For my field observation, I focused on two students who I concluded had very different demeanors while in class. Whether or not they learn the content is still not completely clear however, I feel that deductions can be made. One of two students always stays on task during class hours, during PAWS (a 30 minute period during the day where students are able to seek help from a teacher from another class, work on homework from another class or silently read) I see that Esteban* works on assignments due for the current class or reads silently. Overall, Esteban has not spoken outloud during class, he does not volunteer answers but will answer if spoken to. Typically he works by himself and does not ask for assistance on his work. If asked about his progress, he quickly shows his work as evidence and states that he's doing just fine. The assignments given to students are clearly stated each day and therefore each student are expected to complete each task and therefore hopefully "learn" the material. For Esteban, the eye contact he makes with the instructor and also the notes he takes during class are evidence to me that he his learning. However, if that is not enough, his quiz scores also reflect some kind of knowledge absorption. Yet, the material so far could have been prior knowledge for Esteban and therefore would explain his success on the quiz and would not correctly assess whether or not he has learned anything "new".
The second student I observed has quite the opposite demeanor than Esteban. ChiChi hardly pays attention during class, in fact she talks quite a bit even during lectures. She writes down everything written on the board but hardly maintains eye contact with the instructor. When she asks for help, she needs to be led and she continues to have repeating questions. She makes conversation with the people around her and heckles other students who are across the room. I can't be certian that ChiChi has not learned anything in the class because I have seen her complete some of her assignments and also help her friend with some of the material presented in class however, her quiz scores reflect otherwise. If she is not chatting, I see her eyes wondering through out the room. I feel that she has the ability to complete all the assignments however, it appears that she may lack enthusiasm or motivation for the subject. (This is not an observation, merely an opinion in this case.)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
On the first day of school, I came into the classroom not knowing what I was in for. I was uncertain of what my clear role was going to be for these first few days in class--was I to be involved? If I was supposed to be involved, how was I to incorporate myself without feeling like I was intruding? Or am I to just speak when I was spoken to? Either way, I spent my first day of school sitting at a desk taking notes....for...all...5...classes! Might I say that they are some detailed notes! However, since I'm in two PreCalculus classes and three Algebra 1 classes, my notes became very repetitious which in the end makes sense since the material and lesson plans for each class should be the same. I saw how the dynamics of each class differed as each class period changed. Many freshman and a few sophomores are in the Algebra 1 classes and those classes tended to need the most reminders for the noise level while the PreCalculus class that consisting mostly of juniors also had a few volume adjustments but overall were easier to get back on the listening track.
My cooperating teacher did so kindly introduced me as the student intern to all his classes made them aware that I would be teaching some of the classes later on. I really do appreciate this introduction, my only fear is that students won't ask me for help because "it's not my turn" to be teacher but that is why I declare that tomorrow I will be a little bit more assertive in my intern role. It's not my cooperating teacher's responsibility to tell me what to do in class but to guide me and he is very willing and open to the suggestions that I have, it is my own assertiveness that I need to check.
Today I will continue to take very detailed notes, but I think as the day progresses I will have to put the pen down and start moving around the classroom because I'm really getting tired of writing. Tomorrow we have planned for me to take attendance to help me start memorizing the students' names and I'm excited!
My cooperating teacher did so kindly introduced me as the student intern to all his classes made them aware that I would be teaching some of the classes later on. I really do appreciate this introduction, my only fear is that students won't ask me for help because "it's not my turn" to be teacher but that is why I declare that tomorrow I will be a little bit more assertive in my intern role. It's not my cooperating teacher's responsibility to tell me what to do in class but to guide me and he is very willing and open to the suggestions that I have, it is my own assertiveness that I need to check.
Today I will continue to take very detailed notes, but I think as the day progresses I will have to put the pen down and start moving around the classroom because I'm really getting tired of writing. Tomorrow we have planned for me to take attendance to help me start memorizing the students' names and I'm excited!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Weekly Blog 12/3/09 - 12/8/09
1. The most significant thing I learned this week was about Astrobiology. I find the subjust facinating however its a subject that one can get easily lost in the jargon.
2. I would like to learn more about the kind of facts that astrobiology have discovered or on the verge of discovering.
3. This intro to the course is a great way to show students that we can have different backgrounds and that shouldn't limit us in what kind of field we would like to take up.
2. I would like to learn more about the kind of facts that astrobiology have discovered or on the verge of discovering.
3. This intro to the course is a great way to show students that we can have different backgrounds and that shouldn't limit us in what kind of field we would like to take up.
Weekly Blog 11/26/09 - 12/1/09
1. The most significant thing that I learned this week was how difficult it is to agree on how or what to teach. I found this from doing our digital story, it basically took us most of the class period to only narrow down what subject we wanted to talk about and then go over some animations that we would like to include.
2. I would love to work on more collaborative work, it helps to practice communication skills.
3. I can see how learning to work with other teachers can help support my own teachings. It helps me view my subject area in different perspectives.
2. I would love to work on more collaborative work, it helps to practice communication skills.
3. I can see how learning to work with other teachers can help support my own teachings. It helps me view my subject area in different perspectives.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Weekly Blog 11/19/09 - 11/24/09
a. The most significant thing I learned this week was how difficult it was to write an executive summary. This was my first experience writing an executive summary and I guess I was more concerned about the general format of a summary. Plus I discovered that it is quite difficult to write less versus writing more.
b. Although I loathe writing papers, I believe that I do need a bit of practice. I wouldn't say that I wanted to do more papers, but I guess I would like to have more guidance on how to create a well written paper.
c. I'm not sure how my ability to write an executive summary would be applicable in the classroom but I know that it would be advantageous me and for my general knowledge.
b. Although I loathe writing papers, I believe that I do need a bit of practice. I wouldn't say that I wanted to do more papers, but I guess I would like to have more guidance on how to create a well written paper.
c. I'm not sure how my ability to write an executive summary would be applicable in the classroom but I know that it would be advantageous me and for my general knowledge.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Weekly Blog 11/12/09 - 11/17/09
a. The most significant concept I learned in class this week is to look beyond computer games as merely kid's pastimes, but rather a way for children to create experiences and ideologies.
b. I'd like to know if there is some research or correlation between the amount to technologicial tools available in a school and the success of students of that school? What kind of research has been done? OR is there some kind of correlation with the lack of technological tools in a school and the success of the students of that school.
c. I would hope to see that in the future more classrooms are able to receive all the tools the teachers need to ensure that their students are learning. I would apply my knowledge about how helpful computers games (certian games) can be to a student's learning and would probably integrate some time where kids can play supervised computer learning.
b. I'd like to know if there is some research or correlation between the amount to technologicial tools available in a school and the success of students of that school? What kind of research has been done? OR is there some kind of correlation with the lack of technological tools in a school and the success of the students of that school.
c. I would hope to see that in the future more classrooms are able to receive all the tools the teachers need to ensure that their students are learning. I would apply my knowledge about how helpful computers games (certian games) can be to a student's learning and would probably integrate some time where kids can play supervised computer learning.
November 12th Blogging Activity
Given the view of schooling in the readings for this week, which technologies do you think are most likely to be taken up in schools? Why? Which technologies push your thinking about teaching and learning? Why? Do these two lists necessarily line up?
I think the integration of any sort of new educational tool will help encourage learning even if it is directed towards a small few. However, this wouldn't be the most intelligent way to distribute the school's financial budget. The kinds of technologies that schools probably will invest in are ones that are not as costly which therefore results in low quality (although this is not always the case). But also based on the reading, the kinds of technology integrated in schools will have to be accepted by most teachers and administrators which then creates difficulty in agreeing on one tool becuase of differences in opinions. The kinds of technologies that I believe would be most easily accepted into school are things that can be considered necessities-overhead projectors, PCs, TVs, recorders, scanners-other types of equipment that is practically seen in lots of classes now. However these necessary tools are not exactly the ones that would promote to push a student's thinking or a teacher's learning. I don't think that what we find necessary in class is exactly parallel to what we could use to help promote better curriculum or student learning. Integration of certian computer programs in math classes or science classes can give students an alternative to a way of learning through interactive play and without the health risks or mess (primarily in science classes). I believe that students should be given the opportunity to explore and find the best way they can learn and therefore create their own success.
I think the integration of any sort of new educational tool will help encourage learning even if it is directed towards a small few. However, this wouldn't be the most intelligent way to distribute the school's financial budget. The kinds of technologies that schools probably will invest in are ones that are not as costly which therefore results in low quality (although this is not always the case). But also based on the reading, the kinds of technology integrated in schools will have to be accepted by most teachers and administrators which then creates difficulty in agreeing on one tool becuase of differences in opinions. The kinds of technologies that I believe would be most easily accepted into school are things that can be considered necessities-overhead projectors, PCs, TVs, recorders, scanners-other types of equipment that is practically seen in lots of classes now. However these necessary tools are not exactly the ones that would promote to push a student's thinking or a teacher's learning. I don't think that what we find necessary in class is exactly parallel to what we could use to help promote better curriculum or student learning. Integration of certian computer programs in math classes or science classes can give students an alternative to a way of learning through interactive play and without the health risks or mess (primarily in science classes). I believe that students should be given the opportunity to explore and find the best way they can learn and therefore create their own success.
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