Chapter 6
Chapter 6 is about motivating the students by showing that you care and are passionate about what you are doing. Students may not want to be at school, but they do realize the importance of it, and understand that it affects their future. It is important as an educator, that you keep students from being bored and day dreaming their way through school. Several ways to do this, is by showing passion towards your subject area, apply issues that affects the students, make real world connections, work in groups, make sure they understand, provide role-models, and show interest and care about their questions and progress. It is important to understand that the student’s accomplishments are also the teachers. Teachers who can hook their students and motivate them to learn the material, are setting up students to succeed which is a great reflection of them as educators.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 5 was about understanding the differences in students, and how to use groups as a successful learning method in the classroom. All students have their own personalities and ways they go about acting in a classroom, it is important that all these students get an equal opportunity to learn in their own way, without the teacher being unfair. This can be very difficult, it is important to understand these students, and know what you have to do to touch upon all of the student’s strengths and capabilities in a classroom. One way to do this is by putting them in groups. Each student brings a different view or opinion to a group, which only maximizes the learning process. Groups can be a fun and great way to learn, they can also be a gate way to some students goofing off. Group member should be assigned different roles, and the teacher should have a grading system that forces all students to do equal amount of work without any domination. Group work should not be an easy assignment, but a challenging one that forces the students to combine their skills to reach their goal.
Chapter 5 was about understanding the differences in students, and how to use groups as a successful learning method in the classroom. All students have their own personalities and ways they go about acting in a classroom, it is important that all these students get an equal opportunity to learn in their own way, without the teacher being unfair. This can be very difficult, it is important to understand these students, and know what you have to do to touch upon all of the student’s strengths and capabilities in a classroom. One way to do this is by putting them in groups. Each student brings a different view or opinion to a group, which only maximizes the learning process. Groups can be a fun and great way to learn, they can also be a gate way to some students goofing off. Group member should be assigned different roles, and the teacher should have a grading system that forces all students to do equal amount of work without any domination. Group work should not be an easy assignment, but a challenging one that forces the students to combine their skills to reach their goal.
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Chapter 4 is about creating a successful atmosphere, and trust between the student and the teacher. Trust starts when the teacher understands the student, and where they are coming from. It’s important to push the students and have high expectations for them, but, there are times when the teacher needs to take a step back and understand what might be happening to the student or what they might be going through at that time. Teenagers go through a lot, including; acceptance from peers, values and priorities of friends and families, finding their identity, sensitive to certain things, and other struggles. If the teacher can respect this, and still support them along the way, then the student is more then willing to give their trust. Teachers should not compare students, treat others unfair, only push a certain few, and stop giving feedback; this is a way to lose students trust, and willingness to learn in your class. Its important to still push students, there are just times when a different approach is needed because of what they may be going through, the important thing is to never lose faith in a student and let them know that your there for encouragement.
Chapter 4 is about creating a successful atmosphere, and trust between the student and the teacher. Trust starts when the teacher understands the student, and where they are coming from. It’s important to push the students and have high expectations for them, but, there are times when the teacher needs to take a step back and understand what might be happening to the student or what they might be going through at that time. Teenagers go through a lot, including; acceptance from peers, values and priorities of friends and families, finding their identity, sensitive to certain things, and other struggles. If the teacher can respect this, and still support them along the way, then the student is more then willing to give their trust. Teachers should not compare students, treat others unfair, only push a certain few, and stop giving feedback; this is a way to lose students trust, and willingness to learn in your class. Its important to still push students, there are just times when a different approach is needed because of what they may be going through, the important thing is to never lose faith in a student and let them know that your there for encouragement.
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 3 is about how your behavior as an educator should be in a classroom, and what certain little things you can do to improve the learning environment. All students should be treated like an adult, which is with respect and fairness. The focus should always be to keep student learning the top priority. Students will agree that teachers, who listen, stick to the class rules and guidelines, let the student know the expectations and class work for the semester, and are consist, will be much more respected and appreciated. Students will enjoy and learn a lot more from a teacher who follows these guidelines, and in return, the students are much more cooperative and willing to do the work. Teachers always have high expectations for their students, it is just important that the teachers meet the expectations that the students also have for them.
Chapter 3 is about how your behavior as an educator should be in a classroom, and what certain little things you can do to improve the learning environment. All students should be treated like an adult, which is with respect and fairness. The focus should always be to keep student learning the top priority. Students will agree that teachers, who listen, stick to the class rules and guidelines, let the student know the expectations and class work for the semester, and are consist, will be much more respected and appreciated. Students will enjoy and learn a lot more from a teacher who follows these guidelines, and in return, the students are much more cooperative and willing to do the work. Teachers always have high expectations for their students, it is just important that the teachers meet the expectations that the students also have for them.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
NYT Middle School Article
The article Taking Middle Schoolers out of the Middle by Elissa Gootman is a debate on what settings might benefit the children more in school systems; k-8 schools or 6-12 grade schools. Many believe the 6-12 system allows the students to thrive around their older peers and be reminded of future goals, such as going to college. The system will allow the younger students to see the finish line, and excite them about being with the older students and going on to more education.
The k-8 option would nurture the students for three more years, and prevent them from making the harsh transition to a new school. Studies have shown that students in this system have done slightly better then the average student that age in a regular middle school. Students at that age are going through emotional, physical, and social changes. It’s important to keep them in a comfortable environment, instead of traumatizing them with new people, peers and school.
I personally believe that middle schools should not be taken out of the school district. I feel that the students enter the middle school before they start going through that emotional, physical and social changes. I believe that these students in 5-8 need their own system that helps them develop from the transition of elementary kids to high school students. If I had to choose between the two options of k-8 or 6-12, I would go with k-8. I believe it might stunt or change the student’s development. If I had to choose between the two, I would go with the system k-8. I feel that 6-12 systems will do more damage to students then good. I do not agree with the thought that students will thrive more around their role-models. Most high schooler’s are not good role-models, and I feel that the younger students would deal with more frustration because the lack of a support system, and would increase their chances of not finishing school. These students would spend more time on their own where they are not yet capable of knowing what is always right and wrong. The k-8 would give students that support system. Even though they would be babied, they would have more confidence and more discipline because they had the support.
The k-8 option would nurture the students for three more years, and prevent them from making the harsh transition to a new school. Studies have shown that students in this system have done slightly better then the average student that age in a regular middle school. Students at that age are going through emotional, physical, and social changes. It’s important to keep them in a comfortable environment, instead of traumatizing them with new people, peers and school.
I personally believe that middle schools should not be taken out of the school district. I feel that the students enter the middle school before they start going through that emotional, physical and social changes. I believe that these students in 5-8 need their own system that helps them develop from the transition of elementary kids to high school students. If I had to choose between the two options of k-8 or 6-12, I would go with k-8. I believe it might stunt or change the student’s development. If I had to choose between the two, I would go with the system k-8. I feel that 6-12 systems will do more damage to students then good. I do not agree with the thought that students will thrive more around their role-models. Most high schooler’s are not good role-models, and I feel that the younger students would deal with more frustration because the lack of a support system, and would increase their chances of not finishing school. These students would spend more time on their own where they are not yet capable of knowing what is always right and wrong. The k-8 would give students that support system. Even though they would be babied, they would have more confidence and more discipline because they had the support.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
QR: Podcast
I just happened to get an ipod for Christmas, so itunes is fairly new to me. It seems like everyday I learn something new about itunes that impresses me, and I must say that I was very impressed with the podcast selections they had. They had many subjects to choose from, and even more subtitles under them. I actually got under ESPN U, and listened to many of Andy Katz’s podcast’s about who he thinks should be number one, and what teams are on the bubble for making the tournament. I also got under Coach K’s pregame thoughts about tonight’s match up between his Duke Blue-Devils and the Clemson Tigers. My favorite was some fitness and nutrition podcasts I listened to. I want to find out how I can put these on my ipod so I can listen to them, I actually spent a good forty five minutes just listening to the sports and health ones.
LR: Podcast
Podcasting is a combination of an ipod and broadcasting put together. There are three different types of podcasts, and you can watch audio, look at photos or listen to recordings. It is very similar to a radio or television show, with the exception that you can pause, rewind, fast forward and play the podcast during any moment in the day. It reminds me of a tivo, with the exception that you can not record. It is similar to a tivo, with the exception that it has a combination of a video camera, recorder and camera.
Three examples for the use of a podcast in the classroom include: flash card use, downloading material for lessons, or class projects. Flash cards are a way for students to visually see the material, and also hear what the answer is. Podcast’s can download material that helps students better understand the material. An example would be if you’re describing how to properly do a fitness program, you could download a video of the fitness methods, and show the students. The last is for class projects, where students could get into more depth by using interviews, or video examples.
A teacher might use a podcast in the classroom to increase the enthusiasm and work ethic of the students. McGuire mentioned that it was proven students work much harder when they know there work is going to be broadcasted. Teachers could also podcast the student’s presentations, so that the students are able to place it in their portfolio. It’s an easy way for student to file their documents, which might help serve them later in school or life. Teachers could also download lesson plans to use for different topics.
The podcast might not always be a good idea for the classroom. It is important that the teacher and students understand all the copyright laws before they attempt to download, record of copy anything that might potentially jeopardize themselves and the school. Students might put something out on the internet with out citing it, or something that they do not have permission to use.
To be completely honest, I still have many questions about podcast. I feel that I missed out on a lot during McGuire’s speech when she was giving examples. All I heard was mumbling, and then the crowd laugh. What I have learned, I have thought of a few ideas that I could use podcast for in my class. The first would be as a project for the students, they could create a workout video that could be posted on the web along with an outline of the workout. I thought it would also be good for downloading guest speakers, and listening to them in class. I am sure once I understand podcast more, I then will have more ideas that I could use it for.
Three examples for the use of a podcast in the classroom include: flash card use, downloading material for lessons, or class projects. Flash cards are a way for students to visually see the material, and also hear what the answer is. Podcast’s can download material that helps students better understand the material. An example would be if you’re describing how to properly do a fitness program, you could download a video of the fitness methods, and show the students. The last is for class projects, where students could get into more depth by using interviews, or video examples.
A teacher might use a podcast in the classroom to increase the enthusiasm and work ethic of the students. McGuire mentioned that it was proven students work much harder when they know there work is going to be broadcasted. Teachers could also podcast the student’s presentations, so that the students are able to place it in their portfolio. It’s an easy way for student to file their documents, which might help serve them later in school or life. Teachers could also download lesson plans to use for different topics.
The podcast might not always be a good idea for the classroom. It is important that the teacher and students understand all the copyright laws before they attempt to download, record of copy anything that might potentially jeopardize themselves and the school. Students might put something out on the internet with out citing it, or something that they do not have permission to use.
To be completely honest, I still have many questions about podcast. I feel that I missed out on a lot during McGuire’s speech when she was giving examples. All I heard was mumbling, and then the crowd laugh. What I have learned, I have thought of a few ideas that I could use podcast for in my class. The first would be as a project for the students, they could create a workout video that could be posted on the web along with an outline of the workout. I thought it would also be good for downloading guest speakers, and listening to them in class. I am sure once I understand podcast more, I then will have more ideas that I could use it for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)