Agent Psychology

Sample Assignments

Example #1

I enjoyed reading this article by Elder Walter F. Gonzalez, as it has changed my perspective on teaching, and provided specific ways in which we can become a teacher more like the Savior. While citing specific scriptures where the Savior directly taught the people, Elder Gonzalez categorized the types of questions the Savior used as He taught the people. The first type of question was "memory questions." In order for the Savior to teach someone a doctrine of the Gospel, He would ask them a memory question, or a question that showed whether or not someone understood the facts of something. An example of these types of questions would be "What is written in the law?" The second question was "reasoning questions." These types of questions were asked by the Savior to make "us rely on our ability to discover knowledge," (pg. 30). An example of these types of questions would be "What do you think of ...". The third type of question was "questions for the heart." These types of questions allow someone to apply the knowledge to their lives and express feelings. As we discover knowledge in this manner, the knowledge becomes connected to our feelings, imprinting it onto our souls. Examples of these types of questions would be "Believest thou this?" These three types of questions allow the teacher and learner to become connected, and allow the learner to explore knowledge and connect it to their life.

This article has changed my perspective on teaching. Elder Walter stated "Appropriate questions directed to the heart can invite the Spirit into any teaching situation," (pg. 31). I have always believed this, but was not sure as to how to specifically implement this into my classroom. But, as Elder Walter explained that each of these three types of questions have different depths of understanding, I realized that each of my students will have different depths, as well. Not only will their intelligence levels be different, but their ability to feel things will also be different. If I can use the right questions, I will be able to help the students learn more. As they learn more, their hearts will be open, and they will be more receptive to the Spirit. Of course I will never verbalize matters of the Spirit, but children are very susceptible to the Spirit. As they discover knowledge, their confidence in their own abilities to learn will grow, and new doors and talents will be discovered. I am so excited to become a teacher and try and implement this in my classroom.

This new information will change the way I teach. To show specific ways I will implement these new ideas, I will use the example of teaching a social studies unit on the Civil War. As I present a new lesson, I will teach it in a manner in which the students have an opportunity to learn as best they can- through open discussion, presentation, facts, and visual aids. The only way I will know if they understand the material will be to assess their knowledge. As I assess, I will use memory questions. I cannot ask each and every student questions, but I can divide them into groups to have smaller discussions, give them worksheets to see their thought process, or allow a few students to answer questions. I will then help them to reason, asking them to write a response to a question such as "What do you think about the way George Washington led the army?" or "What is your opinion about the slave issue?". I will then ask them questions of the heart, such as "How do you feel about this war?" or " What would you feel like if your Dad or brother were fighting in the war?" By implementing these new techniques into my teaching, I know that the students will be able to master the knowledge, as well as apply it to their lives. They will begin to recognize their personal viewpoints on subjects, and most importantly, be able to feel closer to their Heavenly Father. I know this way of teaching will open the channel of revelation, and invite the Spirit into my classroom.

Example #2

I chose to read the article The Heart of a Teacher: Identity and Integrity in Teaching by Parker J. Palmer. This was such an amazing article! He begins by discussing that we teach who we are. By this he means that teaching comes from within us. I love how he says, “teaching holds a mirror to the soul”. This is so true because when we teach, we become completely vulnerable and the true intent of our soul is translucent. He says that we need to teach intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. They should all be interwoven in our curriculum just as they are woven inside of us. The best teachers are those who connect themselves with their students and also their subject. The teacher becomes “whole” when they are able to do this. They have a self identity, their students love the class, the subject being discusses, as well as the style in which it is being taught. Teachers who demonstrate connectedness are generally the teachers who students describe as their favorites or those who made the most impact on them. Good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher, and the center of teaching is a teacher’s heart. We choose to teach because of reasons dear to our heart. It could be love of children, a subject, or wanting to help people learn. This invites vulnerability and ridicule in the sense that we’re laying it all on the line. Palmer talks about getting back in touch with the teacher within. We knew this teacher as a child, and it’s voice is of integrity and identity. Overall, we must be in touch with ourselves, our true identity, our heart and soul to be good teachers.

This article has changed my perspective of the teaching profession in many ways. As I read this article, I made me remember the reasons I applied to the program in the first place. Teaching comes from the heart. I didn’t sign up for a big paying job, but to love children, help them learn, and be a mentor to them. I hold all of those things dear to my heart. It is so easy to look at teachers even now and think that they are just going through the motions. But they love what they do! They’re completely vulnerable, but they come to campus everyday because they love us and want us to succeed. They share with us the depths of their souls, connecting themselves to us and the subject being discussed. This article just really made me remember how honorable and noble a profession teaching is.

I hope this article will change the way I teach. I am sincere in saying that it really touched me and opened my eyes to things I have never considered. I want to be a good teacher. I want to feel connected to all of my students, and I want them to feel connected to me. To do this, I know I must show them the depths of my soul and what lies within my heart. This is when students become most responsive to the teacher and want to learn. One thing that will change is I will not focus my efforts entirely on just lesson plans and project planning, but on teaching my students from my heart which is who I am. Knowing myself inside and out is also another way I hope to change. I know that being one hundred percent comfortable and confident with myself will only allow me to be a better teacher. Knowing myself is as important as knowing my students. I loved this article. It really has made a difference on how I plan to do things in my own classroom one day!