Monday, February 15, 2010

Changing the stereotypes of psychology class

Changing the stereotypes of psychology class

By Hailey Feldman
EDI 15A Psychological Perspective: Teaching & Learning
School of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
January 29, 2010

Switching out of Italian and enrolling in EDI 15A was the best decision I have made this month! Though I was nervous entering into a class that had previously met three times, I was welcomed with open arms. The classroom environment is truly unique in its warmth and creativity. My idea of a psychology class has been completely negated. I always imagined a psychology class being taught by a tall decrepit old man who showed videos of pre-frontal lobotomies and discussed Freud’s Oedipus Complex.

Thankfully, this was not the case. Learning about Erickson’s eight stages of human development was incredibly engaging and insightful. I felt like all of his statements were very real to me, and could easily be applied to life. I especially liked how he emphasized the importance of acknowledgment. It is so important to not only acknowledge students, but also to people who play a role in your everyday life. The only hesitation I have with Erickson’s theory is that he does not mention a potential transcendence of stages. I think there are definite gray areas when dealing with child and adolescent development. Lastly, I begin my student teaching tomorrow morning at East Woods School. I look forward to being apart of this great group of women!

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