A Different Experience

School is a rollercoaster of events no matter if you attend the institution or if you work at the institution. Today was eventful in the sense that my last class of the day has a very interesting group of kids who are quite different from the ideal bunch of students that we all would like to think replicates a growing educational environment. It's not so much that they bother me, but they make attempts on certain days to bother others in the classroom. It's an obstacle, and this is teaching. I, unfortunately, had to address the small group after school with the hopes of reshaping their thinking and preparing them for a better tomorrow - we will surely see.

My pre-teacher, however, seems to enjoying herself. In fact, she had the opportunity to visit another class today (12th grade English), and tour the building. I think she is going to be a relatively good teacher (hard to tell; it's sort of early), because she is very observant and receptive. The other aspects of extensive content knowledge, educational policies, and classroom leadership will follow as she continues through the educational program at her college, but she is fairing well for a freshman.

Yesterday (January 23, 2012)

The inconsistency in which I report events is not due to my lack of want but accessibility (okay merely an excuse). There is a pen, paper (of some sort), and a keyboard always at my fingertips or hands reach. Nevertheless, yesterday's escapade was rather interesting. The students were geared up for what you could call a normal Monday. Most of them were dreary and not too excited about learning (mostly due to the storm and possible tornado). Despite the emotions, we were able to have a productive conversation and read through our text. I think my intern (pre-teacher) enjoyed today's lesson and hopefully received some insight. The highlight of today was the opportunity to see one of my students who vowed to marry a rich guy (not labor or date beneath the "status") working at a nearby restaurant. She did listen to my rambling speech about self-worth, character, and purpose (even said, "you were right..."). One of those things that makes me think I love these kids.

Module 6 Reflection

This module has helped me think about self-directed learners and the role of differentiation in the following ways:

Variety is an essential part of molding creative and effectve minds. Learners who become self-directed through formative assessments, differentiate lessons, and student-centered classrooms are more likely to grasp and retain concepts. In addition, self-directed learners are more likely to work effectively as independent workers with only hopes of intrinsic rewards. Therefore, the application process of any lesson becomes driven by success and not completion. Basically, students are working to satisfy or confirm personal mastery of a concept; they are not merely checking something off their list of tasks.

Fortunately, the aforementioned type of students increase the possibility of differentiation in the classroom. Opportunities for peer teaching, small grouping, and student teaching become available because of the increase in student knowledge and application. It is at this point that education becomes truly essential to student development.

Module 8 Reflection

Of everything you learned, what do you think will have the biggest impact on student learning?

Based on my past experiences, it is evident that technology is developing and transforming the classroom. However, that is very general. I would have to definitely say that assistive technology is a wave that will have a major impact on the way students think and act. Although all technology is assistive in its own way, I am talking about the technological tools that alleviate known and unknown handicaps. Tools such as Alpha Smart and the Zac Browser are revolutionary for not just the children with disabilities but their teachers as well. All classrooms can essentially become inclusive (including all students despite deficiencies).

Besides, the biggest problem in the classroom is the physical and cognitive disadvantage amongst children. Once the gap is closed, or at least made very narrow, we will truly be working in an environment where we can say “No Child Left Behind!”

Module 5 Reflection

This module has helped me think about student-centered assessment in the following ways:

Philosophers, educators, and administrators continue to talk about constructive teaching and student-centered instruction. This is the type of instruction that keeps students involved in their learning process. Of course this instruction should be supplemented by constant student-centered assessments. However, a lot of teachers continue to give their students assessments that are direct models of standardized tests.

This particular module made me realize that my rubrics must be tailored to the students understanding-not just a group of words that can be distinctly defined by me. Students should have a definitive idea of what they are expected to produced. This gives students an outline, allowing them to work towards the goal presented and not expected. The student ultimately becomes an agent in his or her grading process. This benefits the teacher, because now the student is getting the concepts that he/she (the teacher) meant to be grasped.

Module 4 Reflection

How can technology be used most effectively to support and assess student learning?

Technology (new technology) provides several avenues for teachers and students. One of those avenues is innovative and fun assessments. Tools such as clickers provide an opportunity for games like Jeopardy, or any of the similar games, to help assess students knowledge. Blogs are also great tools for keeping logs and assessing students progress. More importantly, technology is not only saving the trees but it is saving time. Most technological tools or assessments create rubrics, graphs, and different score charts that show results just as fast as the students input the information. This saves teachers a lot of time, which in turn gives them more time to mediate and assess their students progress. It is effective in saving time and creating an assessment that students will truly enjoy completing.

Module 3 Reflection

This module has helped me think about the impact of the Internet on my students' learning in the following ways:

The classroom can be opened as often as Wal-Mart (on Atlana Highway 0f course). Through web pages, chatrooms, and other useful interactive tools, students and parents are able to communicate with teachers and peers on a consistent real time basis. A coumputer is in almost every home, and almost every student knows how to navigate through the Internet. Students can turn-in assignments, check homework, complete group projects, virtually visit the library, and many other things. In addition, the Internet makes learning fun by painting pictures and linking children to distant worlds. It is a resourceful tool for teachers as well, opening up lecture time and eliminating the 50 to 90 minute window.