The following are responses to certain scenarios in case studies, that were used to analyze libraries, to show ostracization in the classroom and how to help students success, and what it looks like to be a quality educator. 

The Suit’s for Wearing 

Philosophy

What do you think it means to be a quality educator? 

Being a quality educator has a variety of different factors. Looking at the article it is evident that Morris Dyer has a very good idea of what it means to be a quality educator. It is seen with the actions he takes to recognize that different students need different ways of teaching and understanding. It is clear that the “corner girls” had been put in a ostracizing situation, and had been categorized by the teacher along with the students, making them seem unapproachable, and maybe not even keen to learn. This was a very big initial mistake that was taken in these girls’ education. It seemed that their needs were not being met before the activity. It took the teacher until after the assessment to recognize that they were not understanding what was expected and that he needed to re-evaluate what worked for them. I think this does show a good quality educator characteristic from Morris Dyer’s re-evaluation, but I also think that there could have been more done. He could have spoken with the girls ahead of time, checking in to see if they were comprehending what was expected after he initially thought their success would not be great. 

With this being said, I think it is my due diligence that I acknowledge what my idea of a quality educator is. I think a quality educator looks like someone efficient with time management, self-reflective, constantly re-evaluating teaching effectiveness, listens to the student’s needs, and provides accessibility to things that will benefit a student’s education. I also think that this doesn’t just happen overnight, but it is worked toward and built through experience. You can see that Morris Dyer is acknowledging that more can be done for the “corner girls”, and is taking the steps to help better educate them by acknowledging and self-reflecting on this learning experience.

Let them eat cake 

History:

In the past, libraries and books were at the heart of the new educational enterprise, but with the ascendance of new technologies and media, they are now vanishing from schools at an alarming rate, Is there a role for libraries and if so, what is it? Explain your response.

I think the article gives a good idea of why libraries are so valuable. First off, libraries are a hub of information that does not require charging or electronics to get the information you need. There is something so valuable with being able to flip through pages, and having the information at your fingertips. Secondly, it is eliminating such a great communal resource for all of the people at the school. Alongside, it is shifting so heavily to the reliance on technology that could be concerning. Having online resources is great for convenience, but having the option to walk to your school’s library, ask the librarian where certain subjects are, and be surrounded by relevant information is valuable because it requires effort acquiring the knowledge, opposed to looking it up on the internet. I think this convenience aspect is also concerning, because it may teach future generations that working to find something, or working towards something is out of reach, as things are so easily attained on the internet. Thirdly, important aspects of libraries are being able to help students navigate through the world of misconceptions or misinformation. Lastly, although it may seem nice to have library books dispersed amongst the school, it does not allow for students to have as much variety. It may force them to rely more heavily on getting resources through the use of technology. Overall, I think that getting rid of libraries is not the best strategy for student’s education. But it is understandable as we are moving into a society more technologically dependent. I may not agreeing with it, but I understand why they are shifting towards it. 

Alone in a Crowd

Sociology 

Darlene is clearly marginalized in Jim’s classroom. What are the signs of marginal status and how might she be better integrated with her peers? As it is shown, Darlene is marginalized from the classroom. Her peers are avoiding talking to her and undermining her in ways that do not validate how she is feeling. She is also not receiving the support she needs from the teacher or the students. Darlene is marginalized because she is having a hard time with the busyness and volume of the class. When she finds it too overwhelming, she has an outburst and says things she doesn’t mean. These outbursts cause a reaction from her classmates causing her to feel small and overwhelmed. A way to integrate Darlene into the classroom that is productive and mindful of her as a student with special needs would be to have an available CEA in the classroom.  Allow her to do things that keep her calm, reading, drawing, or just closing her eyes and following helpful coping tools. Another way that might be effective in bringing attention to all of the students that when things get out of hand, there can be a sign to calm it down. Maybe clapping, a bell, or flashing the lights. The teacher can use this strategy to create a quieter atmosphere, and this may help Darlene with coping. Jim makes a point at the end of the article about the differentiation of space.  I think this would be a valuable tool for Darlene. There could be a spot in the classroom for her to go when she is feeling overwhelmed and needs space, and needs some time to work through her coping steps. Overall, I think being aware that every student has certain things they need to be productive during the day and understand how or when to use them is essential for student’s success.Â