Representing China

So, I'm off representing China today in a simulation, along with a few students from AHS. Business first - you can work on your assignments that are due Wednesday with ONE other person at most. This assignment is something one could complete by oneself, but I always like what happens when two people work together to create something quite interesting and unique. Two heads are better than one right? (unless of course you're a whitetail deer of the male variety, upon which you'd be quite the prize to some lucky hunter).

Secondly, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, some of you are not blogging every week. This is a very unwise move. Let me help you out with this - your blog doesn't have to be impersonal. You can certainly have fun with these. Write to entertain yourself, write to learn, write to entertain ME at the very least. Write about a funny thought you've had while thinking about psychology, write about something personal that completely relates to what we've learned. Some of you have gotten quite good at this, while others are still struggling to blog on a weekly basis and have probably come to dread blogging because you have to "go look for a video or article that relates to psychology". Nothing could be further from the truth of this assignment - psychology is everywhere, you just have to take a little time to write about it.

Happy blogging!

Tests, Tests, Tests.

Yes. There is a test tomorrow, Tuesday February 22nd. Plan for it. Study for it. Study session in Mr. Dreier's room Tuesday AM before school.

Best of luck on the snow day.

Mr. Dreier

Think Like A Child

So what might this mean for you? Well...there are some things that kids do better, mainly because they are without boundaries. They have little concept of "I can't do that" and instead often times find a way to make it happen.

Consider this: A five year old kid is playing outside when she sees a tall rock. Instead of saying "I can't climb that, I could get hurt", she says "gosh, I'd really like to sit on top of that rock, it looks like a fun place." Instead of worrying about a safety harness, ropes, and knot-tying prowess, she starts climbing.

Ask the questions that make you consider possibilities "What was it I wanted to do as a child, and why am I not working toward that goal?" Ask the questions that force you to think like a child. Ask the questions that allow you to become more creative. Ask why not instead of why, ask "i wonder if this will work" instead of asking how. Imagine what happens to a child, a student, a person, if they are told "no" or "you can't" too often. Slowly the intrinsic drive to learn wears away, and the budding creativity is trimmed to fit non-changing expectations in a changing society.

What is it that you can do right now to change how you think?

Nature or Nurture?

This is a video that I've shown to a number of people, and I thought that now was as good a time as any to share it with the AHS AP Psychology students. There is a lot of interesting concepts that can relate to brain research, nature vs. nurture, and child development that we will be learning about soon.



I realize that you might not be able to see this from school, but take the time to watch it from home. I think you'll be quite happy you did.

Enjoy!

Technology Redux or SMASHAROOSKI!

So I was sent this audio article today in regards to technology in the classroom. It made me think. What is it that AP psych is doing right at AHS? What is it that we might be doing wrong? I think the article makes a good point that learning needs to be engaging. If you have been the chronic browser, what might it say of your grades? I believe 100% that the netbooks are a GOOD thing for classes, but I also say that with a guarded aprehension that there are always going to be some students that "check out" when the netbook is on and in front of them. I am not going to necessarily stop note passing, I haven't policed the avid websurfer(s) in my classroom (I know who you are), I am however taking note. Are the surfers doing well in class, and if not, would it be any different if they did not have a netbook in front of them?

This all ties into motivation - extrinsic and intrinsic. Those of you who are intrinsically motivated show it. I rarely have to worry about anyone not paying attention. Those of you who are extrinsically motivated are a bit of a different story. Sometimes it is full attention and full speed ahead, and other times I can see the "be back in 30 minutes" look on your faces (and hands).

Hey, by the way, did you actually HEAR that laptop get smashed? It scared the crap out of everyone in the room. I think I might have laughed, and yet I wonder what the consequences were for the professor who smashed it.

It's a Girl!

Ok, so normally I don't do this, but normally I don't answer my cell phone in class to take a call either, twice no less. It's a girl. Grace Carolynn Dreier 3 lbs. 15 oz. of teeny tiny sweetness. Things are pretty hectic right now, but will get better throughout the rest of the week. Things didn't go as smoothly as planned, but everyone is healthy and strong, so I will take it. Have a great spring break to all who have read this. Oh, and my class, YES, you still have a blog post due on Friday, and I will be home an awful lot so I WILL be checking them.

Memories, like the corner of my mind...

Here is a great article I have found while reading the news. It is from The Economist and would be a great article to refer to in the near future. Just don't sleep in my class.
http://www.economist.com/science-technology/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15573431