Wow! There is a whole lot going on in these classrooms, isn't it? Nothing like when I went to school. There are any issues to consider. There are distractions that teachers have to deal with in the best way possible for the environment and pulse of the class. I really enjoyed reading the IRIS modules. There was quite a bit of information in the reading. The scenarios presented are real life, daily situations that I am certain we, as prospective teachers will face. I stressed in several discussions this week, the importance of taking control of a classroom at the onset of a school year. I liken this to raising children. You must set boundaries but also goals in order to establish a relationship. I want my students to respect me and I will certainly respect them. I want to establish trust in what I say to them so they know that I am speaking from my heart in the hope that they are in my class to get the best instruction I can offer.
I am aware that it won't always be easy. I remember teachers getting very frustrated with students when I was in school. Sometimes they cried. It was usually the new teachers fresh out of school with only a minimum amount of exposure to real class situations. I do not remember so many alternatives for resolving problems.You either put your head down, stood in the corner, or went to the principal's office. I'm not so sure if old school tactics were the answer. I never disrupted the class because I knew there were dire consequences in my household. My parents were very proactive when it came to disciplining my siblings and myself. Acting out at school was a huge no-no.
Nowadays, the schools seem very busy with the issues that are more to the forefront than they were years ago. I do believe there were similar issues years ago, maybe not as many, but some just the same. I am glad that there are more people recognizing problems such as bullying, disruption in the class, learning problems and breaking the rules. The IRIS modules provided detailed examples of various scenarios such as students who were disruptive and the goal the teacher reached for to change the undesired behavior. They also showed ways for the troubled students to channel their energies into positive lessons.
Another aspect of this week's lesson that I paid close attention to was "The Goals of Classroom Management" (p. 473-475). I like that the author presented a straight forward question to the reader by asking "What is classroom management?" It made me wonder how I would answer. I know that the term means to manage the classroom effectively for the benefit of the students learning on a consistent basis but the goals also included additional details such as: access to learning, more time for learning and management for self-management. To self manage simply means to check your own behavior and accept the consequences for your own actions. So, while we are concentrating primarily on student's behaviors, we have to remember to monitor ourselves because we want our students to see the positive side of being a classroom leader. Unlike the angry teacher we watched on the video, I believe most teachers are following the rules and are managing the classrooms in an effective manner. The closer I get to the reality of becoming a teacher, the more real it seems........
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Module 2 Diversity
Wow, what a week it was in Educational Psychology!! We covered quite a bit of material. While it was all relevant to the main topic of education, the lessons and reading that I paid close attention to were:
In Chapter 4, I was concerned about subjects that focused on students with learning challenges. Although I have observed Special Education classes, I know there is no comparison to being a teacher in this field. Learning problems are researched in neuroscience. They are able to determine that the brains of students with learning disabilities show differences when compared with students with normal brain activity. Brain injury and disease can also lead to learning disorders. No student learns the same way. One of the problems that students can encounter is with reading. Indicators that teachers may follow to recognize student's problems are:
Anxiety around reading, difficulty recognizing words or letters, poor vocabulary skills, and difficulty with understanding or remembering what was read. (p. 137)
As a future teacher, I know the importance of being aware of the individual needs of my students. It is imperative to pay close attention and be mindful. Communication is a good way to sense each student and then assess their needs and what they are capable of. There are various types of issues to consider. Patience and strength are 2 attributes that I want to exhibit when I become a teacher. Students need to be able to rely on me as a teacher who will display leadership.
I am in favor of inclusion which was also discussed in this chapter. Inclusion is the integration of all students, including those with severe disabilities, into regular classes. (p. 132) It is interesting to me that humans have the capacity to learn in even the most severe situations. I think it was a good decision to include all students despite any type of disabilities. This chapter also focused on autism Asperger's, ADHD, and other types of learning disorders. It is vital to not only know about these disorders but know how to work with any student that is in the classroom. Even using appropriate labels to describe is an important detail to remember.
Chapter 5 dealt specifically with language development, diversity and immigrant education. Once again the topic of labels and differences was discussed. We live in a global society in America. It is definitely a melting pot. This is such a wonderful advantage for teachers and students. No longer will we only think and learn on a local level, we will learn about other cultures and customs from many placed in the world. Immigrants, people who voluntarily leave their country to become permanent residents in a new place, comprise 12% of the people born in another country. (p. 185)
When I become a teacher, I will encourage my students to study other languages besides English. I like the idea of introducing new words to one's vocabulary. A teachable moment could be students learning new words from other languages. Along with language, there are also customs that can be shown and lessons that could be developed from learning about a classmate's native land.
We have so much to learn as students, teachers, administrators or anyone who is in support of continued learning. I look forward to teaching and learning in a diverse environment.
In Chapter 4, I was concerned about subjects that focused on students with learning challenges. Although I have observed Special Education classes, I know there is no comparison to being a teacher in this field. Learning problems are researched in neuroscience. They are able to determine that the brains of students with learning disabilities show differences when compared with students with normal brain activity. Brain injury and disease can also lead to learning disorders. No student learns the same way. One of the problems that students can encounter is with reading. Indicators that teachers may follow to recognize student's problems are:
Anxiety around reading, difficulty recognizing words or letters, poor vocabulary skills, and difficulty with understanding or remembering what was read. (p. 137)
As a future teacher, I know the importance of being aware of the individual needs of my students. It is imperative to pay close attention and be mindful. Communication is a good way to sense each student and then assess their needs and what they are capable of. There are various types of issues to consider. Patience and strength are 2 attributes that I want to exhibit when I become a teacher. Students need to be able to rely on me as a teacher who will display leadership.
I am in favor of inclusion which was also discussed in this chapter. Inclusion is the integration of all students, including those with severe disabilities, into regular classes. (p. 132) It is interesting to me that humans have the capacity to learn in even the most severe situations. I think it was a good decision to include all students despite any type of disabilities. This chapter also focused on autism Asperger's, ADHD, and other types of learning disorders. It is vital to not only know about these disorders but know how to work with any student that is in the classroom. Even using appropriate labels to describe is an important detail to remember.
Chapter 5 dealt specifically with language development, diversity and immigrant education. Once again the topic of labels and differences was discussed. We live in a global society in America. It is definitely a melting pot. This is such a wonderful advantage for teachers and students. No longer will we only think and learn on a local level, we will learn about other cultures and customs from many placed in the world. Immigrants, people who voluntarily leave their country to become permanent residents in a new place, comprise 12% of the people born in another country. (p. 185)
When I become a teacher, I will encourage my students to study other languages besides English. I like the idea of introducing new words to one's vocabulary. A teachable moment could be students learning new words from other languages. Along with language, there are also customs that can be shown and lessons that could be developed from learning about a classmate's native land.
We have so much to learn as students, teachers, administrators or anyone who is in support of continued learning. I look forward to teaching and learning in a diverse environment.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Module 1 Effective Teaching
In this week's assignment, we were introduced to "Educational Psychology", our textbook by Anita Woolfolk. In reading the content, I was familiar with some of the terms and some of the history associated with the psychologists. I read through the material carefully because even though some of it was review material from previous Psychology classes, there was some information that was new to me and more detailed than what I have studied. One of the more interesting topics in Chapter 1 was the "What is Good Teaching"? features. To me, this is a question that can be answered by students, other teachers, parents, and administration. Each instructor will eventually develop a style that is comfortable and tailored to fit the needs of the students. They must become versatile and know how to do many things for many people. I feel that I could construct a classroom environment that would be conducive to learning and growing with a positive climate.
Being a new teacher does intimidate me because I carry no experience with me as of yet. However, because I have a family, I feel as though a classroom full of students that might have the same anxieties as mine might be a good experience. We would learn together. Getting to know students is one of the things I look forward to. Some of my concerns would be: the impact of my lessons, the feedback from my students, the relationship with parents and the community and satisfaction with my own efforts.
As I continued to read the textbook, some of the material was very interesting. In particular, Chapter 2 was very detailed. I have studied psychologists Piaget and Vygotsky. However, after reading about them again, my understanding was opened more. It is vital to me to understand the mechanisms of how the brain develops and functions. It makes more sense knowing that different parts are responsible for how we think, feel, judge, and laugh. Just as important, the brain's function accounts for how we learn. I understand the reason why we should have knowledge of the way it is structured and its job. For those who want to teach middle school students or junior high students, it is good to understand the adolescent development of the brain. It would explain what society sometimes calls "Teen Brain".
Studying the beliefs and theories of Piaget and Vygotsky is important too. Though some of Piaget's theory is limited, some of his principles are studied, such as schemes and the 4 stages of cognitive development, from infancy through college.(44-45) We watch and observe children using these stages from the infant stage to the high school and college stage and sometimes beyond. I have children. Early on in my motherhood I was not aware of the psychology aspect of children. I raised them to the best of my ability and from what I was taught. Little did I know I would be studying this subject. Now I look back and I can see how I some of these theories fit into the different stages of growth. I did notice and observe milestones in their lives but I did them as a mother would. The more I read and study, the better my understanding is coming. Even when I read about Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development, I reflect back on the times when my children were small. Did I support my child when learning how to complete a task, did I allow them to do it with no help or did I do it myself? Now that I can identify these terms and theories, I can look back at my teaching methods at home and assess my methods and the children's growth in different stages.
Since I have raised children who are now adults, teens, and preteens, I am well-versed in the topics in Chapter 3 of the textbook. From one end of the emotional spectrum to the next, this chapter speaks volumes to me. Watching my children grow and learn has been one of the brightest spots in my life. While it has not been easy by no stretch of the imagination, it has been an experience second to none. Just like I watched them develop into wonderful, responsible humans, I wish the same for my students. I want to care for their well-being as if they are my own. There will be stages of growth that are difficult, such as puberty and peer pressures. These experiences will ones of growth too.
Effective teaching to me is a method in which a teacher uses resources to the best of their ability to help a student achieve success. My 6th grade teacher Mr. Durning was an effective teacher. He went above and beyond to teach our class. He always had the most interesting lessons for us. He was funny and engaging too. I always felt that he got just as much out of his lessons as we did. Mr. Durning was a really great teacher. I aspire to lead my students into greatness. I know it will be a lot of hard work involved. I look forward to it. Teaching is privilege. Being a teacher will be one of the most important roles that I perform.
Being a new teacher does intimidate me because I carry no experience with me as of yet. However, because I have a family, I feel as though a classroom full of students that might have the same anxieties as mine might be a good experience. We would learn together. Getting to know students is one of the things I look forward to. Some of my concerns would be: the impact of my lessons, the feedback from my students, the relationship with parents and the community and satisfaction with my own efforts.
As I continued to read the textbook, some of the material was very interesting. In particular, Chapter 2 was very detailed. I have studied psychologists Piaget and Vygotsky. However, after reading about them again, my understanding was opened more. It is vital to me to understand the mechanisms of how the brain develops and functions. It makes more sense knowing that different parts are responsible for how we think, feel, judge, and laugh. Just as important, the brain's function accounts for how we learn. I understand the reason why we should have knowledge of the way it is structured and its job. For those who want to teach middle school students or junior high students, it is good to understand the adolescent development of the brain. It would explain what society sometimes calls "Teen Brain".
Studying the beliefs and theories of Piaget and Vygotsky is important too. Though some of Piaget's theory is limited, some of his principles are studied, such as schemes and the 4 stages of cognitive development, from infancy through college.(44-45) We watch and observe children using these stages from the infant stage to the high school and college stage and sometimes beyond. I have children. Early on in my motherhood I was not aware of the psychology aspect of children. I raised them to the best of my ability and from what I was taught. Little did I know I would be studying this subject. Now I look back and I can see how I some of these theories fit into the different stages of growth. I did notice and observe milestones in their lives but I did them as a mother would. The more I read and study, the better my understanding is coming. Even when I read about Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development, I reflect back on the times when my children were small. Did I support my child when learning how to complete a task, did I allow them to do it with no help or did I do it myself? Now that I can identify these terms and theories, I can look back at my teaching methods at home and assess my methods and the children's growth in different stages.
Since I have raised children who are now adults, teens, and preteens, I am well-versed in the topics in Chapter 3 of the textbook. From one end of the emotional spectrum to the next, this chapter speaks volumes to me. Watching my children grow and learn has been one of the brightest spots in my life. While it has not been easy by no stretch of the imagination, it has been an experience second to none. Just like I watched them develop into wonderful, responsible humans, I wish the same for my students. I want to care for their well-being as if they are my own. There will be stages of growth that are difficult, such as puberty and peer pressures. These experiences will ones of growth too.
Effective teaching to me is a method in which a teacher uses resources to the best of their ability to help a student achieve success. My 6th grade teacher Mr. Durning was an effective teacher. He went above and beyond to teach our class. He always had the most interesting lessons for us. He was funny and engaging too. I always felt that he got just as much out of his lessons as we did. Mr. Durning was a really great teacher. I aspire to lead my students into greatness. I know it will be a lot of hard work involved. I look forward to it. Teaching is privilege. Being a teacher will be one of the most important roles that I perform.
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