6th Grade Math: Not Cognitivism
What she said: Why aren’t you getting this? What’s WRONG with you?
I DON’T UNDERSTAND!
What I felt: STUPID, USELESS, INSECURE, HUMILIATED
What I learned: As an educator, yelling cripples your influence and sabotages student success.
Dyscalcuia " I Suck at Math"
Teacher’s Role: Regard and guide through the problem solving process.
What was lacking: She left no room for any inquiry. She herself did not initiate it either other than coming to me when I raised my hand for help.
Her Interpretation of Inquiry:
“What is wrong with you? Why aren’t you getting this?
- At this point, she is not concerned at all with my schema in the way that she should be.
- In fact, my utter confusion upset her more. This confused me. So even if I didn’t know I figured if I said yes and pretended she would calm down and eventually walk away.
- STM: Given that information is not stored here long, I was not able to utilize it at all given the stress I was under
- She would correct me and then lose patience when I didn’t arrive at the right answer. I was very much a “deer in headlights.”
- Behaviorism: Rewards/Punishments
I feel this fits her approach better. She was convinced that the more she yelled the more I would listen.
- Stimuli: Her yelling
- Response: I would just agree. It didn’t matter what she said. I just said okay in hopes of appeasing her.