Digital+Storytelling

media type="file" key="PhotoStory1.wmv" align="center" width="300" height="300" ** Sophie Egan’s Philosophy of Education **

Picture one: Briefly, my philosophy of education is teaching children in a community setting to become successful adult citizens in today’s ever-changing world.
=== Picture two: The obstacles children face today are more complex and much scarier than what children have had to face in past generations. They are constantly bombarded with technological distractions. Technology brings us to a new playing level. Everyone has the ability to access unlimited number of resources and many that give misleading or miscellaneous content. === === Picture three: It also is being used in new ways. Social networking is huge, but it allows for a new way to bully and attack. Rumors can reach the entire school population with a push of a button. Technology also brings children closer to people who may be preying on them, such as pedophiles. === === Picture 4: As scary as all of this seems, it is important to keep technology in the classroom. Why? That is simple, because children crave it. It is important to them. If you teach the content with the child in mind, using things that they love, they will learn better. Since technology is important to today’s children, it should be incorporated into the lesson plans as much as possible. Technology is a facilitator that really connects children to the content of what is being taught. === === Picture 5: It is also very important to keep children up to date with technology because it is not going away, and it is constantly changing. In order for the children of today to become successful, competitive adults in tomorrows society, they need to know how to successfully use current technology. Just as important, children need to be taught of the proper way to use technology and the dangers that exist from using it. === === Picture 6: The key to a successful learning environment, is whether or not the children feel safe. If they do not feel safe, for example threatened or bullied, optimal learning cannot occur. That is why I believe it is most important to create a community in the classroom that is regulated by common sense rules, such as no bullying, and acceptance. ===

Picture 7: A community that stresses the importance that everyone feels welcomed, everyone is important, no one is a number, and no one gets left out.
=== Picture 8: In order to build a tight-knit community it is important to get to know your students. Get to know you questionnaires should be sent out at the beginning of school to find out more about the children and about what they like. === === Picture 9: These questionnaires can not only be used to help the teacher find a medium in which to teach content, it also can help build common ground between two or more students who thought they had nothing in common before, building friendship and community, by discovering a common interest. ===

Picture 11: The best way to connect with others is to laugh and be silly with them.
=== Picture 12: It is important that each person is celebrated and appreciated for who they are, focusing on their most positive attributes. It is also important to make sure that each child know how important they are to the community as a whole. ===

Picture 13: Bring family and other community members into the classroom. Parents and family are the best, because they are who the student cares most about.
=== Picture 14: Children also need to see the relationship they have to the larger community. . Doing a community project that is important to the children is not only meaningful to them because they are helping others, it also gives the students a sense of pride, a sense of accomplishment. === === Picture 15: Forming a community in the classroom helps children form good self-esteem, it gives them a sense of belonging and pride for their classroom. Eliminating bullying, individuals who feel left out, and negative attitudes towards learning. Building a community is key to creating a conductive learning environment! ===

Picture 20: Some need the tactile hands-on environment.
=== Picture 21: Every student has their own learning process that works best for them. It is very important to divide your lesson plans into many different activities so that every child has the optimal environment for learning. ===

Picture 24: Keep the content current, switch it around, make sure the kids are having fun and are active. These are all essential to student academic success.
=== Picture 25: Children are precious! They are our future! The best way to prepare them for the future is through education. Education is key in turning the children of today into the successful citizens of tomorrow! ===