Mid Program Reflection Paper by Ilene Sorensen

Looking back at my childhood, I realize that education has always been important. Education was always a high priority in my family. As a child, my parents main goal was to provide their children with a quality education, which they felt would lead to more career opportunities. Neither had a high school education. They instilled in their children the importance of people working together, helping one another, and a lot of hands-on experiences and extra activities. When I think of the early years, I was labeled a "good student". I received alright grades-B's and A's. I was a student that did not cause trouble and came from a "good family." I loved grade school. I would often play school at home. I attended a country school for eight years, and then went to high school in a small town and rode on a bus. In the country school there was expanded learning taking place in the one room school. I remember watching and listening to the other grades having class. I enjoyed the all school activities-the Christmas program and practices, the music, the Young Citizen League (YCL) meetings, the duties, and recess-what a blast. Everyone was involved in the softball games. Everyone was on a team. The gifted as well as the handicapped students played together. It was great. I felt that learning in a country school setting seemed easier for the gifted and slow learner as they were not singled out of the class as they are today. Everyone learned together. As I went on to high school, I remember the adjustment from the country school. The "town kids" had gone to school together and knew the "ropes". Would I fit in? Would I be "smart"? I always worried about what would happen. However, the change went well. One thing I remember was I always did well on projects-whether it was science, an extra activity, or home economics project. Yes, I enjoyed Home Economics. These were hands-on-activities. Social Studies and History were subjects I did not enjoy in school. I would ask myself when would I ever use this. I guess I am a "practical" learner. I thought if I could use this information, then it made sense to learn it. So college lead me to a Home Economics Education degree. I got to teach hand-on experiences and things that students would use. A challenge I see as an educator is to involve audiences so they will learn more practical things. Sometimes it is difficult to evaluate what has been done. I am finding evaluation is so important for future projects. It gives the instructor ideas on what should be changed and what should stay the same. Good teachers will weave subject matter and life experiences together. I feel success is having passion and enthuiasium for what you are doing. Transformative learning can be an effective method in learning. This will put emphasis on self-knowledge and self-reflection. It will involve reflecting into the past and relating it to the present. This has given me confidence to continue with my education. I have felt very insecure in the Master's program. But I feel it is so important and I want to do this right. It is a wonderful opportunity for me. Cranton stated, "Learning may be passive or it may be active. The learner may passively receive information, respond to it in some way and integrate those responses and the information into their existing memory patterns. The learner observes skills as demonstrated by the expert educator, practices those skills and achieves some competency in completing a project." I feel this is exactly how students gain knowledge, skills, and rewards with benefits. This is learning at its best with transformative learning using project-based activities. I really enjoy project -based learning. I use this type of education as a Nutrition Education Assistant. I feel this is when a classroom comes alive. The students can see a project being created and formed. They can also have input in the evaluation and do some self-reflection for future projects. Now that I am well past the mid-point of this program, I believe that I am a practical learner but my perceptions about myself have changed. I have questions such as-Will I be a better educator? Will I be more concerned about my students? Will I be a better teacher? I feel these will all be answered positively. I know that I have learned so much about learning that is has opened my eyes to different perspectives. A better teacher-yes-I definitely feel this educational experience with transformative learning has given me a closer look at my background. It has given me the chance to do some reflective thinking and questions. I feel a need to help students with their eating habits. If I can make learning fun with nutritional projects and make them aware of what they are eating, I have accomplished my goal. This really has become a passion I have-to help young people have a happy healthy life. My experiences in this program have only helped me validate once more, that the nutrition program provides information that is valuable to the young and it should be presented in an appropriate manner so students will want to learn and I want to be a part of it. Parker Palmer wrote that bad teachers distance themselves from the subjects they are teaching, and in the process, they distance themselves from the students. Good teachers join self and subject in the fabric of life." This is my goal with students and nutrition.

Reference List:

Cranton, P. (1994). Understanding and Promoting Transformative Learning: A Guide For Educators of Adults. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc.

Palmer, Parker J.,(1998). The Courage To Teach. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc. Mid Program Reflection Paper by Ilene Sorensen

Looking back at my childhood, I realize that education has always been important. Education was always a high priority in my family. As a child, my parents main goal was to provide their children with a quality education, which they felt would lead to more career opportunities. Neither had a high school education. They instilled in their children the importance of people working together, helping one another, and a lot of hands-on experiences and extra activities. When I think of the early years, I was labeled a "good student". I received alright grades-B's and A's. I was a student that did not cause trouble and came from a "good family." I loved grade school. I would often play school at home. I attended a country school for eight years, and then went to high school in a small town and rode on a bus. In the country school there was expanded learning taking place in the one room school. I remember watching and listening to the other grades having class. I enjoyed the all school activities-the Christmas program and practices, the music, the Young Citizen League (YCL) meetings, the duties, and recess-what a blast. Everyone was involved in the softball games. Everyone was on a team. The gifted as well as the handicapped students played together. It was great. I felt that learning in a country school setting seemed easier for the gifted and slow learner as they were not singled out of the class as they are today. Everyone learned together. As I went on to high school, I remember the adjustment from the country school. The "town kids" had gone to school together and knew the "ropes". Would I fit in? Would I be "smart"? I always worried about what would happen. However, the change went well. One thing I remember was I always did well on projects-whether it was science, an extra activity, or home economics project. Yes, I enjoyed Home Economics. These were hands-on-activities. Social Studies and History were subjects I did not enjoy in school. I would ask myself when would I ever use this. I guess I am a "practical" learner. I thought if I could use this information, then it made sense to learn it. So college lead me to a Home Economics Education degree. I got to teach hand-on experiences and things that students would use. A challenge I see as an educator is to involve audiences so they will learn more practical things. Sometimes it is difficult to evaluate what has been done. I am finding evaluation is so important for future projects. It gives the instructor ideas on what should be changed and what should stay the same. Good teachers will weave subject matter and life experiences together. I feel success is having passion and enthuiasium for what you are doing. Transformative learning can be an effective method in learning. This will put emphasis on self-knowledge and self-reflection. It will involve reflecting into the past and relating it to the present. This has given me confidence to continue with my education. I have felt very insecure in the Master's program. But I feel it is so important and I want to do this right. It is a wonderful opportunity for me. Cranton stated, "Learning may be passive or it may be active. The learner may passively receive information, respond to it in some way and integrate those responses and the information into their existing memory patterns. The learner observes skills as demonstrated by the expert educator, practices those skills and achieves some competency in completing a project." I feel this is exactly how students gain knowledge, skills, and rewards with benefits. This is learning at its best with transformative learning using project-based activities. I really enjoy project -based learning. I use this type of education as a Nutrition Education Assistant. I feel this is when a classroom comes alive. The students can see a project being created and formed. They can also have input in the evaluation and do some self-reflection for future projects. Now that I am well past the mid-point of this program, I believe that I am a practical learner but my perceptions about myself have changed. I have questions such as-Will I be a better educator? Will I be more concerned about my students? Will I be a better teacher? I feel these will all be answered positively. I know that I have learned so much about learning that is has opened my eyes to different perspectives. A better teacher-yes-I definitely feel this educational experience with transformative learning has given me a closer look at my background. It has given me the chance to do some reflective thinking and questions. I feel a need to help students with their eating habits. If I can make learning fun with nutritional projects and make them aware of what they are eating, I have accomplished my goal. This really has become a passion I have-to help young people have a happy healthy life. My experiences in this program have only helped me validate once more, that the nutrition program provides information that is valuable to the young and it should be presented in an appropriate manner so students will want to learn and I want to be a part of it. Parker Palmer wrote that bad teachers distance themselves from the subjects they are teaching, and in the process, they distance themselves from the students. Good teachers join self and subject in the fabric of life." This is my goal with students and nutrition.

Reference List:

Cranton, P. (1994). Understanding and Promoting Transformative Learning: A Guide For Educators of Adults. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc.

Palmer, Parker J.,(1998). The Courage To Teach. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc. Mid Program Reflection Paper by Ilene Sorensen

Looking back at my childhood, I realize that education has always been important. Education was always a high priority in my family. As a child, my parents main goal was to provide their children with a quality education, which they felt would lead to more career opportunities. Neither had a high school education. They instilled in their children the importance of people working together, helping one another, and a lot of hands-on experiences and extra activities. When I think of the early years, I was labeled a "good student". I received alright grades-B's and A's. I was a student that did not cause trouble and came from a "good family." I loved grade school. I would often play school at home. I attended a country school for eight years, and then went to high school in a small town and rode on a bus. In the country school there was expanded learning taking place in the one room school. I remember watching and listening to the other grades having class. I enjoyed the all school activities-the Christmas program and practices, the music, the Young Citizen League (YCL) meetings, the duties, and recess-what a blast. Everyone was involved in the softball games. Everyone was on a team. The gifted as well as the handicapped students played together. It was great. I felt that learning in a country school setting seemed easier for the gifted and slow learner as they were not singled out of the class as they are today. Everyone learned together. As I went on to high school, I remember the adjustment from the country school. The "town kids" had gone to school together and knew the "ropes". Would I fit in? Would I be "smart"? I always worried about what would happen. However, the change went well. One thing I remember was I always did well on projects-whether it was science, an extra activity, or home economics project. Yes, I enjoyed Home Economics. These were hands-on-activities. Social Studies and History were subjects I did not enjoy in school. I would ask myself when would I ever use this. I guess I am a "practical" learner. I thought if I could use this information, then it made sense to learn it. So college lead me to a Home Economics Education degree. I got to teach hand-on experiences and things that students would use. A challenge I see as an educator is to involve audiences so they will learn more practical things. Sometimes it is difficult to evaluate what has been done. I am finding evaluation is so important for future projects. It gives the instructor ideas on what should be changed and what should stay the same. Good teachers will weave subject matter and life experiences together. I feel success is having passion and enthuiasium for what you are doing. Transformative learning can be an effective method in learning. This will put emphasis on self-knowledge and self-reflection. It will involve reflecting into the past and relating it to the present. This has given me confidence to continue with my education. I have felt very insecure in the Master's program. But I feel it is so important and I want to do this right. It is a wonderful opportunity for me. Cranton stated, "Learning may be passive or it may be active. The learner may passively receive information, respond to it in some way and integrate those responses and the information into their existing memory patterns. The learner observes skills as demonstrated by the expert educator, practices those skills and achieves some competency in completing a project." I feel this is exactly how students gain knowledge, skills, and rewards with benefits. This is learning at its best with transformative learning using project-based activities. I really enjoy project -based learning. I use this type of education as a Nutrition Education Assistant. I feel this is when a classroom comes alive. The students can see a project being created and formed. They can also have input in the evaluation and do some self-reflection for future projects. Now that I am well past the mid-point of this program, I believe that I am a practical learner but my perceptions about myself have changed. I have questions such as-Will I be a better educator? Will I be more concerned about my students? Will I be a better teacher? I feel these will all be answered positively. I know that I have learned so much about learning that is has opened my eyes to different perspectives. A better teacher-yes-I definitely feel this educational experience with transformative learning has given me a closer look at my background. It has given me the chance to do some reflective thinking and questions. I feel a need to help students with their eating habits. If I can make learning fun with nutritional projects and make them aware of what they are eating, I have accomplished my goal. This really has become a passion I have-to help young people have a happy healthy life. My experiences in this program have only helped me validate once more, that the nutrition program provides information that is valuable to the young and it should be presented in an appropriate manner so students will want to learn and I want to be a part of it. Parker Palmer wrote that bad teachers distance themselves from the subjects they are teaching, and in the process, they distance themselves from the students. Good teachers join self and subject in the fabric of life." This is my goal with students and nutrition.

Reference List:

Cranton, P. (1994). Understanding and Promoting Transformative Learning: A Guide For Educators of Adults. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc.

Palmer, Parker J.,(1998). The Courage To Teach. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc. Mid Program Reflection Paper by Ilene Sorensen

Looking back at my childhood, I realize that education has always been important. Education was always a high priority in my family. As a child, my parents main goal was to provide their children with a quality education, which they felt would lead to more career opportunities. Neither had a high school education. They instilled in their children the importance of people working together, helping one another, and a lot of hands-on experiences and extra activities. When I think of the early years, I was labeled a "good student". I received alright grades-B's and A's. I was a student that did not cause trouble and came from a "good family." I loved grade school. I would often play school at home. I attended a country school for eight years, and then went to high school in a small town and rode on a bus. In the country school there was expanded learning taking place in the one room school. I remember watching and listening to the other grades having class. I enjoyed the all school activities-the Christmas program and practices, the music, the Young Citizen League (YCL) meetings, the duties, and recess-what a blast. Everyone was involved in the softball games. Everyone was on a team. The gifted as well as the handicapped students played together. It was great. I felt that learning in a country school setting seemed easier for the gifted and slow learner as they were not singled out of the class as they are today. Everyone learned together. As I went on to high school, I remember the adjustment from the country school. The "town kids" had gone to school together and knew the "ropes". Would I fit in? Would I be "smart"? I always worried about what would happen. However, the change went well. One thing I remember was I always did well on projects-whether it was science, an extra activity, or home economics project. Yes, I enjoyed Home Economics. These were hands-on-activities. Social Studies and History were subjects I did not enjoy in school. I would ask myself when would I ever use this. I guess I am a "practical" learner. I thought if I could use this information, then it made sense to learn it. So college lead me to a Home Economics Education degree. I got to teach hand-on experiences and things that students would use. A challenge I see as an educator is to involve audiences so they will learn more practical things. Sometimes it is difficult to evaluate what has been done. I am finding evaluation is so important for future projects. It gives the instructor ideas on what should be changed and what should stay the same. Good teachers will weave subject matter and life experiences together. I feel success is having passion and enthuiasium for what you are doing. Transformative learning can be an effective method in learning. This will put emphasis on self-knowledge and self-reflection. It will involve reflecting into the past and relating it to the present. This has given me confidence to continue with my education. I have felt very insecure in the Master's program. But I feel it is so important and I want to do this right. It is a wonderful opportunity for me. Cranton stated, "Learning may be passive or it may be active. The learner may passively receive information, respond to it in some way and integrate those responses and the information into their existing memory patterns. The learner observes skills as demonstrated by the expert educator, practices those skills and achieves some competency in completing a project." I feel this is exactly how students gain knowledge, skills, and rewards with benefits. This is learning at its best with transformative learning using project-based activities. I really enjoy project -based learning. I use this type of education as a Nutrition Education Assistant. I feel this is when a classroom comes alive. The students can see a project being created and formed. They can also have input in the evaluation and do some self-reflection for future projects. Now that I am well past the mid-point of this program, I believe that I am a practical learner but my perceptions about myself have changed. I have questions such as-Will I be a better educator? Will I be more concerned about my students? Will I be a better teacher? I feel these will all be answered positively. I know that I have learned so much about learning that is has opened my eyes to different perspectives. A better teacher-yes-I definitely feel this educational experience with transformative learning has given me a closer look at my background. It has given me the chance to do some reflective thinking and questions. I feel a need to help students with their eating habits. If I can make learning fun with nutritional projects and make them aware of what they are eating, I have accomplished my goal. This really has become a passion I have-to help young people have a happy healthy life. My experiences in this program have only helped me validate once more, that the nutrition program provides information that is valuable to the young and it should be presented in an appropriate manner so students will want to learn and I want to be a part of it. Parker Palmer wrote that bad teachers distance themselves from the subjects they are teaching, and in the process, they distance themselves from the students. Good teachers join self and subject in the fabric of life." This is my goal with students and nutrition.

Reference List:

Cranton, P. (1994). Understanding and Promoting Transformative Learning: A Guide For Educators of Adults. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc.

Palmer, Parker J.,(1998). The Courage To Teach. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc.

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2000