Respond to the following questions:
1. What ideas in the chapter will be most useful or valuable to you in a future teaching situation?
2. How has the content of this chapter changed your view of teaching and learning?
3. How might you design your classroom using the ideas in this chapter?
4. Do you believe that teachers make a difference? What examples from your own education might support that view?
1. The ideas in this chapter that will be most useful and valuable to me in the future classroom is the part about the fears of beginning teachers and what makes up a good teacher. It is comforting to know that I am not the only one who has those fears and anticipations about going into a classroom for the first time and being in complete control. The advices that they gave about a good teacher being flexible and creative also gave me areas in which I can work on improving now so that when I enter the classroom I will be prepared as much as possible in those areas.
ReplyDelete2. This chapter has changed my view of teaching because it shows there are some things that just have to be proved or studied to show accurate results. Certain ways or techniques of teaching that we have just always assumed to be the most effective, are actually not the best ways we can be teaching and benefiting our students.
3. Based on this chapter, I might design my classroom in a way that is open to catering to the different needs and diversity presented by my students. I can maybe do something so simple as put up a poster or maybe have a critical thinking conversation with my students about the diversity in our classroom, and the world, and what we can learn from that and each other.
4. I definitely believe that teachers make a difference. I was pushed in high school to go beyond what I thought I was capable of and that influenced me to always strive for going above and beyond. My good teachers in school left me with a positive school experience and memory that I hope to pass on to others by being an equally good teacher.
1. The first idea that will be very useful to me is the idea of the student-teacher relationship. It is imperative to know what kind of relationship is appropriate for certain age groups and be able to recognize the fine line between being an educator and a friend to the students. Next, the idea of the cost of poor teaching is very valuable. It is very important that we as teachers realize that if we aren't teaching to our full potential and the best we can, we are costing everyone involved money, including ourselves. The idea that focusing on the student and not how your teaching is also very useful. It is ultimately the student, not us, who need the education and help for their future life ahead.
ReplyDelete2. I think this chapter brings light to the fact that teaching is a challenge. It has made me feel like teaching is truly what I have been called to. It is an always growing profession that we have to continue to learn in. This chapter has led me to believe I am meant to teach and take on the challenges every day to change lives and provide life tools to my students.
3. I would design my classroom not only in a student-friendly way, but in a way that would be a challenge every day for every student. It would be a classroom that allowed for open discussion, a positive environment, and a caring environment. I think it would be beneficial to allow the kids to make decisions based on what they believe and then discuss why they made that choice and how it could be better. I would take on the diversity of the classroom as a learning opportunity not only for the students but for myself. We could all learn from each other and about each other since the backgrounds and lives we come from are so different in many ways.
4. It is very obvious to me that teachers make a huge difference. I have had experiences good and bad with teachers througout my life. You remember both the good and bad and respond differently to each. The good teachers I have had have made learning fun, challenged me, helped me whenever I neeeded it, and made me want to be in school and keep furthering my education. Teachers help mold lives and pave the way for sucessful futures.
1. The ideas in this chapter that will be most useful or valuable to me in a future teaching situation are that beginning teachers need to keep in mind the diversity of today’s students. Students come from different backgrounds and diverse family structures. Some come from poverty or are challenged with various disabilities. All of this diversity creates a large challenge for teachers to address the individual needs of each student. Also, I need to refer to the theories and research in educational psychology that will help improve teaching and learning processes.
ReplyDelete2. The content of this chapter has changed my view of teaching and learning due to the fact that today’s teachers are faced with high expectations. The No Child Left Behind act which was signed into law in 2002 requires schools to show adequate yearly progress for all students to become proficient in reading, math, and science by the school year 2013-2014. Is this a realistic goal, or does the Government need to rethink its education policy? I can understand how this requirement is pushing schools to improve their educational systems, and that is a good thing. But with all of the recent financial cutbacks to schools, will schools be able to incorporate all the needed programs and professional development opportunities that teachers need to help students meet AYP?
3. As a future teacher, I will use the theories and ideas of educational psychology to create a classroom based on solid teaching and learning practices. The NCLB law was discussed in this chapter, and it made me realize that I need to design lessons that will help my future students meet AYP in the year 2013-2014 which will most likely be my first year as a teacher. The content of this chapter has reinforced my decision to become a high school math teacher. Yes, there are many challenges ahead, but when true learning takes place it is worth all the effort.
4. I truly do believe that teachers make a difference. A good teacher must be knowledgeable and inventive, be able to use a range of teaching strategies or create new ones, have research-based classroom management skills, know research on student development, and know their own students. One must keep all this in perspective while developing into the experienced teacher. My teachers in public school and in my college career made me realize that a great teacher is always remembered and admired by their students. My math teachers in particular inspired me to want to share my abilities in math with others.
1. The first idea in this chapter that will be most useful and valuable to me in the future is the part where it talks about how beginning teachers have many concerns, and most of them go through something called "reality shock". It showed me that it is ok to worry, but to not let the worry get the best of you to the point where you are not doing your job right, which is teaching the children. The second idea in this chapter that will be most useful and valuable to me in the future is the part where it talks about diversity in the classroom. I went to a very diverse school, and I saw how difficult it could be sometimes. I will take the examples I read about in the book, and the experiences from my life to better prepare myself for the future, because every student deserves equal treatment and love.
ReplyDelete2. After reading this chapter it has brought to my attention that there is alot of work when it comes to teaching. Some work can be fun and some of the work can be very challengingh. It all boils down to how determined the teacher is and how passionate he is. This chapter has brought these questions to my mind. I am very passionate about teaching my future students and impacting their lives.
3. I would design my classroom in a very diverse way to where it fits every student's race or ethnicity. I would put up encouraging posters so that my kids would know not to quit when things got tough. I would also decorate my classroom in a way that it can be academically challenging as well. My goal is to have my kids comfortable, and both academically and emotionally prepared when they enter my classroom.
4. I strongly believe that teachers make a difference in a students life. Whether it be a good differnce or a bad difference, they make a difference nonetheless. Students look up to their teachers, and they are always watching to see what the teacher is going to do. Teachers are the people who are with these students at least eight hours out of the day for at least nine months. So , yes i strongly believe that teachers make a big difference. Alot of the teachers I had made a difference in my life. They taught me to never give up, always do whats right, and how to become my own person. I hope to become a teacher like this one day in the future.
1. This chapter addresses many concerns that beginning teachers might have. As a student looking to become a teacher, I will inevitably be a “beginner” teacher. Concerns addressed like the “reality shock” and dealing with classroom management are a couple that are common and will eventually be mastered with experience. One of the things I found valuable from the chapter was this quote: “The difference between a beginning teacher and an experienced one is that the beginning teacher asks, ‘How am I doing?’ and the experienced teacher asks, ‘How are the children doing?’” I found that when I become a teacher, one of the most important things is focusing on your students and reflecting to see how to improve.
ReplyDelete2. The content of this chapter has showed me that becoming an excellent teacher takes time. It is difficult, but with experience and hard work, teaching will shift to less focus on me and more on the student. The content of this chapter taught me how learning is different for everybody. Because of the diversity in the classroom, it is essential for a teacher to research. Teachers can reference outside research that has been conducted or than can observe their own students and adhere to the discovered needs.
3. Based on the ideas of this chapter, my classroom would need to be designed in a way that is not too complicated. I would have it set up so the students’ desks are focused on the board or wherever I would instruct. I would also have many different areas where students could go for special privileges or other places to do assignments. I would design it so the students do not feel trapped. I want them to enjoy learning, and I want them to learn in the best way they can. Due to the diversity that is present in every classroom, I would also let that influence my design. I would also be flexible and willing to change my design as I find new things from research that could help my students.
4. Teachers undoubtedly make a difference. Whether that difference is positive or negative depends on the teacher. In my experience as a student, I have had teachers that made me excited for school. I learned a lot from them, and I became a better student because of them. On the other hand, I have had teachers that allowed me to digress as a student and not reach my full potential. The teachers that made a negative difference in my life made it more obvious for the good teachers’ influence to be seen. If it were not for some of my challenging but positive teachers, I would not have reached the status I have today in my education. I hope to be an influential, positive, difference-maker as a teacher.
1. In future teaching situations it will be valuable to remember that with time the classroom becomes more and more diverse. In other words it will be valuable to know that when I will begin teaching the classroom will be more diverse than it was when I was a student, and by the end of my teaching career there will be even greater diversity. It will be important to know this because I think teachers often get into the habit of teaching and do not change their styles to accommodate new diversities in the classroom. Also, the part about the common sense answers versus research based answers will be valuable to me in the future. It goes to show that what we think we know is not always what we actually know. For example, the book talks about how common sense says that a teacher should help low-achieving students often but research says this is not the best idea. Research shows that students helped before they ask for it often feel like they cannot succeed and those around them often pick this idea up as well.
ReplyDelete2. This content has changed my view of teaching and learning though showing that teaching is always changing. The chapter talks about learning through research. There are more and more ideas supported by research discovered daily. It is important for even the good old teachers to brush up on the newest ideas and research. It can go back to the diversity topic as well, with a more diverse student population, there should be different ways of teaching than there were years ago when the students were less diverse.
3. Using the ideas in this chapter, I will design my classroom in a way that students can feel comfortable but at the same time it is an environment where learning thrives. It is important for students to have experience with the diversities of the classroom, so I would arrange students in a way that allows them to learn about people that are different than themselves. I will arrange the room in a way that will encourage students. if they know they can go to a special part of the room to read or play educational games after they complete their work it will motivate them to keep working: pictures and posters on the walls can do the same. I would want my students to feel like the classroom is a second home. In addition, I will use very few things like this because at the same time I do not want this to distract them from their work. I will continue to follow research to find out what works best for students so that I know what I am doing is helping them and not hindering their education. Also, each class is different so, I would adjust my ideas according to the specific class.
4. Teachers do make a huge difference. Honestly, if teachers did not make a difference, I would not be in college and would not be majoring in elementary education. I had many teachers that made a difference in my life. I struggled throughout school. I remember in second grade when I began going to the resource room. From the first day in the resource room I felt welcomed and like I could achieve better than ever. Before then, I did not believe this and I think I was beginning to hate school. Three wonderful resource teachers later, I met Mrs. Brown. She was an extremely encouraging teacher and it was at this time when I needed it most. Without her, I do not think I would have been able to go back to the regular classroom for all of my classes. She knew just what do say when I was struggling. In high school, I had a lot of teachers that were willing to do whatever they had to for their students. I remember going into class early and staying late, they were always there. They did not have to be. They could have closed their doors and shut students out but instead they left them open and gladly gave me the extra help I needed. I remember on many occasions going to finish tests after school. Even on the day before break began a few teachers were willing to stay after and wait for me to finish. It was amazing.
1. The ideas in this chapter will be most useful or valuable to me in the future is knowing what today's classrooms are like and what is to be expected when I walk into my first classroom as a teacher. Also from this chapter, the expectations that they have for good teachers will be helpful to me as being a first time teacher and also knowing what concerns I might have entering the field of elementary educaion.
ReplyDelete2.The content of this chapter has changed my view on teaching and learning that teachers have a lot of responsibility for children to learn and it is as almost if teachers do not have enough hours in the day and teachers will be held accountable for their students. So something that really changed my view is that teacher's really have to research and find the best proven ways on how to get information across to their students.
3. Using the ideas in this chapter, I would design my classroom to get the best results from students. I would create stations that would challenge students to do their best work and for them to improve their skills. I would also try to incorporate the diversity of the students in the classroom, because students can learn from that too. Overall, I would try to have a learning environment that would encourage students to do their best with every given opportunity.
4. I believe that teachers do make a difference in the classroom. Teachers inspire us to learn and reach our full potential. But teachers can also influence us in a bad way and cause a loss for love of learning. From my own experience,I once had a teacher that made science fun. Before that teacher, I had absolutely disliked science. To this day, I am not a real big science fan, but that one particular teacher made a difference and made me put forth my best effort. In conclusion, teachers make a world of difference.
1. The ideas in the chapter that I think will be most valuable to me are the idea of the teacher-student relationship, and the idea of the ‘reality shock’ that is faced by many teachers. By establishing a teacher-student relationship I think that this helps the teacher reach the student and help the student relax whilst they are in the classroom. By being a ‘friend’ to the student I feel that it helps the student be more involved in the class and more likely to comment on things that are being taught, or give them the confidence to ask questions about things that they may not understand. The second idea that I think will be valuable to me in a future teaching situation is the idea of the ‘reality shock’ that faces many new teachers. I think that the knowing that many new teachers experience this will help me prepare and plan for this experience and to know how to react when it happens. I think that the best way to overcome this feeling would be to plan ahead and be prepared, so that if you feel stuck when teaching, you will be able to refer to something so that the whole flow of the classroom is lost.
ReplyDelete2. The content of this chapter has changed my view of teaching to see that it is ok for the teacher to have a friendly relationship between them and the student, because it not only benefits and helps the student, but it also helps the teacher to relax knowing that the students do not see you as this person who is only there to teach and then doesn't care about if the students learn what is being taught. It has also shown me that I need to start looking at and thinking about the teaching styles of the teachers that I have so that I can start thinking about what kind of style that I would want to implement in my classroom.
3. The way that I think I would design my classroom is in a way that would be best for the students. I would want it to provide them with an environment in which they would be able to effectively learn but also feel comfortable in the classroom so that they have the best opportunity to learn. I also think that I would want my classroom to have a friendly feel so that it would encourage students to learn and continue their learning once they leave the classroom. I wouldn't want my classroom to be busy, but I also wouldn't want it to be mundane, I would like it to have a diverse feel to it, knowing that everybody is different and to encourage them to accept this diversity in their life outside of the classroom.
4. Personally I believe that teachers can make a huge difference in the lives of students. Teachers need to remember that students do see them as role models and often look up to a teacher and see them as someone who is successful and a person that they may want to emulate them in their life. An example of this from my own education is a PE teacher that I had from age 13-16, he was a very friendly and approachable person and would be more than happy to answer any questions that anybody had. He was also the schools soccer coach, so I also saw him in an environment where he was faced with a short period of increased pressure and expectation from players, students and players alike because they all wanted to see positive results from the team. Even with being faced with all of that pressure, and teaching a large number of classes, he was still able to be friendly with every student that approached him. He really is the person who inspired me to come into teaching.
1. This chapter addresses many of things a new teacher is to expect when beginning the school year. One of the major points in this chapter, are the concerns of new teachers. These are commonly felt among all beginning educators and the information provided in this chapter allows me to at least have a better expectation of what is to come. This chapter makes the standard for a good teacher clear, which gives me, a bottom line goal to achieve by the time I begin to teach. Another awareness this chapter brings, are governmental changes that may occur during the course of my career and that I will have to adjust accordingly (example "No Child Left Behind")
ReplyDelete2. This chapter made me more aware of the importance and depth of the teaching profession. When it listed the many concerns, I found myself thinking about each of them, and how I would overcome it. A lot goes into education, and teachers are a major part of the effort. The complexities of education are evident when looking at all of the studies that are conducted each year, and the variety of them. Educational Psychology adds another depth to education as the teaching and learning process is further examined in hopes of achieving a higher standard of education.
3. My design for my classroom would be catered to the needs of the group of students. I would embrace their different backgrounds, personalities and learning styles and would try to build upon their strengths. As students, all a part of one classroom, I would want to aid in building strong relationships between the students, and allow them to embrace each other's differences and grow with that.
4. Teacher's make an incredible difference in a person's life. Everyone can name a teacher that affected their life, whether it was positive or negative. Teachers can change a student's confidence, and can inspire them to achieve their goals in the future. I had many teachers who inspired me and motivated me to continue to achieve academically, and they instilled me with motives and a mind-set to try my best in school that has remained with me. A student sees a teacher thirty to forty hours a week for about twelve years of their life-teachers are given the perfect platform to greatly affect a child's life and equip them with an attitude and desire to go forward in life.
1. I think one of the most important parts of this chapter is that the classroom will be diverse. As a future teacher, I need to know how to be able to reach all across the board and teach all students, even though they all won't learn the same. One of the things I found important that could help this was about how to use research in the classroom. This could help me to learn different ways to teach the students.
ReplyDelete2.This chapter changed how I looked at how I see to teach. Before starting this class, I never would have thought of using research to help alter how we teach to improve it. I also think this helped me see that my first year will not be all that easy.
3. I would definitely use research to help me teach different ways. I believe that even using someone else's research could help me out. I could also do research of my own to help out.
4. Teachers are one of the most important roles on a child's life. They will look back years later and remember the teachers that they had, both good and bad. I think being able to learn different ways of how to teach and use resources will help me become a good teacher and impact children's lives.
1. I think knowing how to deal with the student-teacher relationship will be very important. This can help both the teacher and the student. The teacher can understand how to teach to his/her students, and students will feel more connected to the class.
ReplyDelete2. Diversity was a big eye opener in how to teach. It taught me that I will have to work with different students, differently. Also taught me that I will have to react to how students treat other students.
3. I would do research to see how other successful teachers designed their room. The biggest thing think that I think will help is having all the students face where I will be teaching from. This will make the students face where I will be teaching, and hopefully in return, learning the material being teacher.
4. Teachers make a huge impact on students' lives. Kids are with teachers for most of their early life. Whether or not the teacher tries, they have an impact on a kids life. There is some advice that teachers gave me that stick to me til this day. Christian teachers also help Christian students if they need help.
One part of this chapter that was exceptionally relevant to me was the use of Educational Psychology to make decisions in the classroom. One can easily make decisions based upon common sense, however it is best to consider the research when consider a commonsense solution to a problem. One example from the book deals with help offered to struggling students. The commonsense answer is that a teacher should often offer help to that struggling student. However, research shows that students who receive help often are more likely to be seen as failures by fellow classmates. Also, the student receiving help will begin to see attribute failure with a lack of ability and lose motivation. My only question for this: what is a better option in this situation? I do not believe the instructor should pay as similar amount of attention to this student as students not struggling. If this were the case, the student would continue to struggle. I would like some alternative solutions to be provided that research supports. I am certain that as I progress towards teaching I will gain more understanding of research supported solutions to problems within the classroom.
ReplyDeleteAnother aspect of the chapter that influenced me was the reinforcement of flexibility and creativity within the classroom that a teacher needs to possess to be effective. I believe this to be vitally important for the art environment. Without flexibility a teacher will teach being teacher-centered instead of student-centered.
2. Again, I was greatly impacted by the section of the chapter that focused on assessing and addressing classroom issues with research backed solutions instead of commonsense solutions. As I stated earlier, I was surprised by the fact that struggling students should not necessarily receive more help in the classroom.
3. After reading this chapter, I most definitely will design my classroom setting to be student-centered as opposed to teacher-centered. In the past teachers have molded their classroom environment around their sole style of teaching. Obviously, flexibility and creativity are vitally important within a classroom. A teacher who is student-centered embodies these attributes. Student-centeredness essentially looks like a classroom atmosphere that is focused on changing with the needs and learning styles of the students within the class. As a teacher it is important to recognize these different learning styles and make changes to the style of teaching accordingly.
4. I most definitely believe that teachers make a difference. A teacher can positively impact a student if the teacher aids the students’ ability to learn and creates a healthy environment for education. Conversely, a teacher can adversely affect a student if he intentionally or unintentionally creates an environment that is harsh or negatively affects the students’ ability to learn. Throughout my schooling, I have encountered many teachers that have had a direct positive impact upon me and this was not done by simple being an “easy” teacher. The prime example from my schooling is my 8th grade teacher. He provided a friendly and loving environment in which I was challenged and pushed. Students in his class considered him tough, but also knew he was there for their own benefit. It is true that at times we dreaded the difficulty of a class, but looking back I am thankful for how much he pushed me to in every subject he taught.