge is crucial in the success of the classroom and the teacher, him or herself. There's a difference when teaching facts or memorization, compared to that of empathy or relationship building. The resources and different activities need to be tailored to the students especially when they are different from the norm. That does not mean either is right or wrong, but the needs of the student must be met.

Chapter 15 discusses a touchy subject of "Classroom Assessment, Grading and Standardized Testing". The effects and methods that are discussed in this chapter I agree mostly with, but that could all change when I step into the classroom and see how my students react to such. Learning should be fun and engaging. If students are just in the classroom to get the highest grade or pass the test, then we are failing them as a whole. As each of these chapters focuses on, every student is different. Grading scales may differ, assessments may differ, there is no uniform to these things or at least there shouldn't be because there is no uniform of a student. Although most administrations most likely want to see numbers regarding the students because it is easier to understand and compare or contrast, the best answer is hidden within the assessments where the student is able to be observed on their knowledge. From my conversations with other teachers, it seems as if more and more schools are obsessed with the numbers, and that scares me because again, we are not serving our students, which is what we were all called to do.