Religion, Philosophy, and Nature

Do we need religion or philosophy to help us perceive the value of nature? 

In my opinion we do not need religion or philosophy to help us perceive the value of nature.  One can be nonreligious or without a sense of philosophy and still perceive the value of nature.

Is religion or philosophy essentially a “private matter of personal faith” or is it a necessary prerequisite to create a community response to an environmental crisis? 

Religion is a private matter of personal faith.  However with most things that people feel strongly about, sharing is necessary; therefore religion is not always a private matter but a public one.  As seen throughout history religion is a strong guiding factor in not only a personal life but government, country, and other guiding forces of the world.

With the previous ideas in mind I would think that religion may not be a prerequisite to create a community response to an environmental crisis but a partner.  If one thinks about the power that religion can and does wield why not try using it positively and save the world?  Religion is supposed to be a positive force that brings people together with love and respect.  However, we see the power of religion pulling people apart on a daily basis so trying to guide such a power could be a tricky job indeed.

Fact of Global Warming

Global warming is fact.  We can show that certain things that we as humans do effect the earth around us; whether we can see it with the bare eye or not.  However, we also know that the Earth goes through stages and changes of evolution; seas dry, mountain ranges are formed, and so on and so forth.  To make global warming cut and dry I believe is not always an easy thing to do.

However since we know that global warming is factual we must do something about it.  As individuals we all make our own personal changes.  We use energy efficient electronics; recycle aluminum cans and other little things that add up to results.  As individuals we do what we can.  Yes, there is always room for improvement.

 

Individuals make up part of the world community.  We make up villages, towns, and countries.  However corporations are another  large part of our world community that does what it can.  As with individuals there is room for improvement in the other half of the world community.  Corporations, and governments all have responsibilities to themselves, others, and future generations in regards to the planet and its health.  As individuals we have always been told to put things back when we are done with them.. to pick up after ourself; when dealing with the planet the same is to be said just on a grander scale that has its multiple levels.  Corporations and other worldly organizations must adhere to the same set of ethics.

Global warming is fact and the fact of it is that we all add up to changes that have effects.  We all have voices that add up.  If we see that changes need to be done we need to speak up and make the changes together… because we are all in this together!

Learning and the Brain

                A student’s brain learns through the student’s environment and experiences.  Ultimately student’s learn through their senses; or their modalities, the five senses (Massaro & Wallis, 2010).  It seems that the more or less of different stimulus through the senses designates the amount and type of learning.  The learning is accomplished through two main steps.

                A student’s senses pick up signals about the environment and are processed in the thalamus, step one.  The thalamus is the “server” or the central switch room of the brain (Jensen, 2008).  At the same moment that the thalamus is obtaining all the incoming stimulus and information this information is also being routed to the “specialty processing facilities” of the brain (Jensen, 2008).  The two previous information processing steps combine to make the first step of learning.

                The second step of learning is accomplished by the amygdala and the hippocampus.  Depending on how the information was perceived by the “specialty processing facilities” the emergency switch handled by the amygdale is activated.  If the emergency switch is activated there is a procedure handled by the amygdale (Jensen, 2008).  If the emergency switch is not activated then the hippocampus then becomes responsible for the information and is either filed and stored or it is shed as not needed.

                Therefore, if a student is to learn then their brain needs to process environmental stimulus and retain it.  If the brain is to retain information it must see the information as needed.  It will perceive information as needed if it is introduced in a proper fashion.

References

Jensen, E. (2008). Brain-based learning (2nd ed). California: Corwin Press.

Massaro, C & Wallis, S. (2010). Using Your Senses for Fast Learning). Retrieved on March, 26, 2011.

Learning Technologies

                Language and communication can be learned through technology.  Special needs students are perfect examples of how technology can enhance the learning process.  There are a number of students who have used technology in different ways to help them learn language and communication skills.

                For example there are many different forms of technology that helps individual with language and communication needs.  Technologies that help with this subject range from cards, computers, hand held devices, and so much more.  These devices work in a number of different ways.  The devices can use language for an individual, give the user options that they may not be familiar with the appropriate communication for as well as a wide range of other options.

                I have used some of these technologies to teach my son.  My son has Autism and until recently did not speak.  We used different sign language techniques, card technologies, and other devices such as the Go Talk.  The Go Talk is a board that one slides a page of pictures into.  The board is sectioned as a grid with each picture in its own square.  The user then pushes the picture he/or she wishes and the device speaks whatever it has been programmed to for that picture.  This device made it possible for him to communicate his need to individuals that did not understand his other forms of communication that he used with the individuals that are closest to him.

                These forms of technology can be used in a wide range of ways.  They can be used for those who have issues hearing or even those who speak a different language.  Technology is ever growing and with that growth comes many different possibilities.  Those possibilities include new ways to learn language and communication.

Education Theories Continued

Conclusion

The previous sections described three theories as well as their perspectives, expectations, and how the theories fit into my own personal philosophy of education.  There are three main theories: functionalism, interaction, and conflict.  Each one of the previous theories has a different view of education.  These views are how one can identify which theories fits with their own personal philosophy.  I personally believe in realism which is championed by Aristotle.  This philosophy fits into the functionalist perspective.  However, realism and functionality may not be everyone’s cup of tea… which do you prefer?