Portfolio
discussion
Some
of you are asking me about the portfolios. As described in the course outline,
they are a collection of writings, and possibly artwork/forms that address the
main issues we are talking about (select at least three topics). By the time the
portfolio is submitted, you will have had some time to think about and process
the information. The portfolio will
integrate both reference to the readings and your own ideas and
perspectives.
For the
topics you pick to focus on, you may need to consider more than one reading.
For instance to be able to think about the goals and practices of
multiculturalism, you will need to look at more than one of the articles (I
recommend including Nieto as well as Denman).
For Gender you will need to consider the article on Boys as well as one
of the ones on girls. Some of you
have already included your own ideas in your journals.
The following questions are from position papers that I have used in
previous years. You do not need to answer all these questions in your
portfolios. However, I am forwarding them as a way for you to identify some
questions where you share your own perspectives and ideas. You are not
expected to answer all the questions. We will discuss the portfolios in class,
Feb 20th.
1)
Purposes and visions in Education
·
According
to authors you have read, what ideals and goals are advocated in schooling
today?
·
What are
your perspectives about what the most central ideals and aims in schooling
should be?
·
How do
these aims and principles relate to your values and beliefs about teaching,
schooling and society?
2)
Education and Cultural Diversity
·
From the
class discussions and readings what do you think multicultural education is? How
have authors defined it and given a rationale for it? and, what are some
recommended strategies/processes for the practice
of multicultural Education?
·
What
personal questions/issues and thoughts do you have about cultural pluralism and
education?
·
What are
your perspectives regarding priorities, practices and policies to address
cultural diversity and discrimination in your teaching practice?
·
What are
the implications of your ideas for curriculum and teaching practices?
·
What do
you think are the challenges for you as a teacher in a multicultural classroom?
Poverty
·
How would
you define poverty?
·
What do
you think is the relationship between poverty and education?
·
What do
you think are the effects of poverty are on education?
·
What do
you think are good school programs to address poverty?
·
What do
you agree with or disagree with in the reading by Levin? Or what do you think
some important points are he brings up?
·
What are
your perspectives/commitments related to this issue?
·
What are
the issues to think about in terms of Gender and Education?
·
What do
the readings, video’s presentations suggest?
·
What do
you agree, or disagree with in the reading?
·
What do
you think are the most important issues?
·
What are
the implications for school programs to address the issues?
·
What do
you think are the most important commitments for you as teachers?
·
What do
you think are the most pressing issues for First Nations Education today?
·
What are
the main issues identified in the readings and what are your thoughts on these?
What do you think are important points? What do you agree or disagree with?
·
What is
the role of the public schools in addressing these?
·
What are
issues related to curriculum, teacher attitudes, behaviors and expectations?
·
What are
your perspectives and personal commitments as a First Nation’s teacher?
·
How do
you think the issues of homophobia can be addressed in the classroom?
·
What are
ways that teachers can prevent homophobia and increase the
sensitivity/understanding of their students about issues of homophobia.
·
How can
students themselves support Gay, Lesbian? Bisexual or transgender students, or
those from GLBT families
·
Generally
what do you think has to happen in schools to address the issues of homophobia
and for it to be inclusive and supportive to all students?