Throughout my undergraduate teacher training courses and into the first two years of my teaching career, I was pressed to believe that “good” teachers lead quiet, highly-structured classrooms. Teachers deliver lessons, students complete assigned tasks, teachers assesses, repeat. Lee & Hannafin (2006) note that “traditionally, curriculum and teaching methods were characterized as emphasizing compliant understanding, expecting and receiving explicit directions from instructors...” (p. 709). Within this sterile learning environment, I saw school-wide challenges that many of the teachers and students were facing- a severe lack motivation, choice, inquiry, and engagement. My students and I grew bored, disinterested, and unmotivated, yet all the while, my observers praised my teaching methods and classroom “management”. As a new teacher I found this disheartening.
I was relieved after I began teaching in a different school district where I was encouraged to implement teaching techniques that involved my students in engaging opportunities of inquiry and collaboration. And as I began graduate coursework in Curriculum Studies I started to truly grasp the fundamental aspects of student centered learning (SCL). Student-centered learning is supported by some of the most influential theorists, “...such as Dewey, Montessori, Rousseau, and Paulo Freire, all of whom posited sometimes quite different versions of student-centeredness” (Newman, 2013, p. 164). While there are numerous
In the video Building Relationships: Share Passion with Students, Mr. Van Dyck shows us what it means to be a teacher that models a passion for learning by showing interest in your students. Mr. Van Dyck connects with his students in ways that allow him to take interest in his students. When students see that you show interest towards them and care about their education, then they develop more interest to learn. Mr. Van Dyck connects with individual students by taking interest in them, he challenges himself to find a special interest in each one of them, and he also find ways in which he can see himself in them. This video also shows how you can draw on some of your own personal experiences to better understand and connect with your students;
Although Harry Wong focuses more on classroom management and not the demographics of the classroom, him and Gary Borich both equally emphasize the importance of a positive and supportive classroom environment for all students. Wong declares,” It is the teacher – what the teacher knows and can do—that makes the difference in the classroom.” (81) Effective teachers provide all students with equal opportunities for learning by utilizing culturally responsive direct instruction, questioning and classroom management. Caring for students and building a nurturing environment that accepts all students and allows them to engage in profound learning experiences are fundamental characteristics of effective
What kind of imagery comes to mind when the word savage its said aloud? What kind of connotation does you think drives this word? Primitive, barbarian, negligent? Because if so, it’s a perfect word that depicts what author Jonathan Kozol, in his book Savage Inequalities: Children in America’s School, is trying to portray about the United States School System. His book opens the eyes of the reader to the worse and best of what schooling in the U.S is.
I had made something of value” (Rose, 1989, p. 9). He had met his teacher’s expectation and that made him feel accomplished. On the other hand, if a teacher expects very little from their students, the students will slack on their assignments and tests and become lazy, knowing they will not be
“The behavior of difficult-to-manage students can be improved through providing interesting lessons on topics of personal relevance that permit active involvement and lead to competencies students consider important” (Charles & Senter, 2005, p. 131). This statement summarizes perfectly the idea that when students are engaged and learning about topics that are meaningful to them, their world opens up and they begin to see a purpose in what they are doing. According to Trevor Muir, a teacher and author of The Epic Classroom, conflict can motivate students and develop a sense of curiosity (T. Muir, personal communication, February 20, 2018). When students are presented with a real world conflict, they become motivated to find a solution. Project-based
Though testing is necessary with the current structure of evaluating students, there is a conscience effort to improve schooling for students. Hoping to stay teaching in Eastern Washington, I am excited to see teachers setting the foundation for change. I hope that I have the opportunity to not only help my students inside the classroom but also in a more political way that will help students that I am not teaching. Like many things that I’ve experienced in these last ten weeks of class, my thoughts on education have definitely been
Every child can learn and every child must learn with inclusive pedagogy through accessibility of education. If it is not, I am determine to make it become accessible by any means small or large. Sharing thinking with Ben Carson, I “Think Big”; I believe that I can be the change and with courage and determination I am the change. 100% numeracy and literacy is my all time goal and I will achieve because I believe.
Within the realm of education, there are numerous ideologies that may be utilized to construct a curriculum. Several of these ideologies are more prominent than others. With this in mind, there are four main ideologies that are analyzed more frequently than others; these include Scholar Academic, Social Efficiency, Learner-Centered, and Social Reconstruction. Throughout this paper, the focal point will be assessing how these views are applied, both inside and outside the classroom.
In a learning environment, teachers want to help students engage with what they are doing to promote deeper understanding" (Kohn, 1997c). The student-directed learning theory implies that the teacher should share the
Student Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the teaching initiative, undergrad nursing students will be able to: 1. Identify two indications and two contraindications for Foley catheter insertion. 2. Discuss catheter-associated urinary tract infection & apply evidence-based principles for inserting and removal of a catheter. 3.
When I decided to train to become a professional school counselor, I knew I had a long road ahead. I am trained to be a teacher, a special education teacher to be specific, and though I will be able to use much of my past experience as a classroom teacher in my school counseling practice, I am aware that I will also need to see my students in a new way, a more holistic way. I will need to focus not only on what works in the classroom, but what works in order to motivate and support the students with whom I meet. It is essential for me to determine what will drive me, inspire me to be the best school counselor for both my school and students, therefore, I must determine my professional philosophy of education and school counseling and develop my beliefs, vision and mission statements.
There must be Willingness of the teacher to accept responsibility for classroom control and Long-term, solution-oriented approaches to problems. Techniques for Better Classroom
Sadker & Sadker (2017) believes that, “behind every school and every teacher is a set of related beliefs--a philosophy of education--that influences what and how students are taught. A philosophy of education represents answers to questions about the purpose of schooling, a teacher's role, and what should be taught and by what methods” (Chapter 9). I seek to adopt the progressivism approach. Progressive education rejects traditional education as it is child-centred and not subject-centred (Reedy, 2017). My Philosophy of education requires me to ask myself questions on why do I teach, what do I teach and how do I teach.
Throughout my training, I implemented various strategies for engaging students in small groups and rigorous lessons. My role as a teacher is to communicate effectively, be respectful, and have self-worth and confidence. I did fear making wrong choices throughout this field experience. I set high expectations the students to achieve high goals. Teaching to me opened doors to many students’ lives.
I believe in the student centered approach to teaching. This model has proven to be more effective than the teacher center model. The teacher acts as the facilitator. The student and teacher need to learn what works together. The curriculum should be based on the specific students in the class and the activity that is going on at the time.