Hi everyone!
I have re-emerged into the blogging world again. YAY!!! Some of you may remember following my other blog a few years ago, which contained many high school stories and creative writing pieces from one of my english classes. Well, I'm back on blogger and am hoping to offer tips to those of you who are educators in the public or private sector schools or even those of you who homeschool.
An Introduction...
My name is Chris and I attend Redeemer University College. I'm currently in my fourth year and will be finishing up my undergrad this coming April with a Major in English and Minors in History and Psychology. Along with this BA I'm also in the Primary/Junior Education department and hope to graduate in May of 2014. I live just outside of Cambridge, Ontario and have lived in this area my entire life. During the summer months I enjoy working outside, where I have a small gardening business and work at a berry farm.
A few months ago I was taught about the concept of differentiated learning. This is a mode of teaching which recognizes that all students learn differently. The teacher is aware of this and comes up with different learning strategies for the students so that they are best able to learn the given material. As an aspiring teacher I want to meet the student where they are at and work with their gifts, abilities, strengths and weaknesses. In one of my classes last semester, my professor continually reiterated the concept that we, as teachers, are servants to our students. I think that this model of teaching is putting the students first and meeting them where they are at, so as to give them the best education possible.
I also really like the theory of experiential learning. This is more of a "hands on" approach to learning which is great because it allows the child to truly experience what they are learning physically instead of only mentally. For example, it is wonderful if the child learns about the different layers of soil, but until they actually interact with the physical aspects of soil it may not really mean anything to them.
So, Why Am I Starting a Blog Now??
I am taking a "Computers in the Classroom" course, which is great, because I think it is so important to get to know how to use the various forms of technology in the classroom. I think it is important to find the proper balance between using it too little (if at all) and using it way too much. With the great tips that I will be learning in this course I hope to implement technology into my future classrooms so that it enhances the curriculum and therefore benefits student learning in a positive and meaningful way.
There are many benefits of having technology in the classroom. Cindy Matthew's believes that technology in the classroom is a must. It really helps the students engage with the material at hand in a new and meaningful way instead of using the same old pen and paper. Aside from the fact that children love technology and love to interact with it, using the various forms of technology in the classroom helps the student to become more comfortable with it. It also helps them gain a sense of independence and may even direct them towards self-directed learning. (Click here if you would like some more information from her article.) I think something really important to remember is that technology is a tool that has been given to us for teaching. If we are going to use it, we should use it right.
Hey Chris,
ReplyDeleteYou have brought up a lot of good points in this post. There are numerous resources and tools online that our students can use in order to allow them to further their learning independently. If we guide them to find useful educational resources, we will provide our students with tools that will help them throughout their entire educational journey.
I also agree that we need to be careful to use technology as a tool and not rely on it for everything. There is a right way and a wrong way to infusing technology in education. Too many teachers are overwhelmed because they are given a device or are told they will be getting one and think that everything they do must now revolve around this device. We need to be careful to use technology to enhance student learning and not distract them from it.
Experiential education really is quite amazing. It does take a dedicated educator to be able to stay on top of how our students best learn. Assessment becomes so important as we converse with and observe our students.
ReplyDeleteThe SNOW website that you provided is a great resource for many reasons but I have used it in the past for accessibility and technology. Technology is often a great motivator and educators need to also find that balance between using tech and not using tech.
Thanks for the resource!
Hi Chris! Welcome back to the blogging world!
ReplyDeleteGreat entry! There are many good points that you brought up and as future teachers, we should be aware of these points.
I like how you brought up the point that letting students use technology in the classroom lets them can give them a sense of independence which I think sometimes gets overlooked. I also like and agree with your point on when we are using technology in the classroom, we need to use it effectively or else there probably isn't much purpose in using it.
Dear Chris :)
ReplyDeleteI think it is super refreshing the way you said that we as teachers, are servants to our students! So often, teachers have the idea that they are the teachers of the classroom, but really, I believe that we can learn so much from our students! I love the way that through the things you value as an educator, such as differentiated learning and experiential learning, you demonstrate the importance of loving, valuing, and encouraging each individual student in their own talents and abilities. Thanks for your insightful words :)
-Rebecca
Hey Chris!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rebecca! Your comment that teachers are servants to their students is a great way at looking at things. It is the students that make the classroom, I think that teachers have so much to learn from their students and their input is vital to successful teaching. I believe that a teachers role is to direct students and give them guidance while allowing them to learn the things they want to know discover.
Great first post! :)
Hey Chris,
ReplyDeleteI agree on the grounds of technology being a way of bringing students to a point of confident self-directed learning. I think one of the biggest things that we, as teachers, need to bring up in the classroom is the responsible and proper use of technology. I remember getting into a conversation with someone about how there is potential for students to develop a sense of misguided trust of what is read on the internet. I think we discussed that briefly in class too. Either way, it's important for students to be instructed in being responsible and cautious with their use of the internet and other technological tools.
_Brent