Alex

3. Do you agree or disagree with the implications of the teacher remarks listed in Table 1.1? Explain why.

The discussion surrounding Table 1.1 was a bit of an Aha moment for me. I think the difference between saying, "Stop what you are doing or else..." and something that appeals more to students' emotions ("I feel frustrated because...") or something that appeals more to students' problem-solving abilities is huge. This has changed the way I think about how we ask students to get back on task. I think the first example (the "or else" statement) brings down the enthusiasm of the group and automatically makes the task at hand seem more like a chore, rather than a fun learning activity. It changes the way kids participate in a group discussion. If you put the responsibility on them, on the other hand, they may respond more positively and take ownership of that cooperative learning group.