Module 2: Article 1 and 2

Article 1:

New science curriculum guidelines will give kids more hands on education

http://centralny.ynn.com/content/top_stories/670021/new-science-curriculum-guidelines-will-give-kids-more-hands-on-education/

Science is a dynamic subject. The way science has been taught and implemented within the classroom throughout several years is continually changing. Katie Gibas writes an extraordinary article that explains the new shift in science education. 

Gibas states, "In science it is crucial that we create hands on experiences in which students are able to fully understand the principles of science and then allow them to explore and be engaged on their own." The new standards do just that. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are creating revolutionary ways to teach science and teachers will be involved in the learning process all summer long. The new movements may take years to fully be implemented. But the students will be provided with a new way of thinking and tools to explore on his or her own.  The NGSS provide students with higher order thinking skills and teach new world concepts. Students everywhere will be highly engaged and their learning will be relevant to what is occurring around the world. 

As a teacher, I believe these are the changes we need within the classroom. Often times teachers are reviewing for tests in order to make sure test scores are for ever increasing. Science is often pushed to the end of the day and even squeezed in. Children rarely are able to get involved in the experiments. They may even just watch the teacher complete a demonstration. The NGSS will improve science within all classrooms, and students will be presented with authentic instruction. They will be involved in the learning process and will be presented with hands on learning. I can't wait to be held accountable for teaching the new standards and ensuring that science is fun for all children. I think this is an extraordinary movement in the education of science. 

Article 2:

Report: Humanities, social science education needed for innovation along with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/report-humanities-social-science-education-needed-along-with-stem/2013/06/18/76076df6-d83e-11e2-a016-92547bf094cc_story.html

As China, Singapore and several European nations are boosting the humanities as “a stimulus to innovation and a source of social cohesion — we (United States) are instead narrowing our focus and abandoning our sense of what education has been and should continue to be — our sense of what makes America great,” Lynh states. 

As a 21st century learner we are putting more and more emphasis on reading and math rather than science and social studies. This expectation is hindering the learning of students from kindergarten through college. Thus, our careers are lacking as well as the knowledge of those in specific career fields in both science and technology. I believe that if the United States keeps this attitude we may soon fall behind other countries in science and technological advances. That is a scary thought, when after Sputnik we fought so hard to be a leader in production of technology and sciences. What does this mean for the education of our students?

As a teacher I think that our children are missing out. It is our job to make learning fun.  In this era of learning, technology is forever taking control. So many of our students have at least 4 or 5 technological devices. Why not take advantage of them and use them in education? I feel that if we are able to combine the use of technology and science, learning will become more student centered and eventually lead to higher order thinking. I believe that the new standards that are being implemented from the NGSS will do just this. I believe that these new standards will help change science from now on.  

If we work to improve our teaching practices, our students will leave our classroom with more knowledge about science and technology. Like the article states, "A liberal-arts education combined with STEM disciplines could improve innovation and inventiveness among the American workforce."