Social Concerns for Educators
3 credits / 45 hours
Instructor Richard Acritelli
Course Description
Educators face the daily challenges of not only creating quality instruction, but also the massive concerns that are present in our classes every day. Teachers have assumed a greater role in society that does not end with the sound of the bell. We have seen a technological age that in ways has made our society softer. The very students that are able to perform countless tasks on computers are the same pupils that have a work ethic that has diminished over the years. What are the necessary improvements that society must make to foster a better relationship between education and students/young adults? What are the social concerns of the American educator? How have times negatively changed and which direction is vital for the development of our most precious commodity – our students? Is respect a foreign term that has lost its meaning? We will look at the most pressing issues that are plaguing our schools and the potential remedies that could help our students in this new century of learning (technology, drugs, obesity, occupations, racism, morals, motivation, etc.). All students will be involved in a variety of activities that will highlight important information in the handling of twenty first century educational issues. A necessary class for all educators, school psychologists, guidance counselors and support staff that will help identify the most pressing problems of today.
Course Description
Educators face the daily challenges of not only creating quality instruction, but also the massive concerns that are present in our classes every day. Teachers have assumed a greater role in society that does not end with the sound of the bell. We have seen a technological age that in ways has made our society softer. The very students that are able to perform countless tasks on computers are the same pupils that have a work ethic that has diminished over the years. What are the necessary improvements that society must make to foster a better relationship between education and students/young adults? What are the social concerns of the American educator? How have times negatively changed and which direction is vital for the development of our most precious commodity – our students? Is respect a foreign term that has lost its meaning? We will look at the most pressing issues that are plaguing our schools and the potential remedies that could help our students in this new century of learning (technology, drugs, obesity, occupations, racism, morals, motivation, etc.). All students will be involved in a variety of activities that will highlight important information in the handling of twenty first century educational issues. A necessary class for all educators, school psychologists, guidance counselors and support staff that will help identify the most pressing problems of today.
Course Objectives
Students that enroll in this class will...
Know
- the important concerns that are facing our youth in schools today.
- what the warning signs in dealing with the problems of our students.
- the pitfalls and positive features of technology for our youngest students.
- the premium of education in this ever changing world and how our students must be able to compete and excel against foreign nations.
Understand
- how violence on television, schools and society has impacted our youth.
- the national concerns over obesity with our students, society and even military.
- the allure of gangs to our students.
- the ever changing climate of drugs, their use, types and impact that it has on our students.
- the importance of fostering an environment of motivation, hard work and goal orientated students.
and Be Able To
- determine how to check the warning signs of child abuse.
- explain the different types of peer pressure that are facing students.
- rationalize how times have changed with dealing with the technologically savvy younger generations.
- present how different generations reacted to times of crisis, war and national emergency and to determine how our future will take care of our nation.
