Frames, Paradigms, and Paradigm Shifts

After reading the article “Frames, Paradigms, & Paradigm Shifts”, I have once again refreshed my mind with the definition of a paradigm since last semester when I first encountered this same topic. A paradigm is defined by this article as the right and only proper way that one individual thinks of what is right and true. Every human being has there own paradigms or in other words ultimate view of what is correct. Having a paradigm isn’t necessarily a good thing because this thought process can hinder a person from moving forward to being more open minded to new ways of thinking that can help a that person grow and move forward. Another term which is closely related or even sometimes confused and thought of to be the same thing is a framework. A framework is basically a web that your mind forms in order to connect certain thoughts and similarities together to basically form a connection and a way of thinking which in turn eventually leads later on into a paradigm which is when some of these put together thoughts happen and prove to the person that the way they were thinking is the only correct way. People form paradigms in many different areas and based on many dissimilar experiences which most of time only happen with one person. Paradigms are sometimes formed by religion, race, sex, and even culture. A paradigm shift is something that happens when a person has an experience that doesn’t fit into that person’s already created paradigm. That person then realizes that their way of thinking must not be true and then changes their paradigm to find that new experience which didn’t find into it before. Personally I don’t think that I’ve had a paradigm shift as of right now in my life. Or maybe I have had a shift and I’m not aware of it. I think that it is important for teachers to experience a paradigm shift because just as every other person, teachers also need to remember that their ways of thinking are not the only right and true ways to approach things. As a teacher which is passing on knowledge onto other students and younger generations, it is good to be able to explain to them that they should look for more alternatives and more than one straight line of thinking in order to decide what’s the right thing.

The Transformation Process

After evaluating what I read from both transformation articles, I learned that transformation has a more in depth meaning that I had never thought of before understanding these readings. MA/C which is explained as multicultural awareness/consciousness in my interpretation is a complete understanding of the surrounding world by being aware and open minded. To be a completely multicultural aware and conscious person, this person would have to evaluate their thoughts and beliefs not only once, but repeatedly to make sure that they aren’t being biased or unfair because of personal conflicts or values. The reading goes on to explain that the term transformation is closely related or even sometimes overlaps other terms such as renovation, alteration, makeover, revolution, conversion, and recovery. Even though these terms are all used interchangeably, they convey different meanings when it comes to being a multicultural aware person and completing that transformation. I believe that being a completely aware person takes time and practice. It takes both time and practice in the sense that the person must take a good look at themselves’ and see where their personal values turn into barrier which could later on affect them in many ways from moving forward in all aspects of life. The reading explains that once a person has become MA/C they are able to continually reinvent themselves, meaning that they can change and embrace change, accept different people and the differences seen in other people, and also be able to adapt to other cultures and feel as comfortable in that culture as if it were their own. Being able to reinvent oneself might sound like it could be done easily but it’s much more complex. In order to reinvent oneself that person has to change how they see themselves in relation to the surround world. They would have to change their self-concept and give themselves’ self-esteem and self-worth. To accept others and their cultures, and be able to feel comfortable in another culture a person would have to be more tolerant. To understand another culture the person would have to expose and interact with other cultures and other people to get a better understanding of them and their lifestyles in order to aid the transformation process.

Prehistoric Humans

From reading the three assigned articles about the invention and use of fire, the wheel, and also the invention of writing, I have gained knowledge about where these inventions came from. Scientists strongly suggest that fire could have been used from as far back as 230,000 years ago, even though its uses were modified throughout time fire was already being handled by humans. There is evidence that fire existed as far back as 1.5 million years ago, but most researchers believe that this existence of fire was not purposely created by humans, but may have been Mother Nature’s doing. About 125,000 years back, fire became a common thing. Humans began not only controlling fire but also using it to their advantages for things such as keeping them warm and also using it to cook their foods. The creation of the wheel, even though no one person was credited for it, was thought to have been created about 4000-3500 BC in Mesopotamia or even Asia. Unlike fire, the wheel was a more thought out process that man went through when putting it to use. Humans began to understand that by using a round object (the wheel) along with a flat surface on top which they referred to as a sledge they would be able to transport goods more quickly and efficiently from one place to another. Hence, this also helped them with making money since they were able to trade with other’s at a quicker rate. Even though this invention must have taken time to modify so it would work the way they wanted to, by using the wheel and horses they created a mode of transportation not only for goods but also for themselves, making life easier by using their knowledge. Writing was another invention that was very helpful to the human race. The Sumerians invented Cuneiform which was a form of writing where pictographs (pictures used to represent words) were used. The invention of writing was essential for humans so that they would not only be able to communicate, but also keep records of their belongings, their crops, and also their knowledge. As a pre-teaching intern I believe it’s important for us to have the foundation of knowing where these everyday objects we use come from. How can someone teaching writing to another person without knowing where and why it came to be? It’s imperative to be knowledgeable of how people in ancient history evolved and used these inventions to survive and also teach to the generations that came after them.

My Biography and Statement of Purpose

My name is Barbara Sanchez. I’m 20 years old turning 21 on February 7^th. I graduated from high school in 2007 and this is my second year at Miami Dade College. I am aspiring to become an elementary school teacher. I was born in Miami, Florida into a very small family; only my mother, father, and brother. My parents came over to the United States from Cuba in 1980 in search of new hopes and opportunities like many other immigrants. Since early age my parents instilled the idea of becoming a professional in what ever it is I loved, because in communist countries such as Cuba individuals were not allowed to pick their profession it was chosen for them. My mother was an elementary school teacher in Cuba which was very beneficial to me in my younger days because she used her teaching skills to reinforce what my teacher’s had taught me in school and the things that I did not have a clear understanding of. I believe that I do want to become an educator partially because of my mother and also because of my sister-in-law. I did my high school community service hours by volunteering at Miramar Elementary helping my sister-in-law with FCAT incorporated ideas, grading papers, making photocopies, bulletin boards, etc. It gave me a slight outlook on certain things that teachers do in preparation for their day, while they teach their lessons, and also when they come home after a long day of work and begin to grade papers. I am also currently working at an elementary school as an after school counselor. As a counselor we try to help students with their homework, reading, writing, and we talk about character and teach them about things such as responsibility, respect, etc. I feel as if I can offer students a genuine attempt at teaching and helping them understand their lessons thoroughly. I have a passion to teach because it is something that hits me so close to home, and I know how advantageous having a wonderful instructor can be to the learning process. If students are truly motivated they will want to learn the material. I feel that after the proper training I will be a great, inspiring educator.