Critical Thinking Responses
Response to Karen Post
Karen’s posting examines the effects students, experience on their learning and desire to attain advanced study levels by foreign language anxiety. The instructor looked at the study in the Korean University analyzing the impact of a foreign language anxiety on students studying the foreign language. She also had an interest on the motivational effects on the student’s goals.
Through her own experience of teaching foreign language, Karen strongly felt the existence of a difference in stress levels of various learning modes. The foreign language anxiety findings validated Karen beliefs. The study found a significant difference in anxiety levels, which were reportedly, higher in those learning to speak than those learning to converse. Karen concurs with the author that high achievement expectations demonstrated by students suggest no motivational statistical difference exists between the two groups, but thinks this may be influenced by the education system.
Motivation levels may vary between cultures due to different ways in which they approach their learning system. No culture may be inferior or superior to another because their values and principles vary according to the importance attached to learning. Motivation to excellence can be promoted by identifying the need for proper strategies and implementing them. Anxiety can be a negative factor in the success of learner due to the possible impact on the self-confidence of the learner.
Karen’s post provides insights into the importance of research in education. Her suggestion of in cooperating research findings into daily learning process should be highly appreciated and adopted. The way to advance performance of teachers and students can effectively be achieved through this method. All those aspiring to advance in the teaching profession should consider equipping themselves with research knowledge and skills.
Response to Jones post
Jones focuses on the effects of absenteeism in elementary students to their arts language, reasons why it occurs and methods of combating it. Absenteeism contributes significantly to decrease in the student’s performance. Sometimes it becomes impossible for teachers to assist their students because they are rarely available. The poor performance by these students cannot be used to judge the teachers because the reasons for absenteeism may be beyond their reproach.
Jones recommends that teachers, administrators and stakeholders must know the causes of absenteeism in order to combat it. This can be achieved by developing meaningful professional training programs for educators. Very few educators have proper training on their roles and how to fight absenteeism. Incorporation of research involving all stakeholders in the education sector will be necessary.
Suggestions and recommendations must be put in place, to tackle both emerging issues and problems. Stakeholders should be informed of their contribution to the success of the learning process. A participatory approach will be crucial in identifying and solving the problems facing the institution. All teachers, from all departments, should give their contributions on how to draft the way forward. Always emphasizing the importance of research presents a better platform for improving the teacher’s performance.
Response to Shalonda post
Shalonda examines whether teaching reading skills before exams had a positive impact on reading comprehension scores. She cites a study that looked at the outcome of teaching multiple reading strategies to learners of the English language in the middle grade. The study implemented three strategies; read-a loud, comprehension and vocabulary enrichment strategies. Each tested a different aspect of understanding among students using varied examples.
Strategies used in learning benefit all students, and not just the target group. Using research findings in your class must be recommended to help students achieve higher scores. A teacher must appreciate the enlightenment obtained through research data. Broadening of the perspective of approach to strategies improves teachers’ relationship with their students. Utilization of strategies aimed at improving reading skills among learners has immense contribution to increased levels of student performance. All educators should be willing to take part in research studies because the data collected provides an insight on ways to ensure the system improves.
