Reflection 12

Well here it is... my last reflection. I think I'll finish where I started:

Learn - a process of gaining knowledge and skills through study and personal experience.

Teach - Explaining and demonstrating information in such a way that others learn.

Technology Education - Study of man's abilities to manipulate and control nature to their benefit.

These are my definitions. I kept them fairly simple for I strive not to over complicate things, yet I think they are pretty solid. For example, I think that if I tried to be more specific on defining Technology Education, the definition would not stick for its specific definition is continually evolving. With this broader definition, however, it can stand the test of time. If you really want to know what I mean, just ask me.

This has been a very good class for me. I've enjoyed the teaching experiences and the opportunities to observe others' teaching styles. I've enjoyed learning about what makes a successful teacher and will implement many of the things we discussed in class.

As for now, I think I'll go study a bit more for the final. Cheers.

Reflection 11

Well this week seemed to be the climax of the class. It was a really good experience.

First off though, working in a group: I don't have the best group skills. I guess it's cuz I was always put into groups with slackers so I ended up doing most or all of the work. Now it's kind of just my nature to take charge and make sure all the work gets done. I try to not seem overbearing and include everyone. This time I kind of just kept quieter than usual and went with whatever was said. This in itself was an experience for me. It got me out my comfort zone by doing what I was told instead of what I decided to do. Sounds kind of wierd now that I've typed that out, but that's how it is.

As for the teaching, I totally butchered the one little story I was supposed to tell. I know I can do a lot better than I did, but even still I enjoyed being there and working with the kids. I still feel very confident that I can and want to do this; I just need more experience. The End.

Reflection 10

This was an interesting week. I'm excited for teaching this next week. It should be a good experience. Still feel a little unsure on how much should be taught to 6th graders. Well I guess I'll just prepare some more by practicing and such. I think it should go well.

I've thought a lot about lesson plans this week. I actually saw a bunch of Shum's lesson plans that he uses. They're pretty tied to his style and personality. I also looked over the lesson plans of my religion teacher. He just has several large flash cards with points that he wants to discuss with the class. They were numbered for order, but he just jumps from card to card depending on the input from the students. This was an interesting approach that seems to be pretty common for religion classes, but I wonder if this could be implemented in an effective manner into regular classes as well. Just some thoughts...

Anyway, from the book I thought these were some important points on feedback:

Feedback:

Feedback should not just be right or wrong, it should included an explanation of why it was wrong.

Feedback should be given immediately (within a day or two) after a test/assignment.

Feedback should be specific.

Students should give some of their own feedback.

Feedback should be based on a rubric.

Reflection 9

Well another week gone. This sure has been going quick. The lesson plan assignment has got me thinking quite a bit. I know what I want to teach. I know fairly well how I want to teach it. I definitely need to work on getting these things on paper though. I have written lesson plans for church callings and for maybe about 5 lesson plans for school assignments... but that's about it. I am glad the STLs are over. It's always good to practice teaching. I'm excited to teach subjects which actually captivate me, but I also think it's important for teachers to show a positive attitude for whatever they teach. I say this because when a teacher is annoyed or bored because of what he has teach that is a HUGE cut into students' attitude/learning. For me anyway, if the teacher doesn't give out a positive vibe about a subject, then I completely tune out and don't really try to learn anything more than I absolutely have to know for the exam. Anyway... that's all I have to say for this week.

Reflection 8

Praise. I thought a lot about this after I got my feedback on my teaching. I believe that praise can be a huge factor to a student's success. This recognition of how well a student did can improve self esteem, increase confidence, and push the student to do even better on the next assignment.

However, praise can come off as patronizing, aka condescending. I didn't mean for the praise I gave to come off this way on Tuesday, but I can see how it did. For praise to come off effectively, it has to be completely genuine, and you have to convince the student that it is genuine.

On Tuesday, for example, the praise I gave was genuine, but I think I could have been more convincing.

I have been getting a lot of out of the reading this week as well. Here are some of my notes from the main highlights:

Teaching Strategies with Positive Effects:

· Student-centered instructions

· Teaching of critical thinking skills

· Use of “hands-on” laboratory skills

Identify Similarities and Differences

1. Direct Approach - Frankly showing students the similarities and differences.

2. Student Centered Approach – Give two objects and have the students identify the similarities and differences between them.

3. Visual Approach – Use symbols or graphics to illustrate the similarities or differences.

4. Variety Approach – Use four types of activities:

a. Compare – simply identifying the similarities and differences among things/ideas

i. The key is identify important characteristics

b. Classify – process of grouping things based on their characteristics/similarities

c. Create metaphors – finding the pattern of a topic then finding another topic that appears different but has the same general pattern

i. The key is to realize the items in the metaphor are connected by an abstract or non-literal relationship

d. Create Analogies – process of identifying relationships between relationships

Summarizing and Note Taking - Two of the most useful academic skills

To effectively Summarize Students must:

1. Delete – get rid of the fluff and repetition

2. Substitute – Reword information to better suit your understanding

3. Keep – leave the most important

This normally should cut out 80 to 90 percent of what’s presented.

Show students how to summarize and how to take notes. Don’t just tell them

Summary Frames:

Giving Students a base list of questions that they should answer:

1. Narrative Framing: Identify the Character, Plot, and Outcome.

2. Argument Framing: Pro’s and Con’s.

3. Definition Framing: Describe something.

4. Argumentation Framing: Arguments to support a claim

5. Problem/Solution Framing: Introduce a problem with possible solutions

6. Conversation Framing: Determine topic/purpose of a conversation

Reciprocal Teaching

1. Summarizing – in groups have a leader summarize what has been read with help from the teacher and other students as necessary.

2. Questioning – the student leader asks questions from his memory/the readings and the other students respond.

3. Clarifying – the student leader clarifies the confusing parts from the readings/assignment

4. Predicting – the student leader asks about what the students think can/will happen next

Note Taking

1. Verbatim – sucks, don’t use it.

2. Notes are work in progress – students should review/revise their notes

3. Notes are study guides for tests – Write the important concepts to understand

4. The More, The Better – There needs to be a good balance.

Use a paper folded in half, with Answer & Questions on each side.

Webbing

Effort and Recognition

Teach students that SUCCESS IS BASED ON EFFORT.

Talk about RUDY or THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD..

Find some feel good stories about effort and success.

The Hawthorne Effect: Powerful Education Technique.

Rising to the occasion because the situation calls for it.

Changing the attitude of the students – help them recognize the value of understanding

Intrinsic Extrinsic

Personal Desire To get the grade

Help them recognize the value of understanding Praise (ONLY WORTHWILE, TANGIBLE PRAISE)

(Pause, Prompt, Praise)

ONLY GIVE OUT PRAISE WHERE IT IS DESERVED.

Pause, Prompt, Praise: To check for understanding on the students part, pause everyone during the lesson, prompt them to answer a question, then praise them for their correct input.

Homework & Practice

Parent involvement in homework should be kept to a minimum. Parents should facilitate the homework, not just give the answers.

Clearly define the purpose of the homework: Homework is either to practice or to prepare.

Have a Homework Policy: Students and their parents should understand the amount of homework required, the purpose of the homework, and the consequences for not completing the homework, and a description of how the parents should help their kids.

Provide feedback for the homework soon after it has been turned in.

Have students keep track of their speed and accuracy while doing homework.

Have Focused Practice homework. i.e. instead of ‘design a webpage’ more specifically assign ‘how to effectively use the float attribute.

USE VISUALS

· Models

· Graphs

· Pictographs

· Charts

· Pictures

Cooperative Learning

Groups of 3 to 4 are the best.

Group work should promote:

1. Positive interdependence – a sense of ‘we swim or sink together’.

2. Face to face promotive interaction – helping each other, praising success and effort

3. Individual and Group Accountability – everyone contributes to meet goals

4. Interpersonal and Group Skills – learn how to work in groups, communication, conflict resolution

5. Group processing – reflect on how well the group is working and how to improve

Organize groups randomly. Never just based on skill. Could be based on:

· Birthdays

· Counting off

· Alphabetically

· Just mix it up

Do not overuse group work.

I'm really enjoying this read. I'm also getting a lot out of our discussions in class. The STL's are sort of dragging on though. The teaching of these is starting to get a little repetitious. This is just my opinion. They are over on Tuesday though... so that is good. Well that's all folks.