Teachers and Students as Co-learners: Motivaiton to Learn

By Jessica Pawlowski

College of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post Campus
September , 2010

Everyday I enjoy Prof. Boyanton’s class more and more. We learn important and factual information in a fun way, rather than an afflictive and horrific manner. Most professors that I have had, don’t allow students to share their emotions, feelings, and opinions. In this class; however, that is not the case at all. Each student shares their life time experiences, as well as opinions. This is what makes class more meaningful and fun. I believe that each student does not mind learning the needed information, because we relate everything to group discussions and real personal experiences.

I really enjoy the first task of the day, which is reading the selected journals by my fellow classmates. I enjoy this, because it allows me to read and relate to what other students are feeling. As a future teacher, I hope that my students will have respect for their classmates and will be able to listen to their opinions and emotions. I believe respect, as we talked about in class today, is an important characteristic that all students and adolescence should learn and engross. I was taught at a young age to have respect for my elders. I truly believe that one cannot go far in life if they do not have respect for others.

The next assignment that we did in class was breaking up into groups of four, and describing and listing characteristics of adolescences. It is truly important for educators, especially those who will be teaching middle and high school, to know the psychology of young teenagers and how they think. Each group shared similar characteristics. Each group agreed that this is a time period where young teenagers are trying to find themselves. They are almost going through a “mid life crisis,” because they are trying to find their identity and learn about themselves. Each group also agreed that young teenagers are losing respect and appreciation for those around them, especially their elders.

Growing up, I was one of five and my parents were strict; however, not extremely strict in which we would become rebellious. They taught us at a young age what was expected of us and their guidelines and rules. Consequently, as we grew up, listened, we gained more trust as well as freedom. I believe this is very important, because my parents were strict but not overbearing. I believe that most parents don’t know how to control their children and set guidelines. This is why teenagers become rebellious and do what they want to do. I strongly believe in teachers, as well as parents setting guidelines and rules at a young age, this will truly end or prevent them from misbehaving. As I said before, I really enjoyed this group discussion, because it allowed each student to share their experiences with adolescences and what we could do for them instead of controlling them. As Prof. Boyanton said while ending class; a teacher should not only teach, but learn with their students, give advice, and guide them.