Thing 3

As I reflect back on teaching and learning when I was a child, it seems like another world. I can vividly remember sitting in a very structured classroom with the teacher standing in front of the classroom in complete control. The classes were textbook driven, and we, the students, were passive learners. There was very little technology used. I can remember watching films once in a while. Even science experiments were rare until I was in high school Biology class.

We were taught the basic facts of the core curriculum subjects. Memorization was definitely a big part of my learning experience. Although I do remember many things that I memorized, there are also many things I forgot after the test were given mainly because they did not seem relevant to me. Everyone was given the same assessment which the teacher graded.

There have been many changes since I was a child but these changes have come slowly. I do use textbooks in my classroom but there are many times when the students are given projects or other group assignments. I act as the coach/facilitator and help the students as needed. There is definitely active learning in my classroom. I try to use a variety of assessment types so the students can choose the type best suited for each of them. I use technology in my classroom as part of the learning process whenever possible. Some of the technology I use include PowerPoint, digital storytelling, interactive websites, researching on the internet, and I am fortunate to have a Smart Board in my classroom which the students enjoy using. I think it is important that learning is fun for the students so they are motivated and want to continue learning. Although technology is important, it is still necessary to have a high level competence in the traditional academic disciplines. We are moving in the right direction. Now we need to bring what we teach and how we teach into the 21st century.

I often wonder if I would enjoy being a student now.

Thing 2

I have to admit that this is my first experience with blogs. I have never written or read a blog before nor felt any need to do so. I am sort of a private person, and I prefer to share my thoughts and opinions only with people I choose. I guess you could say I am somewhat out of my comfort zone. As such, this will be a totally new experience having my thoughts viewed by the public. It is somewhat scary to me knowing that I could be judged by someone who knows nothing about me. I am, however, always open to new experiences so I am willing to begin a new adventure of sorts.

I enjoyed the blog on Guerilla Season Book Club. The questions were well written, and the students needed to think before they answered the questions. I can see how this would be a very interesting way of getting students involved in a classroom book discussion. When the students were finished reading the book, I’m sure they understood its content much more than if they had just read the book and were assigned to do something like a book report. Obviously rules would need to be established before we began. Safety of the students would also need to be considered.

Well, here’s to new experience …….