PME 811 Journey - Wayne Hoang

  Article 1 – Asynchronous Learning (Danaher & Danaher, 2019) Long story short, Danaher & Danaher (2019) indicate that asynchronous learning is a teaching/learning modality that can take place “anytime and anywhere”. In asynchronous learning, educators usually set up self-paced instructions and materials for their learners to do whenever feasible. Much of this work is completed independently, but students are able to reach out to teachers/instructors if they need support and guidance. Personally, I loved asynchronous learning when I completed my undergrad during the Covid-19 pandemic. For a multitude of reasons (i.e., undiagnosed ADHD, fidgeting and boredom, seeking attention), being in the classroom was unproductive and stressful. All I would do in class was talk to my friends, crack jokes to the teacher and distract other students. It just wasn’t working for me! When the pandemic hit, my academic career skyrocketed. I loved learning about my major (Kinesiology), but was j...

  Article 1 – Toulouse (2008) In today’s world of education, I firmly believe that we are slowly becoming better at integrating Aboriginal ways of teaching and knowing. However, when I was in high school (15ish years ago), I personally think that education ignored Aboriginal ways of teaching and knowing. I honestly don’t remember learning about any indigenous perspectives. And when we did learn about this stuff, it felt like teachers were merely just ticking off a box so they could say that they incorporated Aboriginal content. What they taught was not meaningful. Toulouse (2008) indicates that schools need to provide a learning environment where students understand and honour who they are and where they come from. In addition, schools need to recognize the impact of Aboriginal people’s innovation, inventions, and contributions to society. From what I remember in my Social Studies class, much of the content I learned was negatively geared towards the Indigenous people. However, as ...

Article 1 - (Illich, 2010) In the article “Why We Must Abolish Schooling” by Illich (2010), he indicates that schooling, especially for the poor, aims to confuse process and substance. Furthermore, Illich (2010) writes that there is a misconception that the more treatment/schooling a patient/student gets, the better the results. Although this can be true in some context, it is not the reality for everyone. Just because someone doesn’t go to school doesn’t make them “uneducated”. Matter of a fact, some of the brightest minds in today’s world lack “prestigious” college degrees.  Being a learner can occur and happen in a variety of ways. We aren’t just limited to being a learner in schools. In today’s tech savvy world, we can literally learn about anything within the click of a button. Some could say that we don’t even need teachers. Scary but true.  Nonetheless, I would argue that being a teacher is the most important job in the world. We are extremely necessary! As a teacher in...

  Article 1 - (Werner, 2008) The “Teaching for Hope” article by Werner (2008) discusses how education relies on being “hopeful”. Without having hope, students are often confused and anxious about the information and material they learn about. As Werner (2008) indicates, anxiety is not a friend of learning and can lead to separation, loneliness and hopelessness. Furthermore, these emotions and feelings lead to disengagement in the classroom As a result, students become unmotivated and uninspired. They just go through the motions. You could potentially argue that they become hopeless. Question to the author – what does being hopeful actually mean? In short, my definition of “hopeful” is to be motivated and inspired. As teachers, it is our job to make education hopeful.  In my opinion, teachers need to be creative and innovative in their own unique way to present data/information in a meaningful manner. As Werner (2008) writes, learning should be memorable, important, and em...