For EDEF 3200, we were asked to read and respond to three different case studies. Each one had a number of questions for the TC to choose from. I decided to go with the cases I felt the most passionate about. Below I have added the three questions and my personal answers.
- How can teachers act responsibly and still be open minded about the use of social media in the classroom?
As a future teacher and educator, I think it is important to be progressive in keeping up with social medias and accept that they are an important part of today’s society. Teachers must act responsible in keeping students safe from the risks of social media. Students can gather false information, accidently access inappropriate content, deal with hackers and bullies and even put themselves at risk for abductions and other criminal activities without even having any idea. As an educator it is important that teachers are keeping close eyes on students who are using social media, even outside of the classroom. Like Renate Wexler says in the case, it is crucial that teachers have discussions with students about the risks of social media and how to keep themselves safe when using the internet. Strong and persuasive resources should be used by the teacher to influence students to understand the risks. Social media can also be a very helpful tool in the classroom, if used properly and safely. Teachers can use things like twitter, blogs, youtube and facebook to enhance students learning. It is the responsibility of the teacher to ensure that if students are required to use social media in the classroom, their content is protected. Teachers can require students to keep their accounts on private settings and make sure the classroom blogs/ twitters/ youtube are only available for viewing by the students in the class. As Jim discussed in the case, teachers are preparing students for the modern world and in many cases today, this means using social media for collaboration and connection in the workplace. Teaching children how to responsibly and safely navigate social media is crucial and keeps children safe while also being open minded to the use of social media.
2. Historically, the celebration of Christian holidays has been taken for granted in Canadian schools. What has happened in Canadian society to make us question the appropriateness of this long-standing tradition?
Canadian schools have long been celebrating the typical Christian holidays. This is likely due to the fact that Europeans are the ones who started the traditional school system we know today. If Europeans were in charge and dedicated specific days to Christian holidays, the schools would also follow in suit. Holidays in Canada are majority Christian, statutory holidays do not include anything from other cultures. Schools are not in session on many Christian holidays, which makes it difficult to avoid bringing those holidays into your classroom. For example, the day before Good Friday, students are likely excited about the Easter Bunny. For Halloween, students are in classes still, but the majority of Canadians will celebrate Halloween in some way or another. I think that Halloween is a simple holiday that does not belittle any other culture or faith. Having it as part of schools is not near as dramatic as Christmas concerts or parades. I think the reason that this is beginning to be changed in school is because schools are no longer Christian based. Historically schools celebrated Christian holidays because the majority of the students were Christian. This is no longer the case and therefore changes have began to be made subtly, with attempts to keep all parents and students from having any major reactions like the one Kim did in the case. Even in my school experiences, schools have began shifting away from using Christmas songs that are religious based, or even religious discussions. As more and more international students become Canadian citizens, it is the schools job to create a culturally safe environment for them. If this means that schools need to cut back on Christian celebrations, then that is what should be happening.
3. Although this case highlights how typical gender expectations are challenged, how might Kate actually be reinforcing gender stereotypes?
In this case, Kate really creates her own gender expectations because she considers herself to be outside of the gender norms. Instead of going into the school with the expectations that she will be treated just like any other human being, she creates an anxiety about how she will be judged and treated because she did not fit the typical gender confinement. I totally understand these anxieties, but I also think she is setting herself up for a negative experience by going into the school with those ideas already placed in her head. By anticipating that her profession is going to be illegitimized, she is questioning her own legitimacy, which creates that circle of doubt. She creates her own stereotype by being shocked at the numbers of male students who want to be caregivers, a job she considers to be more feminine. She does make that connection that her gender assumptions about males were created by her own cultural background and are not always accurate. By being so private about her life, she is showing her students that if you do not fit into the traditional gender roles, you should be ashamed or hide your life from others. Instead of being open and confident about her sexuality and gender role, she really demonstrates to her students that being outside of traditional roles is a bad thing and should not be talked about. I think she has her own gender stereotypes that are hurting her own self, instead of other people hurting her like she assumes they will.