This past week I had the opportunity to sub in a classroom. It was a fairly easy job. All I had to do was pop in a movie, monitor students' behavior, and then ask a few questions at the end. The very last I had to ask students was what they would change about the way they were taught. Since I'm a recent graduate with a degree in Elementary Education, I thought this question was perfect. It would give me an insight to students' opinions on schooling.
I, of course, got silly answers like nap time, being paid to go to school, being allowed to chew gum, etc. However, I did get a lot of valuable answers. The answers varied from less group work, opportunities to be more creative, more hands-on activities, ability grouping, a fun classroom environment, more art on the walls, etc.
Now you may start to wonder how this blog relates to technology, but I promise I'm getting there. Since I didn't have much to do during my teacher's prep time, I started thinking about the students' responses. I got the impression that they really didn't like school. This saddened me. I started to brainstorm things that could possibly change their views on school. What did I think of right away....? TECHNOLOGY! I haven't been in CI 556 for very long, but I have already worked with so many programs that I feel would change these students views about school. In a world that's technology driven, I feel it's important for teachers to go with the trend and try to use more technology in the classroom. I think one of the great things that we have learned in this class so far is that when you use technology in the classroom it doesn't have to be a big ordeal that takes days to finish. It can be very simple, and it will still better your lesson and possibly even make learning fun for students. If you can have all of those things, why not use technology?
As a teacher I try to reflect often with my class and other peers about what could be done differently. We usually discuss after every few lessons about what was valuable and why and what could be done differently. I try to keep a very open mind when it comes to teaching and my classroom because I am a visual learner and I constantly remind myself not everyone learns the same way. If something does not go like I planned or could be more successful if I changed something up then I do that. There is nothing more sad to me then when students do not want to come to school and be in class. I remember back about six years ago when I was being evaluated by the administrator at the school I was teaching at. The class did not understand what and how I was teaching this particular subject so I let them know we were going to stop right there and start all over again with what we knew and that we would go slower and approach it differently. The administrator wrote in there good for you that you knew your class well enough to stop and start over even thought I was in there to observe a specific lesson. It has always stuck with me that it's ok to change it up and or start it over, but most important the student needs to know it's an environment they can trust. Great observation and questioning on your part as the substitute teacher. There is nothing worse than a teacher who gets stuck in a rut. I hope your first day went great!
ReplyDeleteJo-I think that's great advice. It is important for teachers to know their students and also what their needs are. It's also hard for me as a visual learner to remember that others learn differently. I know it will be difficult for me to "get in the grove" these first few weeks but hopefully it won't be as bad as I'm thinking it will be.
ReplyDeleteKrystina-It sounds like the teacher gave you some pretty easy lesson plans! At least you got some good out of it. Teachers do need to take the time to listen to their students, even if the students are giving you tips for teaching differently. The older grades especially know how they learn the best and often will tell you. It doesn't mean you have to use one or two specific methods, but mix them up a little and see what works for the class as a whole.
Krystina, you hit the nail on the head in observing that the use of technology does not have to be this big, complicated thing. It still amazes me that I could have lived under such a misconception concerning technology. What a liberating feeling to know that a TPACK approach is supposed to enhance the learning experience and not to complicate it. It seems as if the programs we investigated in class so far have the potential to lend a sense of creativity and excitement to lessons that are otherwise repetitive and just plain boring in nature.
ReplyDeleteAnd Jo, what good advise, thank you. I will definitely make it part of my teacher's make-up :)
I appreciate all of your comments! Jo, I think that was some great advice. I had this talk with my cooperating teacher when I was student teaching. The class I was teaching wasn't understanding what I was teaching and I wasn't sure if it was ok for me to stop in the middle of a lesson and change my approach. My teacher said this is most definitely ok. In fact, she urged me to do this because good teachers realize that there is a problem and do something to change it right away. I'm glad you shared this story with me! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteGreat response to your post! I really like that you took your time to survey the students. Interesting responses! Students do know what they want and how they can learn. I realize it is still a "teacher's" decision, but listening more to students might give us more ideas on pedagogy! How we teach is extremely important to students --- and then that technology!
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