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    Litreview 4 Yates

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    This literature review summarizes a peer-reviewed article that discusses a dialogue between a teacher named Shannon and a teacher educator named Susan about effective learning environments for children. They agree that language and literacy are best developed in authentic contexts that value differences, strengths, and a safe atmosphere. Shannon and Susan discovered that creating their own curriculum based on interactions with students, rather than using prescribed curriculum, allowed for more personalized learning. The article also discusses making differences visible, emphasizing student strengths over weaknesses, and the importance of teacher reflection to continuously improve learning environments.

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    Litreview 4 Yates

    Uploaded by

    api-463766485
    81 views6 pages
    This literature review summarizes a peer-reviewed article that discusses a dialogue between a teacher named Shannon and a teacher educator named Susan about effective learning environments for children. They agree that language and literacy are best developed in authentic contexts that value differences, strengths, and a safe atmosphere. Shannon and Susan discovered that creating their own curriculum based on interactions with students, rather than using prescribed curriculum, allowed for more personalized learning. The article also discusses making differences visible, emphasizing student strengths over weaknesses, and the importance of teacher reflection to continuously improve learning environments.

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    This literature review summarizes a peer-reviewed article that discusses a dialogue between a teacher named Shannon and a teacher educator named Susan about effective learning environments for children. They agree that language and literacy are best developed in authentic contexts that value differences, strengths, and a safe atmosphere. Shannon and Susan discovered that creating their own curriculum based on interactions with students, rather than using prescribed curriculum, allowed for more personalized learning. The article also discusses making differences visible, emphasizing student strengths over weaknesses, and the importance of teacher reflection to continuously improve learning environments.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    81 views6 pages

    Litreview 4 Yates

    Uploaded by

    api-463766485
    This literature review summarizes a peer-reviewed article that discusses a dialogue between a teacher named Shannon and a teacher educator named Susan about effective learning environments for children. They agree that language and literacy are best developed in authentic contexts that value differences, strengths, and a safe atmosphere. Shannon and Susan discovered that creating their own curriculum based on interactions with students, rather than using prescribed curriculum, allowed for more personalized learning. The article also discusses making differences visible, emphasizing student strengths over weaknesses, and the importance of teacher reflection to continuously improve learning environments.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 6

    Literature Review 4-Yates 1

    National University

    TED 690

    Literature Review 4

    M’Laura Yates

    27 June 2019
    Literature Review 4-Yates 2

    Abstract

    This literature review is based on a peer-reviewed article from the Reading Teacher

    Journal about questioning our beliefs about effective learning environments for children.

    This article is a dialogue between a teacher and a teacher educator who discusses their

    shared experiences in education and attempt to challenge each other and their

    uncertainties regarding education. As educators we must continue to question and put at

    risk our own beliefs and practices. This ensures a constant process of inquiry into both

    areas in order to not remain constrained by any limitations placed by those same beliefs

    and practices.
    Literature Review 4-Yates 3

    For a period of several years, both educators have discussed and debated different

    ideas about effective learning environments in many different contexts-in university-

    school relationships, in a graduate course, and in parent-teacher conferences. Shannon is

    a teacher and Susan is a teacher educator. They both agree that language and literacy are

    best nurtured in environments that attend to the development of both skills and strategies

    in authentic and meaningful contexts. These contexts include valuing and respecting

    differences in development, highlighting and building on the strengths of students, and

    helping students take risks within a comfortable, safe and secure atmosphere. They

    attempt to identify the uncertainties that are embedded in their beliefs about effective

    learning environments and how reflecting on those uncertainties can help each of them

    conceptualize those same environments in more complex and in-depth ways (Villaume &

    Banks, 2000).

    One of the first things Shannon and Susan discovered is that in order to create

    authentic, meaningful and useful teaching strategies they would have to use curriculum

    created by them within their interactions with the students rather than using the

    curriculum prescribed by the local school district. When teachers step out of their

    comfort zones and share themselves as readers and writers they can then contribute to the

    creation of authentic, meaningful and personalized curriculum. This will help students by

    not constraining them to a specific set of instructions and strategies, but providing a

    context and environment conducive to learning for all. This is an important skill for

    teachers to have so that every child, regardless of skill level, has a chance to develop in

    their growing spaces.


    Literature Review 4-Yates 4

    The next thing they focus on is how important it is to make visible differences in

    language and literacy development. I think that many teachers would agree with

    Shannon and Susan that effective learning environments value and respect differences in

    language and literacy development. But, how does this theory work in practice? In

    general, you don’t make a big deal about differences in ability, but you don’t try to

    conceal them as well. All of the students in the classroom will inevitably learn who is the

    best reader, writer, etc. As long as you promote a relaxed and secure environment, it is

    easier to allow differences to become visible. It is important for teachers to develop the

    skill to move students past any criticism given by a fellow classmate and teach them to

    move from a critical stance to a supportive, problem-solving one. This can lead to the

    creation of a community feel in the classroom where students are thoughtful and caring.

    Another great area that is addressed in this article is naming and addressing

    growing spaces. This helps teachers emphasize students’ strengths rather than their

    weaknesses. According to Villaume & Brandt, “…children need to develop a stance

    toward their own language and literacy development that is both confident and

    vulnerable” (para. 35). Shannon encourages students to comment on their own

    development and name both strengths and growing spaces through the identification of

    three stars for strengths and two wishes for growing spaces. This is an important way to

    change the dialogue from areas of weakness to positive areas that need growth.

    One of the main benefits of this article is that teachers can recognize the need to

    conceptualize how to develop their own beliefs and what they are capable of. Children

    develop through multiple paths of learning and it is up to the educator how they are going

    to present that information. When educators learn to reflect carefully on their own
    Literature Review 4-Yates 5

    teaching and learning experiences, they can create effective learning environments for all

    students. This can be developed more fully through collaborations with fellow educators.

    Creating growing spaces and challenging students to reach their goals are more attainable

    when we are on a constant path of reflection and growth ourselves. Although this is a

    difficult road to follow, ultimately more growth will occur from the understanding gained

    through this challenge. Professional development will not always be comfortable. When

    we have the future in our hands it is worth all of the hard work.
    Literature Review 4-Yates 6

    Reference

    Villaume, S., & Brandt, S. (2000). Extending Our Beliefs about Effective Learning

    Environments: A Tale of Two Learners. Reading Teacher, 53(4), 322–330.

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