The main purposes of this trip were for the students to get an appreciation and experience with a different culture (language, way of life, food, etc.) and experience different types of educational settings and styles. After meeting today with representatives from Academia Cotopaxi, Andean Study, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, I believe that we have accomplished our goal. Dr. Cozart and I have constantly asked the girls for feedback and ideas for next year.
Academia Cotopaxi
CofC group waiting inside guarded gate at Academia Cotopaxi
Our experience at Academia Cotopaxi was wonderful. The girls were able to integrate well into classrooms, help with instruction, tutor students in small groups or one on one, and learn from some excellent teachers. The comparison between AC and Gabriel Garcia Marquez was also a highlight of this trip. We all could see that learning and teaching can happen in any situation with any set number of resources. The level of education is influenced by many items, but we found that caring teachers who are well qualified have a better time influencing students.
Allison teaching ESOL
Allison teaching in Academia Cotopaxi
Allison can be seen in both pictures. On the left she is leading a classroom of 36 fourth grade students in English language acquisition. On the right, she is working in small groups to inprove reading comprehension and skills. The experience that the girls received were varied, but they highlighted many different and acceptable types of teaching and learning within the contexts of each school. Context is appropriate since we can describe each school based upon the school climate, clientele and parental support.
Katie Teaching Spanish at Academia CotopaxiAnna Teaching at Academia Cotopaxi
Anna Teaching at Academia Cotopaxi
One fo the main differences in the style of teaching revolved around how many children were in each classroom. Our English instruction was done in a more Socratic method in which the teachers would speak and ask for classroom or individual responses. This was due to the number of students in each class at GGM. At AC, we were able to work with children in small groups or one on one. As the pictures above show you, Katie and Anna were able to work with small groups and individuals. The kindergarten classroom in which Anna was placed was truly an exception. There were only 16 students, but 5 of them were second language learners. The teacher’s aid worked constantly with those 5 while the teacher has the kids in circle time or working at stations. Anna was a floater and worked individually with students assessing them and providing instruction.
English class at UTE with Lauren and Katie
The work we did at UTE was a different story. They were unorganized, and the teachers were not ready for us to enter their room. We did learn a lot from their teaching or style of teaching. We will take from this experiences those items which we can directly implement into our classrooms. Not all experiences were valuable, but they were educational. In many instances we just sat and talked. In other scenarios, we discussed or presented mini, interactive lectures about certain concepts or topics (economy, elections, president, education system, and college life). We tried to blend in with the current teacher’s style and method of teaching.
Even with all of this work, as part of a Service Leaerning Program, we still had time for fun. The fun involved seeing and learning the culture. For example, Angela and I went to an old part of town that had been refurbished. The beautiful narrow streets with white washed walls took us back 300 years to colonial times. Indigenous musicianWe did learn about music, history, and art while browsing the shops.
Indigenous musician
The indigenous singer on the right was at a restaurant we visited with my family. He sang traditional Ecuadorean and Quiteno songs using a guitar and a native flute. Another part of the culture we experienced was the eating of a guinea pig. Guinea pigs are popular here for special occasions. When Angela and Shawanda stayed with the indigenous family near Cotocachi, their family was saving and feeding their guinea pigs for a near future wedding. Well,
Dr. Coasrt eating an Ecuadorian delicacy, cuy, or guinea pig
Angela just ahd to try guinea pig or cuy (pronounced ‘koo-ee’). This should show you the extent and sacrifice we went to to be able to comment and share culture with you all. She ordered it and ate it, I just had a bite. It takes like pork with a little game to it.
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May 28th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Thank you for taking the time to share your adventure with all of us back home. It has been very educational and very enlightening to learn more about Ecuador from your perspective. Most of all, thank you for sending pictures of the students so we can see that they are all still in one piece!! We appreciate your time and effort. Enjoy your last few days and have a safe trip home.
Sally King (Lauren’s Mom)