Beachwood Middle School

Our class field/observation trip to Beachwood middle school, was very interesting, however left me with mixed feelings upon my return to campus. First of all, I must admit, that the staff at the school was very helpful and welcoming and the facilities incredible. I don't think that in my life I have ever seen a school so modern, and so highly technologically equipped with such a multitude of educational tools. That was incredible! However, it made me think of the inequality in the educational system here in the United States. How schools that are located in wealthy neighborhoods are able to enjoy such luxuries, whereas other schools located in East Cleveland and down in the inner city, need to beg for equipment every year because they can't afford it. Anyhow, I attended two different classes during our trip, and was paired up with two friends and classmates, Ally Klimko and Katie Cavassini. The first class we visited and had the opportunity to observe was a seventh grade social studies class (I myself am a history major so I was lucky to be able to observe a class). This class relied a lot upon the use of modern technology and optioacoustic media during the lesson. The teacher sat behind his desk in the far left corner of the class, while the students, backs facing to him, where constantly either on their laptops or staring directly at a huge screen on the front wall of the class. The lesson we saw was about life in the middle ages. The kids were learning about castles, and fortresses, knights, kings and queens, peasants, armor, how houses and towns were built in the 1200's etc. A very interesting topic that I loved to learn about in junior high school myself. They all had blogs, similar to what we have in our ED 100 class, and every day, for homework, had to answer a series of questions posted on the class web page by their teacher, in their own blog so the whole class could see what they answered. They also had to conduct their own research on the web, downloading pictures and music and incorporating them within their blogs. There was also something like a chat, where they could ask questions to their professor if they needed to, or if they struggled with their homework. The kids watched a lot of videos in class, and listened to medieval music in order to get deeper into the concept. Don't get me wrong in any way, the teacher in the class had done impressive work, using technology as a primary tool of teaching these twelve and thirteen year-olds history. It was amazing to see these kids so familiar with everything, simultaneously working on their laptops, typing, listening, answering questions, having their little passwords, and email addresses and usernames was unbelievable. At age twelve, they probably know how to use a computer better than I do and that was impressive. However, and this didn't strike me until after a couple of days, I personally think it was a little too intense. I myself, prefer the traditional way combined with a modern way of teaching my students. Standing up in front of them, never sitting down, reading to them from an actual book, not from some website while they can't see me. I feel it is necessary for the student to have a clear view of the teacher while he is receiving information. I use technology as well, when I teach my kids. I show them videos and play music for them so that they can get used to the Greek language. However I do it sporadically, because I feel that there should be a limit with everything including technology. I am not a fan of the fact, that in ten years as estimates prove, kids won't need books or notebooks anymore, everything will be done electronically. I believe that it is important, if not crucial, that the students interact with each other and the teacher, and not just stare at their laptops or at a big screen. We were there for roughly an hour, and more than 75% of class time was attributed to lecture via a computer screen. I feel that kids need both, and need to be balanced out and that a teacher should always be facing them. I also didn't feel like the teacher was very approachable and it was hard asking him questions and concerns about how the class is taught.

The next class we visited was a reading and writing class. The teacher who was a woman, was very welcoming and explained to us in detail how she teaches and structures her classroom. First of all, the kids (again seventh grade I believe), were all sitting in a big square of desks, and they could all see each other. I think that is very important. Then each student would be assigned a reading, or a character in the story, which he/she practiced at home, and then read to the rest of the class. While we  were there they were reading a story about a family celebrating Hanukkah and having guests over. The kids all respected the boy who was the narrator, and the rest of the students who were assigned to read for the day. They all had books in front of them, however there was also a big screen were the reading was also visible in case someone left their book at home. That was very smart, as young kids tend to leave their material at home very often. I am at college and still do many times as well! They all had notebooks open right by their laptops and were instructed to write down vocabulary words from the texts, and find their meaning. The teacher said she focused a lot on their writing skills, and had them writing a lot of essays and comprehension questions at home, due to the fact that exams, as she said are becoming more and more difficult and competitive. Compared to the other class the students were a little louder and talked to each other, but for me personally it is more pleasurable seeing them interact with each other, and laugh a little and giggle than be focused on their laptops the whole time. In general I have to admit, that this was a great experience for me and would again like to thank Beachwood Middle School for letting us visit them and observe, and also Dr. Shutkin for arranging the trip. I would definitely consider visiting the school again and possibly observing another one of their classes just for fun.