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What Determines Student Success?

May 13, 2012 By Nicole Feledy

If asked to search for an answer to the question; what is the most reliable determinant of a student’s future success, where would you look? Would you, go to google, read a book, question your teachers, ask your parents, or chat with friends?

Last week I attended a course, based on the Positive Psychology research of Martin Seligman. The facilitator, Dr Toni Noble, demonstrated the benefits of positive psychology practices in the classroom. This highly practical course provided participants with useful strategies that have direct relevance in the classroom. It was clear to all of us, that the research supported what we already knew – a student’s overall feeling of ‘wellness’ has a direct impact on their success at school. Put simply, happy students, who feel valued and supported by the school community are more likely to succeed than students who feel marginalised and lonely.

The question then becomes – how do we support and nurture young people so they may experience wellness rather than dis-ease? Professional development courses which provide teachers with functional, tangible tools to help young people recognise emotions and foster cooperative social behaviours, are a positive start. Of course we need to provide schools which are a safe haven filled with encouragement and opportunity.

However equally important is a student’s choice to participate. In fact, as individuals within a school and wider community, we need to be mindful of mindset. We need to ask ourself  – how willing are we to take responsibility for our own feelings and behaviours? We need to encourage young people to do the same.

Therefore as useful as google, books, teachers, parents and friends may be, when we want to search for answers, perhaps it is equally important to ask questions of ourself.

So maybe what I should have asked at the beginning of this post was… have you ever asked yourself, what determines MY success?

If I were to answer this question, I would reply, ME.

How will you respond?

Filed Under: Blog, Learning, Self Esteem Tagged With: students future success, take responsibility, What determines student success

Critical Literacy: A Learning ‘Rite’

May 6, 2012 By Nicole Feledy

We tell ourselves stories all the time. We tell ourselves stories in an attempt to make sense of our world. We tell stories about our life and what we deserve. We tell stories to explain our actions. Yet how often do we consciously examine those stories?  

 How effectively do we evaluate the stories we’re told?

 Years of teaching have taught me that the most useful aspect of stories is  not necessarily their literary merit, but rather the opportunity they provide to  teach us.

 Stories may be seen as life’s metaphors.

 The study of English therefore, can be the study of experiences. Through  stories it is possible to enter a new world and participate from a protected  position so that, when a character learns, we learn.

Certainly it is important to live and be aware in our present. However, as we analyse the characters in a story and critically evaluate the strategies they employ to overcome complications, we gain a fresh perspective of our own situation.

If we are mindful of language we may also begin to perceive some innovative solutions.

In this case, readers become critical literate individuals who recognise choices have consequences and we are responsible for our behaviour. In other words the study of other peoples stories, offers an opportunity to practise the evaluative skills that can help us understand the stories we tell our self.

The stories we tell have the power to limit or enrich our life. However, critically evaluating those stories encourages us to propose questions and discover answers. I like to call this process the Critical Literacy Rite.

 

Welcome to a World of Expression

Filed Under: Blog, Learning Tagged With: critical literacy, mindful of language, stories

I’m Not Like Everyone Else

April 22, 2012 By Nicole Feledy

Apparently, “we now expect everyone to take photographs all the time” Really? Dom Knight in his article ‘I Hate Instragram’ seems to think so.

I guess that means, I am not like everyone else.

I admit, as Knight points out, the one billion dollars paid by Facebook to Instragram suggests snapping photos on   smart phones is incredibly popular. Nevertheless, I question Knight’s combination of personal language and  hyperbole.

Who is the we Knight refers to? Does everyone take photos all the time?

Clearly I sit in isolation, because, as much as I enjoy using my camera to record special moments, I do not feel compelled to turn  paparazzi at the drop of a hat, tissue or yawn… Obviously I am not part of the ‘everyone’ group – I am not part of the cool, hip, or ‘in’ crowd (perhaps I am showing my age).

Maybe, if I was less confident in myself, I would be compelled to grab my phone and snap the dog before a wave of outcast fear overwhelmed me. Thankfully, I don’t. Instead I chuckle, shake my head and reach for my computer. I am grateful to be an individual who chooses her own ‘all the time’ actions.

Articles such as Knight’s fuel my quest to share the power of critical literacy. I believe (and here it is important to note the use of the word ‘I’ and think carefully about its use) critical literacy promotes self esteem. As a critically literate person, I can read an article such as the one written by Knight and rather than feeling deficient for not following ‘everyone’ behavioural patterns, I recognise the use of persuasive language, appreciate the humour, and feel content.

Again, consider my use of language; the word ‘content’ is used deliberately. Hopefully you can predict why. I use the word content to demonstrate a lack of aggression hurled toward another person’s opinion. I feel content to be an individual, I feel content to read opinions different to mine. I do not feel the need to debase another to argue my case. True, I may look for inconsistent argument, I may question use of language, but I am content to live with a difference of opinion. I attribute this to a strong sense of who I am. Critical literacy gives me this self confidence.

You may be wondering how critical literacy links to self esteem. Put simply it allows me to read past marketing hype and journalistic hyperbole. Therefore, I rarely absorb the ideas thrust upon me by the media; I don’t believe everything I read.

So no I don’t think everyone takes photos all the time.

What do you think?

Filed Under: Blog, Self Esteem Tagged With: critical literacy promotes self esteem, I am not like everyone else, I hate instragram, power of critical literacy

Teachers Empower and Support Students

October 19, 2011 By Nicole Feledy

Teachers need to empower students. Teachers need to support students so that they can develop their own voices and create meaningful legacies. This is the central message delivered by Alan November (an educator who seems to know what he is talking about).

In the video clip below he explains the role of technology and the importance of critical literacy. He offers a window to a model of inspiration led teaching; and he delivers his message through stories. Brilliant!

Let’s hope that those developing Australia’s National Curriculum take note of the needs of today’s students rather than the egos of yesterday’s bureaucrats.

Students must be supported and taught as they interact with the world they live in. Critical literacy is a key that will open the door.

Filed Under: Blog, Teaching Tagged With: Alan November, needs of todays students, Teachers empower and support students

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Nicole Shares Leadership Talents

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPG6tRrUC3I

Nicole Talks Connectedness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d73blYYRu_U&list=PLxDaK7wIyw947k6hxvoPa4-DYMbgJZYNt&index=1

Is This MyStory – Guided Meditation

https://isthismystory.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ITMSMeditation.mp3

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