Sixth Class

During our sixth class we watched an interesting TED video entitled, “The Myth of Average” by Todd Rose. In this video, Rose, makes comparisons between our classrooms to a jet’s cockpit. There was a time when a jet’s cockpit was constructed to fit the average pilot. Each jet’s cockpit was designed to meet the same specifications. It was the manufactures intentions to build a cockpit that took into account the average pilots’ size therefore, in theory, meeting the needs of most pilots. This proved to be a misconception and the cockpits were proving to have a negative effect on American Air force pilots. It was determined that there was not really an average sized pilot, thus making the manufactures one-size-fits-all approach redundant. Ultimately, the American Air force banned the average and looked to developing jet cockpits that had adjustable features such as seats that would allow a jet pilot to fly more comfortably; improving the pilots’ results. The same message can be found when designing our classrooms. An important point made by Rose was that if learning environments are designed for the average student then they will be designed for no one. Classrooms are made up of many individual students who all learn differently and have varying strengths and challenges. From this video, I must remember that the students in classroom, like jet pilots, all need adjustable seats and to look for the teaching strategies and tools, such as assistive technology that will help them reach their academic and social potential.

We also learned about the reading process during our sixth class. We had the opportunity to complete a task analysis whereby class members were asked to read a passage and breakdown what we were reading and the process into smaller steps. This was a beneficial task, in that I have never through of the reading process in this way. By completing the task analysis and listening to our class discussion, I realise that there are many steps that we need to learn and master before truly understand the written word. It is essential that I keep this in mind when working with my students, especially the students experiencing challenges with the reading process.