The values task proved that a teacher who uses negative words and treats individuals different can cause an individual to feel upset, become disengaged and can begin to doubt their ability leading them to lack self-confidence. I experienced these feelings myself during this group task.
The task involved 4 different groups within the room, 2 groups were given resource packs which had a greater amount of content within it and the group I was in along with another group had resource packs with less resources in it.
We had; a few pens, 3 pieces of paper, 2 paper clips, 3 post it notes, blue tac and 2 elastic bands.
With these resources, as a group, we had to create something for a new student starting at Dundee University. Throughout the activity, the teacher was giving the 2 groups who had greater resources inputs and help on how they can make their ideas better and gave the group I was in along with the other group who had less resources very little help and didn’t spend time with us when we were preparing our poster and chatter box.
We had to present our ideas to the rest of the groups and while we were doing this the teacher was very disengaged, blunt and didn’t clap for the 2 groups with the less resources. Positive comments and feedback was given to the 2 groups who had the most resources and applauded them for their hard work. The 2 groups who had the most resources won the prize as they were given the biggest points for effort and overall presentation.
This was disheartening as our group tried extremely hard and worked well as a group to come up with a colourful and creative idea to provide a new student starting at University. It was frustrating to know a group who copied one of our ideas had won the challenge and received a prize as we came up with the chatterbox idea first. As a groups we were annoyed by this and felt we done a great job.
This activity was an eye opener and it clearly explored the idea that no child within a classroom should made to feel their work isn’t good enough as every individual in the classroom tries their best. It also shows that every child should be treated fairly and each child should be provided with the same resources from the teacher such as: stationary for the table. This way children aren’t arguing about or commenting on each other belongings as people come from all different backgrounds and shouldn’t be treated differently because of this. Children who are given the same resources within a classroom are therefore not being judged. It also reminded myself for someone who is going into the Education world that every child should be treated the same and positive language should be used at all times. This is the reason why some schools use: 2 stars and a wish as this is focusing on mainly the positives within a child’s work.
