Pedagogy Schmedagogy? I don't think so...

As I have reviewed various teaching strategies, I have found that the possibilities are endless. There are pedagogical techniques for every student with individualized needs. Subject matter can be taught by direct modeling and hand over hand strategies, or through hands on and exploration techniques. Students can be introduced to material through a book or a movie and then can practice and review knowledge and skills acquired through games. Scaffolding and having groups become experts on a topic are popular ways of teaching as well. The key to pedagogy is assessing the curriculum and the student’s needs. The most important thing is to find a way for the student to access the material in a way that is meaningful and memorable to them.

As I taught ESL last year I found that my teaching techniques changed many times during one lesson as I would use one technique for direct instruction, another for application, and a third to check the students’ recall of the information. I used all sorts of strategies from singing songs, to reading books, to direct instruction, to playing games, and to class discussion. Understanding the needs of the students and then actively seeking out techniques that would be most effective was crucial to my success teaching.

Internet Safety

After watching the videos on iSafe I was surprised at how much I did not previously know about Internet safety. I thought that I had been pretty careful in the information that I display on the internet, but I realized that I have broken a few basic internet safety rules before and realized that many of my friends had broken many and were compromising their safety if pretty big ways.

Before watching this film I did not realize how telling a screen name could be, for example, or how much personal information I am willing to give in a casual conversation such as what activities or organizations that I participate in. I was also so surprised at the amount of hurtful things people tell each other over the Internet. Some of the saddest stories to me were the ones in which the individual knew at some level what they were doing (flirting, etc.) but did not think through the consequences of their actions. As I watched these films I thought of my little sisters who are beautiful, smart, and computer savvy, as well as curious, naïve, and capable of oversight and lack of judgment at times like everyone. I realized how this is for individuals everywhere to be aware of the dangers of the Internet.

I also loved M. Russell Ballard's talk Let Our Voices Be Heard, I thought it made our standards and our purposes for them so clear. In it he stated that our biggest challenge is "to choose wisely what we listen to and what we watch." In it he also outlined the church's guidelines for safe use of Internet and the TV in which he included seven things that parents should do to help protect their family from the negative influences that can be felt. They are:

1. Hold family councils to decide media standards.

2. Spend quality time with children.

3. Make good media choices and set a good example for children.

4. Limit the amount of TV/videogame/internet time.

5. Use Internet and TV filters.

6. Have TVs and computers in commonly used rooms.

7. Watch uplifting media with children and discuss the choices they are making.

As a teacher I feel like it is important to teach basic internet safety guidelines for students before they are asked to use it. I think that basic information sheets should also be sent home to parents to make them more aware and if they are interested, conduct an Internet safety workshop.

As far as the guidelines put out on the church's website, I thought they were inspired and insightful council. I think that suggestions such as moving computers to more used rooms are things that anyone in the family could suggest. I personally went home and shared things that I learned with my family and they were pretty receptive. Good communication is crucial in overcoming any obstacle that families may face and so any member of the family can and should begin the Internet Safety dialogue with their family.