Internal and External Environments Impact on Student Learning

June 7, 2013

Working currently as a teacher in  a environment that has a extremely high free and reduced lunch rate. I have been inclined to focus on how student internal and external environment shape what they learn and how they learn and the impact that technology plays on how their brains process information.

The author Jane Healy wrote the book Endangered Minds in this book she suggest our education system is in a deeper crisis than society thinks.  Although her book is slightly controversial she points out some valid point as it relates to how students learn. The book Endangered Minds focuses on research rather that diagnosis and plan for reform, which identifies why children are so difficult to educate.

Personally working with students who live within a lower socioeconomic environment and dealing with them on a daily bases, I see how their environments and family interaction shape their thought process as it relates to life and education. I consistently work with students who place limited value on education, they view it as something that is given and not required.  Which to me is unfortunate because by them having this view they limit themselves and there possibilities in life.  Based on the family interaction often education is not intrinsic and students have limited social and communication skills due the impact of technology and media.

Considering the focus of the book Endangered Minds, many thing impact how students learn.  Which and include but is not limited to:

• Technology
• Media
• Haphazard Child Care
• limited opportunities to develop conversations skills

According to the American Psychological Association, socioeconomic status impact students learning. Family household of lower socioeconomic status develop academic skills slower than family households of high socioeconomic status.

Socioeconomic status coupled with the technology impact has a great impact on student leaning and their level of communication skills. Dr. Jane Healy extends the concept of "Brain Cleaning" which is a way of redirecting how student learn who have been impact in a negative way.

Socioeconomic status and technology has a great impact on how students learn. These two factors can inhibit students greatly. Student learning is essential regardless to a students back ground.  All students have a right to a fair education that should not be limited by their socioeconomic status or technology impact on their lives.

References

Endangered Mind (Image). 2013 June 7, 2013 http://chesterfieldmontessori.org/images/books/endangeredMind.jpg

Association, A. P. (2013, June 7). Retrieved from American Psycholgical Association: mindshttp://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/factsheet-

Healy, J. (2013, June 7). Endangered Minds. Retrieved from Enotes : http://www.enotes.com/endangered-minds-salem/endangered-minds

Merriam-Webster. (2013, June 7). Retrieved from Merriam Webster: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socioeconomic