Journal

EDU599

Research Project

Tuesday, February 10th

Classes began with a one hour delay due to weather. which is
extremely rare since this is a residential program and only on rare
occasions are there delays due to weather. some how I managed to
accept the only teaching job in PA without the occasional perk of a
snow day to catch up ;(
After attending the EDU599 class last evening, I decided to alter my
approach to my culminating project and will attempt to look at my
topic from a different angle; one that takes a look at the underlying
issues affecting curriculum in alternative education. Today, I asked a
few students questions about motivationsuch as What motivates
you? And what motivates you to learn in art class? The students
struggled to verbally find a definitive answer, but the most common
answer was simply encouragement.
Thursday, February 12th
Reflection on student perception of my teaching:
I am trying to institute a method of structure, flexibility, individual
choices and patience. demonstrating compassion students DO
realize that you are invested and that you really do care. so
important in reaching this population of students. There has to be a
therapeutic idea of adjusting curriculum to fit student needs for
example, a student who asked to make a collage card for another
student who was leaving the program. This was extremely important to
him, as a way of saying goodbye, so I allowed for the change. This
confirms that the need exists for a less systematic program level and
more of an interpersonal level. am I seeing behavior changes?
Tuesday, February 10th
Brief meeting with critical friend, Smittyaka Mr. Smitty to students,
aka the Social Studies/Psychology teacher. We had a brief conversation
at lunch about his thoughts on choice-based teaching and learning. He
was not a big fan of this type of learning especially in his class, which
is more conducive to whole class discussion.
Wednesday, February 11th
Updated Advisor and critical friend, John Heusser at my AE400 night
class.
Friday, February 13th

Attended the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center to hear

Russian composers. While listening, I am reminded that Stravinsky
wrote Symphony in C during a very personal and historical time for
him. He lost three of his close family members within a short time. This
symphony was an outpouring of personal emotionmuch like art
should be for my students. art is an outlet for emotion and
expression.
Monday, February 16th
Writing this as a reflection of the EDU599 class tonightlistening to so
many other student research projects that have research projects with
a creative component (probably more than half of the class) why,
then is it so difficult for academia to realize the value of the arts???
Tuesday, February 17th
In two of my classes today, I taught a whole class lesson, seeing the
need for simple basic technique presentation of materials, and for
some, the first time using this type of materials. I conducted a
demonstration on charcoal pencil technique and explained charcoal
drawing methods and materials. For the most part, most students were
cooperative and interested. However, two students refused to
cooperate. I tried encouragement, infusing excitement in trying new
things, as well as support if they needed help. It was the same two
students who seek attention in every setting. What to do?