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youths

When I think of adolescents, my first thought turns to one of my favourite TV shows, 30 Rock. In one episode, Liz Lemon sees her love interest into a cab and looks down her New York street, glimpsing a group of teens walking down her block. Liz panics and gasps "Oh God. Youths!" and runs into her apartment. No matter how many times I watch this show, this scene does not fail to make me laugh. Now, as I re-watch it, I wonder, what conceptions of adolescents does Liz have?

For me, the primary marker of adolescence is experimentation. Now, when most people think of teens and experimentation, they automatically think "sex, drugs, and alcohol!" At least, that is what I immediately thought of. However, experimentation transends those big three and applies to every aspect of life. Finally, adolescents are at a period in their lives where they can call some of the shots. They get to decide for themselves what sports and activities to try, who they want to associate with or what hobbies they want to engage. They get to explore the world around them and decide for themselves what is important to them. This is the start of teens forming their own identities; trying on new hats, as the cliché goes. The American Psychological Association sums up experimentation, stating that it is a positive sign that an individual feels secure with him or herself, and is willing and eager to explore the unknown (APA 2002). This whole document is very helpful in explaning and justifiying adolescent actions. I think it would also be beneficial to give this resource to teens so they can learn more about themselves and have their questions answered when they are too shy to approach an adult.  

Knowing the importance of experimentation in adolescence is important in two ways. First of all, it is important to be aware that experimentation is a healthy and normal process for everyone. Obviously, there are safer and more dangerous forms of experimentation and, as educators, we need to be aware of this and watch out for it. Secondly, I belive it is important to help foster this sense of experimentation and curiosity within adolescents. From an academic standpoint, in order to encourage and sustain experimentation and curiosity, I will try to develop my lessons on a inquiry based format. I will use the interests of my students to guide my lesson planning, focusing on what the students really want to learn. This will not only allow them to dig deeper into their interests, but shows them that their curiosities are valid, appreciated, and worth examining. From a non-academic perspective, knowing that experimentation is a naturally occuring process with teens, I will need to make myself available to my students for any questions or concerns they have. To some of my students, I may be the adult they trust the most, and I need to let them know that I am available to them. I will establish a base of trust and respect with my students so they feel comfortable approaching me in these strange, developing times. 

experimentation

what is adolescence?

all children start their school careers with sparkling imaginations, fertile minds, and a willingness to take risks with what they think.

- Sir Ken Robinson

 

References

American Psychological Association. (2002). Developing Adolescents: A Reference for Professionals. American Psychological Association. Online version.

Smith, Kristy Johnson. Creating a safe space for students to take academic risks. LearnNC: The First Year. 

Based on what you feel is the best characteristic of adolescents in 2014, how might this characteristic influence the way you teach?

how does knowing about adolescent development help me teach?

One topic that really facinated me in this course was James Marcia's theory of Identity Status. This theory is based on whether or not adolescents have explored various identities and whether or not they have committed to those identities. The model is divided into four statuses, depending on the level of exploration and committment the teen has made. The Informational identity style describes an adoelscent who deliberately seeks out new information in order to reevaluate their views and ideas. A teen who deliberately seeks out and explores new information will reach the status of Achievement or Moratorium, arguably the two healthiest and most desired statuses. To help my students feel safe exploring their identities, I need to make sure they feel safe exploring in the classroom. Exploration must be encouraged and facilitated in the classroom. Students need to inquire and reach new understandings. Only through these inquiries will they be able to reevaluate ther own understandings and reach Achievement. 

Has the teen committed?

Has the teen explored?

James Marcia's Identity Status Model

Knowing that exploration is not only natural for adolescents but pivotal in their development helps me better understand them and how to approach them. My classroom needs to facilitate and encourage exploration, both for the academic and personal benefits. But how do I make my classroom a facilitory space for this? This article by Kristi Smith outlines three ways teachers can ensure their classrooms are exploration friendly. First of all, it is important that I demonstrate exploration. I need to lead by example and show my students that it is okay to try new things, and indeed, fail at them too. Secondly, I must be willing to fail (arguably the definition of exploration.) I should be able to try something that I know I may fail, letting my students know that failure is always possible, and then demonstrate how to learn from that. Lastly, I can applaud students who takes risks, acknowledging the risks they took reinforcing their entreprenurial and risk-taking efforts.

Erickson also identifies that adolescent exploration also permits them to discover and expand on other areas of interest. As we have seen, discovering other interests helps teens to expand their own understanding, but it also helps them learn more about themselves and the world. Adolescents deserve to get their hands on as much as possible throughout their educational years so as to discover their real passions. Ken Robinson argues that the educational system has been too focused on churning out students and has forgotten to nurish the creativity in our youth. It is important that we let our students explore and not limit them in any of their areas of interest. Allowing my students to study and persue their passions will help them find their true callings.

Another Ken Robinson video that really emphasizes the importance of letting students explore.

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