A Stop-Motion VideoIntroductionIt was very difficult for me to define the central question for this summation because I have so much data that I consider to be significant to synthesize and to present visually. To resolve this question, I reviewed the contents of this course and briefly sorted the contents into different topics. The most prevalent topic seemed to be the sharing of numerous differences in education between the U.S. and China. This comparison generates many critical thoughts which are difficult to portray visually. However, I heard many wonderful suggestions from peers and most of them suggested to emphasize contrast and comparison of education beliefs and teaching methods between in the U.S. and China. I have a strong interest in this question, but in addition I had a second problem which was how to connect these comparisons to myself and how did my perceptions transform from beginning to the end of this course? Based on this question, I re-synthesized the data that I collected. I then divided them into two categories – teaching methods and education beliefs. After that, I started re-writing the narratives which can be seen below. According to the narratives, I started working on the storyboard and the following questions ensued: How do I present my transformation visually? How can I transform the written data to visual dynamic image? Kayla’s educational lineage tree is what I want to create, however, I did not know what kind of software to use. Well, thanks to Kayla’s help, I figured out how to use the new technology. Honestly, it took a long time to make a stop-motion video, however, it is worthwhile to create such unique video. Back to the images, I focused on each narrative and tried to think about the visual scenes related to it. This process of making stop-motion video is complicated and overwhelming, however, I cherished the opportunity to try a new app and to experience the making of a new kind of video. Most importantly, I explored this central question on my way to becoming a future teacher. I think this video is very meaningful to me presently and in the future, because this will be a friendly remembrance to me of my travel down the road to becoming a teacher. I understand that my memory of the contents of this course will eventually be forgotten to some extend, however the quintessence I have received will be remembered because of this stop-motion video, and because the ideas from this video are essential to me. In addition to the video, I’d like to share some thoughts about the teaching methods and the education beliefs that I personally believe are essential to be a good teacher. I was taught that U.S. education is considered to be the best education in the world. I do not know whether it is right or wrong, however, I have to say my preconceived notion of education in the U.S. was different from reality to some degree. It reminds me of my undergrad advisor Dr. Shi who always reminds students that we have to explore the world by ourselves with first hand experiences, and be cautious to accept as fact those that have been transformed many times. So now with so many personal experiences, I have transformed from a young girl to an “experienced” pre-service teacher. I hope I can really implement some methods that I mentioned in the video in the future, but I know I might change a little bit based on future classes. Moreover, I have a better understanding of students who come from poor families, and I think it is vital to know how to teach and work with students living in poverty in case I am placed in a school where the majority of students live in poverty. Certainly, I have gradually come to realize why impoverished families in the U.S. do not emphasize education for their children, even though I have not experienced direct contact with the situation of those families. Thanks to Amy Bauer’s help, she highly recommends reading the book titled A Framework of Understanding Poverty which was very helpful for me, a foreigner here, to understand the real situation. I feel like we cannot say which countries’ education are best, because every country has its own education “problems”. However, nowadays many scholars suggest to follow the example of American education ignoring the real circumstances existing in China. It is difficult to copy other countries’ systems without considering the reality of all the environmental factors. Anyway, I have gradually grown up from the little sapling and I am proceeding along my path to becoming a teacher. Reference Palmer, Parker J. (1983). "To know as we are known: Education as a spiritual journey." Payne, R. (1996). Understanding and working with students and adults from poverty. Instructional Leader, 9(2). Palmer, P. J. (1997). The heart of a teacher identity and integrity in teaching. Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning, 29(6), 14-21. Chen, C., & Uttal, D. H. (1988). Cultural values, parents’ beliefs, and children’s achievement in the United States and China. Human Development, 31(6), 351-358. Payne, R. K. (2005). A framework for understanding poverty. Marzano, R. J., & Boogren, T. (2009). Becoming a reflective teacher. Solution Tree Press. Uhl, C., & Stuchul, D. L. (2011). Teaching as if Life Matters. Starr, D. (2012). China and the Confusian Education Model. Universitas 21. Zeichner, K. M., & Liston, D. P. (2013). Reflective teaching: An introduction. Routledge. Tough, P. (2016). How Kids Learn Resilience. The Atlantic Magazine. DrawingsStoryboard![]()
Peer responseTo Becky
Wow, I love your Prezi!!! I want to learn this presentation format!! I am impressed by your trust – you really trust in yourself. I think this is an essential part of life. I am not confident, so sometimes I do not trust myself, even doubt myself. I really care about RIGHT & WRONG. Well, I can definitely sense how confident you are and you are more mature comparing with the time in week 3 that you mentioned “I am tentative of this curriculum being ‘right’”. Through this course, I have the same feeling that we should believe in students and develop the trust between students and us. I also noticed that you grow up about questioning. That is so important. In addition, SAFETY, I have not noticed this from my data, wow, really fresh, and I also want to create a safety in my classroom. I learn so much from your summative reflection! You make an excellent job! to edit.
3 Comments
Melissa
5/6/2017 02:28:49 pm
WOW!!!!!!!!
Reply
Andrea
5/7/2017 07:16:45 am
WOW.
Reply
Becky H
5/7/2017 08:46:54 am
Wow Jenny!
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