Monday, September 20, 2010

Video Reflection

I feel that this type of learning is something that is essential in kids lives. I think more subjects and topics should be covered through hands on activities that help kids learn in new ways. I think we get so used to learning the same way with pencil and paper and it’s simply not enough anymore. Kids learn something for about a month and forget it just as fast. I feel that students try to find the answers in things and should really be looking at things like why does it work this way or how it became to be this. Students aren’t concerned about how or why it works, they just simply look for the answer in things. I feel that if there were more activities to do that helped students learn more actively that test scores and other essentials in life would go up.
I have gone to events that have been based around this type of idea. I think Tulley is trying to keep this idea going by speaking publicly about it and getting others to help his cause. I feel that this is an amazing thing he is doing to help students learn in a new more fun way. I wish that a lot more of my classes would have been taught this way. In my experiences in school, I never received an opportunity like these kids did really. I never had the chance to learn things through building or making things on my own. I think the best way to learn is from your mistakes and doing things on your own. If I would have the choice to learn this way I would for surely take the chance in a heart beat. I would find school fun and educating in a different perspective. I have tried new ways of learning such as reading something over the internet and have found it to be quite easy and enjoyable. I find it enjoyable because if you are assigned something to finish then I can do it on my own time at home and do it comfortably.
I think that having these kids work together to do something is also another important factor in life. Schools sometimes give out assignments and give you partners to do them with, but I always felt lazy or that things weren’t fun or evenly distributed. I think just giving groups to kids, especially when the kids aren’t friends with their partners is something that shouldn’t be done. You can’t like put kids in groups and hope they become friends. You need to give them something to do that will make them work together as a team and do something fun.
I feel that all educational programs should consider watching this and seriously thinking or trying this in their schools. Perhaps their students will learn something that will stick with them. I remember some activities that I have done at school and they have seemed to stick with me over the year. I can’t even remember half of the things I learned in 7th and 8th grade but I cant remember fun learning activities in 5th grade. If schools were to try this and that their students test scores go up and they seem to recall things better in life then I think many other schools would think of do this type of teaching. I feel that schools are to worried about the money issue though to consider doing this because I’m sure the supplies would be quite a bit of money.
I felt that one thing that surprised me was that all of those plastic bags held up those kids in that video. I wish that I have been able to be a part of that because that is something that surprises me.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Labor Day Weekend

This Labor Day weekend I did a number of things. I spent most of my time with my girlfreind at her house. On Saturday, we went to Stoddard to watch the guy’s softball teams and talked with people we haven’t seen in awhile. We then came to La Crosse to get some things at Quillins for her mom. After shopping in La Crosse we went back to her house and brushed her four horses. This took awhile because the horses got into some burdocts and made their hair a mess. Sunday was a day of rest. We ended up laying around all day until I remembered I had some homework to do. It took me about three hours to finish my homework and by the time I was done it was time for me to go to sleep. Monday I went home to see my grandparents because I had heard the news that they hit a deer with their 55 chevy. The car’s fender and driver’s door was the only thing damaged. I wouldn’t doubt it if my grandpa cried when it happened because it’s such an antique and my dad restored the car for him. After visiting with them for awhile I went home and mowed the lawn for my mom just to make her happy. To end the day I watched Family Guy and drifted off to sleep. I would say that this Labor Day weekend was just another normal weekend for me.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

About Me

My name is Dylan Vassar I am from Ferryville, Wisconsin. I'm attending WTC to get my generals and hopefully by the time I'm done I will know what I want to do. I just graduated from De Soto High School. I have been active in baseball, football, and basketball. I was the quarterback at De Soto and we were a game from state 2 years in a row.  My hobbies are spending time outside, hunting, fishing, and hanging out with friends. I am taking 15 credits this semester and so far I’m not liking all of the homework I get. I don’t like La Crosse that much because I don’t like the city. I really enjoy the country and spending all of my time there. I hope to meet new people and find new friends.