Activity 1.1: Response to our First Class

Activity 1.1: Response to our First Class

My Thoughts: My thoughts after our first class are, mixed. On-line classes can take away from the personal connections of the traditional classroom environment. Often there are technical issues that interfere with participation and learning. I prefer face-to-face classroom experiences. We have a diverse group of students as far as gender, age, race, ethnicity, experiences, and areas of study. This should allow for interesting class discussions.  Dr. Usher has high standards and expectations for our written products, which will be challenging but beneficial with the result, becoming better communicators and teachers. I will learn a great deal if I immersed myself into this intensive, condensed course.

The Johnny and Monty Exercise: The class seemed more sensitive and caring for the boy, Johnny than for the dog, Monty. We offered various explanations and solutions for Johnny’s behavior. We were quick to conclude that Monty should be “put down” if veterinary medicine could not help him to live a happy and pain free life. If Monty were a boy rather than a dog, few would have so quickly endorsed euthanasia as an option. Humans deserve the same kind of consideration and dignity.

Formalisms with Johnny: A formalism is, according to Wikipedia.com (2013) and Dr. Usher’s “Writing Resources” link on her blog, making a generalization that does not consider the importance of the cultural or biographical context of a particular situation. Our group did not use formalisms in regards to Johnny. We tried to exam his unique circumstances by not generalizing. We considered numerous reasons for his change in behavior at age 12 as well as suggestions for his parents and school staff to improve his particular circumstances and outcomes.

Story of Mullah: Anees Azeez, (2013, deccanherald.com), states that “The Lost Key”, is an allegory. An allegory is a parable or metaphor, which has a hidden meaning or moral, often political in nature (2013, Google.com). I agree with Ramesh Soni (2013, speakingtree.in) who suggests that the key Mullah is looking for is a symbol that which all people are searching for, the key to happiness, bliss, freedom, God, or peace, for example. The story is humorous on the surface, but the lesson is that people need to look with themselves, into the darkness, to find the key. Teachers need to look beyond the obvious light, to dig deeper into the personal story or “darkness” of each student, to reach them, so they can learn at the highest level. This is the key to teaching. In the case of Johnny, it is important to look beyond the light, into a darkness, which may be disturbing or frightening, but maybe the key to educating Johnny, or more importantly, saving his life and bringing him back into the light.

My Thoughts Now:  I must be willing to search my inner darkness to find the key to becoming the best person, and teacher I can be. This will not only benefit me, but also my students.  This class may help lead me into that darkness and back out into the light of renewed introspection.