Teaching Observations

I was able to go and observe Jay Anderson at Vista Heights Jr. High today.  It was so much fun watching and learning how he teaching and how his classroom functions.  It really put some anxiety to rest that i have had about teaching.  I don't know why i had such anxiety, but actually seeing how others teach in a real situation, brought confidence and motivation to me.  I can truly appreciate the effort it takes to capture the attention of middle school kids.  they can't sit still for longer than a minute.  Jay did a very good job of relating to the students while keeping them in line.  once the kids got onto computers to use google sketch up, they were very active in their learning.  from what I gathered the students were taught briefly of some requirements for their project and had to figure out how to do it on their own.  I think that is one of the best ways to learn is by going in head first.  while some students may struggle, teachers can be there to help guide when needed.
I want to be able to get kids motivated to learn by being excited myself, and showing how what I am teaching can help them in their lives.  Teaching and learning with the students is most effective because it lets everyone grow together and when people grow together, exponential learning is achieved.

Learning How to Teach And Learn

From class and the readings I came across many helpful insights.  In class we played the game with 20 pennies in which there are 2 people playing and each person takes turns and can choose 1 or 2 pennies.  The person who takes the last penny wins. There is a formula to winning that correlates with learning.  The formula is break the pennies into groups of 3 and you can win every time if you keep it that way.  From this game I realized that when you know the formula to winning, nothing can stop you.  This is just like exponential learning.  learning exponentially is a goal i have for me and those who I teach.  To accomplish this everyone involved, both teacher and learner must learn from each other and teach each other.  If there is desire to learn, and desire to teach, learning flourishes.  To create this atmosphere a teacher must tap into the students to unlock this potential in them.  In Walter Gongs book he discovers this and implements it into his classroom.  He teaches towards students gaining experience in a topic by having the students teach each other and the professor.  When students can teach they learn, when a professor can learn from students, they will teach better, and both will grow and be edified together.  Its going to take some pondering and careful planning on my part if I want to do this with students

Reflection 2

            The Book, The First Days of School, has been pretty forthright in highlighting certain aspects of being a successful teacher. In part B and C most of what I gathered was about how important it is to dress and act for success. 

            In chapter 8 it mentions how dress affects the work, attitude, and discipline of the students.  Dressing in a professional manner helps you as a teacher in four areas.

1.     Respect

2.     Credibility

3.     Acceptance

4.     Authority

I can agree with this because I’ve noticed that when a teacher who dresses professionally has taught me, it’s easier to learn and trust what they are teaching.  I have seen this principle work in my life when I served a mission.  No one would trust some random 19-year-old dressed in street clothes to teach them about the gospel. That’s why missionaries dress the way they do and are can posses the 4 characteristics mentioned earlier.

            In chapter 8, it also briefly mentioned that teachers need to prepare students for the world and to think globally. I feel this can be done by constantly teaching students how technology affects them and the world around them. In TEE, technology is what we teach, and showing kids how that technology is used in other countries will expand their scope to from school, to the world.

            In the end of section B and most of section C, the book explains the importance of being and inviting individual and providing an inviting atmosphere.  Just as a person who looks sad and depressed is uninviting to approach, so is a teacher if they act similarly.  Always be happy, excited, polite, address kids by name, and much more.  Having this kind of attitude will help you manage your class because kids will respect you, and want to learn from you.

            Relating to attitude, in class earlier this week Geoff talked about morals and how we as teachers need to decide if we are just there to teach them a subject, or to help them become better morally as well as teach your curriculum.  I tend to agree with Geoff’s point of view here because if you can help someone become a better person and visa versa, there is a connection and bond that exists that will edify and uplift both student and teacher, just like it says in D&C  50:21-22.

            In class we also learned about 3 different methods of teaching: cognitivivism , behaviorism, and constructivism. These three learning and teaching styles will help reach all types of learners. And it will take some practice and some more observing from me to know best how to use these styles. 

TEE Capture and Reflection 1

            What I have learned from school and other life experiences is that there is no greater feeling than to help someone else learn about something you are passionate about.  With that passion there must be training and practice in order to teach about it most effectively. 

            The readings from The First Days of School (Wong) are plain to understand, and the importance of being an effective teacher is laid out very clearly.  In the first chapter of part A, it points out that teaching is not your typical 9 to 5 job, and that in order to be successful you must know that as a teacher you have the power to change lives.  How you master that power is a process of doing things right consistently from the first days and weeks of each school year. In the book on page 4, I liked where it said, “Student achievement at the end of the year is directly related to the degree to which the teacher establishes good control in the very first week of the school year.” This makes perfect sense because you help the student realize what standards they can achieve.  Not only is helping students achieve greatness your main goal in teaching, but starting them along that path is most important of all.

            In the second chapter of Part A I enjoyed the equation on page 10, which reads, “Well-ordered environment + positive academic expectations = effective classroom.”  A well-ordered environment is completely in your control as a teacher.  In order to establish this kind of environment you must have classroom management skills that will fuel learning and provide the tools and motivation necessary for students to achieve success.  That success has to be defined, upheld and you as a teacher should always believe that every person you teach can and will achieve success. Being able to help each student get to that point requires you to master your lessons.  You must know how to design your lessons to make sure each student can learn a concept. With that you must also know how to check for understanding and evaluate in order to know that the students have mastered those concepts.

            The final chapters of Part A reiterated to me the importance of learning.  As a teacher you should be constantly learning in order to most effectively teach.  Listening to your co-workers and learning form their experiences can help you do that.  Along with others' experiences and examples, you must research your field and learn to teach from proven, research based practices.  In other words do what works best and know how to use all of the resources available to you, to help others learn effectively and achieve success.
            Today in class (9/4/12) Jeff used some example early in class to illustrate some points and lectured/ shared experiences that helped me understand his teaching philosophy. I learned a lot from what he taught and got excited to understand more, and learn hot I can teach, help, and change lives. I want to think more about what I want to be as a teacher. I will talk to my parents to understand their philosophies of teaching and see what they know to help me form my philosophy.