Fire-hose of material to be learned. All is vitally important. I guess we live in the information age, but sometimes i feel fatigued with the flood of information.
Especially as the semester approaches an end, my feet sink deeper into the murky swamp of assignments, projects, and expectations. Lifting one foot causes the other to plunge deeper into the engulfing bog. The band Dream Theater captures the equation of my funneling barbarity and distress.
Watch me
Fading
I'm losing
All my instincts
Falling into darkness
Maybe that's a little drastic or cynical, but, in contrast it could also be veracity verbatim.
One of the main reasons I enjoy the TEE major is justifiably because of the high expectations and the encouragement to learn. Although this can de daunting and overwhelming it helps us stretch and reach a little higher to obtain goals. This is the inspiration I hope to instill in my students. To Dream the Impossible Dream. To set goals, stretch self, and become better because of it.
Dec 10, 2010
Reflection #7
Here is a reflection on forgiveness. Several days ago I tried submitting this reflection but it was closed, and I could not. Now that it reopened I feel like this can be a second chance, a new beginning.
When we feel like all our doors are closed, there is always a way for them to be reopened. On a religious note, I am grateful for the plan of salvation and the chance to change our lives through Jesus Christ. The gospel he teaches is one of personal progression, repentance, and change.
Christ, the Master Teacher taught with love and compassion. He instructed through illustrations, painting a paramount picture of perfect principles. His words gently urge and encourage us along as we emerge from our old selves and purge ourselves from the ways of the world.
When we feel like all our doors are closed, there is always a way for them to be reopened. On a religious note, I am grateful for the plan of salvation and the chance to change our lives through Jesus Christ. The gospel he teaches is one of personal progression, repentance, and change.
Christ, the Master Teacher taught with love and compassion. He instructed through illustrations, painting a paramount picture of perfect principles. His words gently urge and encourage us along as we emerge from our old selves and purge ourselves from the ways of the world.
Relection #12
In class we talked about the educational psychologists a little more, and about teaching technique and philosophy. This was interesting to touch on again since it has been so long since we initially developed our own teaching philosophies.
As I think about my own teaching philosophy, I can tell it has been influenced at least slightly by this semester's activities. My philosophy now has many angles and various considerations, and sounds a little more based on research and study than simply opinion and preference.
Something else I have reflected on at the end of this semester is how our confidence as students has built. Initially we taught for only 5 minutes with little training. Now, with a semester behind us we've taught in an elementary school for a couple hours at a time. This is a great way to boost confidence.
Teaching is something we all do everyday, but knowing techniques in how to do it better is invaluable. I hope to be able to use these skills to teach future students and inspire them to go above and beyond the boundaries of learning they have previously set. That's where inspiration and realization begin to change someone and help them exceed a previous notion about their potential.
As I think about my own teaching philosophy, I can tell it has been influenced at least slightly by this semester's activities. My philosophy now has many angles and various considerations, and sounds a little more based on research and study than simply opinion and preference.
Something else I have reflected on at the end of this semester is how our confidence as students has built. Initially we taught for only 5 minutes with little training. Now, with a semester behind us we've taught in an elementary school for a couple hours at a time. This is a great way to boost confidence.
Teaching is something we all do everyday, but knowing techniques in how to do it better is invaluable. I hope to be able to use these skills to teach future students and inspire them to go above and beyond the boundaries of learning they have previously set. That's where inspiration and realization begin to change someone and help them exceed a previous notion about their potential.
Nov 11, 2010
Reflection #10
Today and last time we have been in groups working on our lesson plans for the sixth-grade classes. Even though we are planning to teach them, I am learning a lot in the process.
I learned once again that working in a group can be difficult at times because there are so many ideas from different perspectives. The benefit of this though is that usually the best results come from this sometimes difficult process of collaboration.
Planning lessons has given me a greater appreciation for teachers who really take the time to plan for their classes. It has also helped me to categorize different styles of teaching and use them together in such a way that they support and built off of one another.
Learning new things everyday is the best. Hope it goes on forever.
I learned once again that working in a group can be difficult at times because there are so many ideas from different perspectives. The benefit of this though is that usually the best results come from this sometimes difficult process of collaboration.
Planning lessons has given me a greater appreciation for teachers who really take the time to plan for their classes. It has also helped me to categorize different styles of teaching and use them together in such a way that they support and built off of one another.
Learning new things everyday is the best. Hope it goes on forever.
Nov 2, 2010
Reflection #9
Today in class there were several things that I observed that I liked and could incorporate similar ideas into my own teaching.
-Geoff teaching about lab maintenance with such passion and energy. Looked like the man in charge when he stood on the shop table and we had to literally look up to him.
-Steve's example with T of the bridges and how they are supported.
-Tyler's debate, that got the students excited and involved.
-Greg's activity with building houses out of "pre-fabricated" graham crackers.
I think I enjoyed these examples in particular because they involved the class and were full of charisma. This helps the students get invested in the material and develop a desire to learn more. It gives importance to the subject being taught and the material presented.
-Geoff teaching about lab maintenance with such passion and energy. Looked like the man in charge when he stood on the shop table and we had to literally look up to him.
-Steve's example with T of the bridges and how they are supported.
-Tyler's debate, that got the students excited and involved.
-Greg's activity with building houses out of "pre-fabricated" graham crackers.
I think I enjoyed these examples in particular because they involved the class and were full of charisma. This helps the students get invested in the material and develop a desire to learn more. It gives importance to the subject being taught and the material presented.
Reflection #8
Something I noticed this week was that for one of the teaching classes Professor Wright was not initially in attendance. Some students asked whether or not he'd be there later, or if he'd be there at all. In any case, the class began as normal, and class procedure seemed to run smoothly.
The students taught one after another, and the participants took notes and evaluated the teaching. Everyone knew what he or she was supposed to do, and where to be. When Professor Wright eventually did show up, class was unaltered and the transition was smooth.
What I observed from this is that it is important to have a set schedule so that if you have to turn your class over to someone else, things go well. This also makes the job of the TA or the substitute teacher much easier, and facilitates a seamless transition from teacher to teacher. This is an important situation to address and prepare for so that when it happens you are prepared.
The students taught one after another, and the participants took notes and evaluated the teaching. Everyone knew what he or she was supposed to do, and where to be. When Professor Wright eventually did show up, class was unaltered and the transition was smooth.
What I observed from this is that it is important to have a set schedule so that if you have to turn your class over to someone else, things go well. This also makes the job of the TA or the substitute teacher much easier, and facilitates a seamless transition from teacher to teacher. This is an important situation to address and prepare for so that when it happens you are prepared.
Reflection #7
We've recently been watching everyone else teach in class and receive feedback. This has been very helpful to see strategies that are effective, and those that could be adapted for success in various classroom settings.
One element we've discussed several times is that of proximity. When the teacher moves around and includes the students in what is going on, the lesson becomes more engaging. This is something I noticed we could all work on.
Also, this series of instructional lessons has prodded me to cultivate creativity and explore new teaching methods. Diversity in instruction can lead to diversity in learning.
These were the main points I've noticed thus far.
One element we've discussed several times is that of proximity. When the teacher moves around and includes the students in what is going on, the lesson becomes more engaging. This is something I noticed we could all work on.
Also, this series of instructional lessons has prodded me to cultivate creativity and explore new teaching methods. Diversity in instruction can lead to diversity in learning.
These were the main points I've noticed thus far.
Oct 12, 2010
Reflection #6
Today in class I was among several who taught lessons relating to technology in the medical field.
I taught about robotics in surgery. This was really interesting for me to study and learn more about. When I taught it I was able to solidify this knowledge and see the areas where I needed to study more.
I noticed that while I was teaching a few questions came up that I had a hard time answering. Now I know in the future to study more and imagine potential questions that might be asked. This would help the class flow better and engage the students in helping them learn specifics that they want to know.
I also received feedback that I need to work on proximity---getting up in people's faces and moving around. So I'll work on that too.
I taught about robotics in surgery. This was really interesting for me to study and learn more about. When I taught it I was able to solidify this knowledge and see the areas where I needed to study more.
I noticed that while I was teaching a few questions came up that I had a hard time answering. Now I know in the future to study more and imagine potential questions that might be asked. This would help the class flow better and engage the students in helping them learn specifics that they want to know.
I also received feedback that I need to work on proximity---getting up in people's faces and moving around. So I'll work on that too.
Oct 7, 2010
Reflection #5
After we discussed the personality test in class I evaluated more completely my own personality results.
Initially, I was very surprised to see I scored highest as Analytical. I don't see myself as a very analytical person, but according to the results I indeed do. So does everyone else. AND I work that way too. As a possibility for these results I concluded that this is my somewhat coerced destiny of personality because my second highest score is hardly compatible with "real life".
Being expressive as a second highest I needed something to keep me in line, so I guess I turned analytical. When I'm not tied down to a task or working however, I do maintain a very non-chalant and often very expressive demeanor.
This personality test was quite revealing, and could be very beneficial in dealing with people and improving communications.
Initially, I was very surprised to see I scored highest as Analytical. I don't see myself as a very analytical person, but according to the results I indeed do. So does everyone else. AND I work that way too. As a possibility for these results I concluded that this is my somewhat coerced destiny of personality because my second highest score is hardly compatible with "real life".
Being expressive as a second highest I needed something to keep me in line, so I guess I turned analytical. When I'm not tied down to a task or working however, I do maintain a very non-chalant and often very expressive demeanor.
This personality test was quite revealing, and could be very beneficial in dealing with people and improving communications.
Oct 5, 2010
Reflection # 4
This last week we went to another Jr. High school to make observations. This was a much more positive experience than the former. This visit I noticed many effective teaching strategies and techniques that worked well for this age group.
The class I observed was a class of 7th or 8th grade students. They were learning about the basic principles of physics, and building paper rockets. Here are some of the techniques the teacher used that I would like to remember:
- Musical, rhythmic, and repetitious jingles to help the kids get quiet
- Lots of checking for understanding. Frequent questions.
- Smart delegation. Each student knew his/her responsibilities and expectations.
- Energy and excitement for the material
- Real world application
These are the main things I noticed that I thought were very well done and effective in this particular classroom.
The class I observed was a class of 7th or 8th grade students. They were learning about the basic principles of physics, and building paper rockets. Here are some of the techniques the teacher used that I would like to remember:
- Musical, rhythmic, and repetitious jingles to help the kids get quiet
- Lots of checking for understanding. Frequent questions.
- Smart delegation. Each student knew his/her responsibilities and expectations.
- Energy and excitement for the material
- Real world application
These are the main things I noticed that I thought were very well done and effective in this particular classroom.
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