Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Middle School
The daily journey of a middle school English Language Arts teacher can often times feel painstakingly lonely. Walking down the empty corridors before sunrise, covered with bags that have become as essential as an arm or leg, recalling a faint familiar story of walking to school three miles up hill barefoot in the freezing snow. However, there is always a glimpse of hope when the first locker is slams, the sound of the first humming bus, and especially the first voices of students who come to see you just because. This is when you quickly become grounded, realizing the journey is well worth the risk.
The flight of this teacher is often rewarded by the success of her students. But, I must honestly attest this success is not solely measured through my own accounts. It is with much self-reflection and support granted through the coaching process. Through this practice, many informal observations are provided, therefore capturing my authentic teaching rather than a single observation. This permits ongoing records of my successes or challenges met through particular lessons or interactions with students, in the end creating genuine conversations and reflections with a coach who is there to assist with enhancing my instruction and professional growth. An additional facet of working closely with a coach is to provide insight on how to approach new teaching ideas. I am fortunate to have a coach who is willing to jump in and take risk to ensure the success of all students. Having this unique interaction with a coach, who is just as eager as I am about teaching, not only makes my job more rewarding but provides my students with one more person wanting them to succeed.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Using Technology in the classroom
Today, educators are competing with many facets of technology. Students are walking into the classroom knowing more about technology than the classroom teacher. The student today is fully equipped with an enormous amount of wisdom and understanding when it comes to technology. With the use of handheld video games, Wiis and Xboxes, and computer skills introduced before entering formal schooling. Thus, thrusting educators now into a technological age, realizing that technology is an adjunct to the common classroom.
One essential component of technology is the use of the internet within the classroom. The teacher inherently has the world at her fingertips. Having the ability to expand on a topic when students are interested beyond what's expected or if she has had trouble thoroughly explaining the topic, it is surprising to be able to complete a Web Search using a laptop connected to a projector. The internet then assists the teacher with additional examples of the discussion at hand. However, before doing so, I would strongly recommend that filters are in place before projecting any Websites. An additional bonus while using the internet is the ability to Google images that may not be available to the teacher. For example, when teaching about different cultures or places around the world it is a neat feature to find images of the people of that culture and places. The internet becomes the virtual research center of the classroom. The internet is also helpful for reteaching and support activities for the teacher. Such as, when teaching parts of speech all she needs to do is type in the search browser, lessons on nouns, and hundreds of lessons provided. As a bonus, some of the lessons are perfect with items as the Mimeo. The internet is becoming an extremely common entity of today’s classroom.
Something I found intriguing is that all technology is not always the best for the classroom. As educators, we become excited over the new technological items added to the class. However, what some soon forget is that the technological skills of the teachers are at times quickly overpowered by the technological gadgets. Teachers then lack the confidence to use the items simply because they do not know how or do not fully understand the benefits of these items. If the teacher is unable to use the technology then the technology becomes useless. Another point of using technology in the classroom is the distractions it may cause. Some students work naturally with technology, the students with a technology background. Then there are other students, like some teachers scared to death of technology, those that are afraid to break it or lose something. As one who speaks from experience, the overwhelming feeling can make the entire technological transition mentally cumbersome. Finally, there is also the student whose only focus will be on what comes next, making use of technology more of a distraction. Educational technology is suitable tuning, the teacher needs to be well educated and comfortable and she must know the appropriate time and a way to use it.
It is crucial that teachers and schools find a solid balance for educational technology. When providing the students a variety of technology it gives all students an equal opportunity to be successful in today academia. Some students may never have the chance to use technology if it were not used in school. Today, some students cannot afford to be left behind in a technological world. As educators, it is crucial to decide what is noteworthy about technology. The exposure to technology is fantastic but what students learned and used is phenomenal.
One essential component of technology is the use of the internet within the classroom. The teacher inherently has the world at her fingertips. Having the ability to expand on a topic when students are interested beyond what's expected or if she has had trouble thoroughly explaining the topic, it is surprising to be able to complete a Web Search using a laptop connected to a projector. The internet then assists the teacher with additional examples of the discussion at hand. However, before doing so, I would strongly recommend that filters are in place before projecting any Websites. An additional bonus while using the internet is the ability to Google images that may not be available to the teacher. For example, when teaching about different cultures or places around the world it is a neat feature to find images of the people of that culture and places. The internet becomes the virtual research center of the classroom. The internet is also helpful for reteaching and support activities for the teacher. Such as, when teaching parts of speech all she needs to do is type in the search browser, lessons on nouns, and hundreds of lessons provided. As a bonus, some of the lessons are perfect with items as the Mimeo. The internet is becoming an extremely common entity of today’s classroom.
Something I found intriguing is that all technology is not always the best for the classroom. As educators, we become excited over the new technological items added to the class. However, what some soon forget is that the technological skills of the teachers are at times quickly overpowered by the technological gadgets. Teachers then lack the confidence to use the items simply because they do not know how or do not fully understand the benefits of these items. If the teacher is unable to use the technology then the technology becomes useless. Another point of using technology in the classroom is the distractions it may cause. Some students work naturally with technology, the students with a technology background. Then there are other students, like some teachers scared to death of technology, those that are afraid to break it or lose something. As one who speaks from experience, the overwhelming feeling can make the entire technological transition mentally cumbersome. Finally, there is also the student whose only focus will be on what comes next, making use of technology more of a distraction. Educational technology is suitable tuning, the teacher needs to be well educated and comfortable and she must know the appropriate time and a way to use it.
It is crucial that teachers and schools find a solid balance for educational technology. When providing the students a variety of technology it gives all students an equal opportunity to be successful in today academia. Some students may never have the chance to use technology if it were not used in school. Today, some students cannot afford to be left behind in a technological world. As educators, it is crucial to decide what is noteworthy about technology. The exposure to technology is fantastic but what students learned and used is phenomenal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)