My teaching experience

I went to Lakeridege middle high school. I helped and observed Mr. Meeks teach. We also go to observe Brian while he was doing his student teaching. I got to see how students worked in the computer lab and how the teacher taught in that environment. I also got to see the teacher teach in a classroom setting, while he taught on safety. He used a smart board which was a traditional yet new way of teaching. I learned that students don't always behave and that they are all different. Some students stay on task while others need help. Overall it was a good experience to see how the class room was managed and how the teacher taught.

Teach something 2

Today I taught our small group of Evan, Emily, Ashley, Jami, and Gregg how to strip a wire properly. I feel like I did a fairly good job. I explained how to do the task, then showed them with a visual aid. I also explained why this was important, and when we would use this task in everyday or professional life. I kept with in the 12 minute time frame which was my biggest concern, especially since everyone in the group went over time. I let each student strip their own wire and checked for understanding. If it had been a real class each student would have their own pair of wire strippers and a piece of wire to practice the new skill. Next class i would test for understanding, and have an activity or race to see who could do it the fastest. This relates to our major because in any job you will be required to do things fast, because time is money. Over all I know I can always improve.

Reflection 2

I’ve learned a lot so far. I especially liked when we learned about the various people. I liked Howard Gardner’s way of teaching. He says that since there are multiple intelligences, there are several different ways to demonstrate intellectual ability. He gave us seven. The first was Visual learning or Spatial learning, since I am a very visual learner I can relate and support this teaching method. The next is Verbal or linguistic, I agree that this is essential to the learning process but it alone wouldn’t help me personally, I would need at least one of the other to go along with it. Next, Logical or mathematical again I struggle in this aspect and would need a supporting process. Bodily or kinesthetic is another one that helps me learn. Musical, inter personal or group activities and then intrapersonal or people who work alone conclude the list. I think that this is a great way to teach. I learned that in a class there will always be at least four represented and that we need to design our lessons accordingly.
We also learned what a good teacher looks like. I feel that this is valuable knowledge, considering my goal is to become a good teacher. A good teacher knows the content, you can’t teach something you don’t know. He is objective based, without objectives there wouldn’t be any order. He expects more. If we don’t have something to reach for we never grow. He needs to present an engaging environment. Students need to feel comfortable in the classroom environment. He must have a high trust in the students. He also needs to use assessment and evaluation which means testing. Lessons also need to be question based.
There is a lot more that I’ve learned but this is what has impacted me the most so far.

Teach Something 1

For my first teaching opportunity, I taught how to tie a figure eight follow through climbing knot. I thought I prepared well. First I bought some cord, which is basically very skinny rope and cut it into foot long pieces so everyone in the class could all have a piece and be able to practice the knot, while I taught it to the class. I had media support in the form of a website which showed us step by step instructions on how to tie the knot. I then gave a live demonstration in front of the class. I had the students that understood the knot help the students that didn't get it the first time, and by doing this both students gained a better understanding of the knot. I could have walked around the class and helped individuals as well, if I had the time to do so. I assigned homework, to practice the knot and told them that I would check next time to see if they got it. I let the students keep the rope, which would help them remember the knot and be able to practice it in the future. I think that overall my first teaching experience went well, and that the students understood the concept. I could have maybe shown the application of the knot a little better, but time constraints restricted my lesson plan.

Reflection 1

The definition of “learn” is the acquisition of knowledge of a skill by study, instruction or experience. It is gaining wisdom and values. The definition of “teach” is to impart knowledge of a skill, or give instruction to. I believe that both the teacher and the student should benefit in the learning process. The teacher needs to be prepared and knowledgeable about the subject being taught. But to merely know the material being presented doesn’t make one a good teacher. A teacher must know how to convene his/her knowledge of the subject to the student well enough that, that student could in turn be a teacher of that subject. They should also be able to give the students a way to acquire the knowledge on their own. Students should be presented the problem, shown how to solve that problem and then left on their own to figure out the whole solution to the problem. They need to discover, create, and construct the solution. If we as teachers, who obviously know the answer to the problem, simply give them answers, there is no learning present. I believe that kids can figure it out, it may take some longer than others and they will have to struggle but only by doing can they learn. We need to be an example and a model to the students. They will do and copy us in our manors, speech and actions. After the students succeed in finding the solution or answer a question correctly we should praise them. We need to support them and be there when they need help. We learned about the PRODUCT, EFFORT, and GROWTH relationship that exists between a student and a teacher. The more effort and growth results in a better product and it’s our goal to produce a good product. If we both put in the effort towards the learning experience we will both learn and grow. We need to be proficient and effective to do this. We must be organized. Also as a teacher we need to find out about the students. As teachers we are to impact the lives of our students.