Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Monday, September 15, 2008

First week blog

One of the things that has worked well for me is the deliberateness of presenting my lessons. Using the skills that I learned, and saw in action this summer, I am trying to make sure students understand instructions and that the lessons have closure. In the past I would give lessons and instruction, but at the end of the unit I felt that there was no cohesiveness, much of the content was scattered. If I felt that way, imagine how my students must have felt. It would be like a taste of knowledge here and there, but when all was said and done, there were still a lot of holes left. Looking back, test scores confirmed this lack of learning, but at the time, I wasn't sure how to fix it. I feel that I am now more successful in tying lessons together for better student understanding of the content. Through lesson planning, presentation, and project exploration the students seem to be doing much better.
Something that is not working for me is trying to get set inductions, objectives, transfer-in / out for 3 different classes each day. In addition to having lessons ready, administrative duties, grading, teaching a new curriculum, etc. I feel overwhelmed some days and become frustrated when I cannot get it all done despite spending 9 hours a day at work. I put a lot of pressure on myself, but I'm not a "wing-it" kind of person, I want to be prepared. I realize that much of this is time management on my part as well as getting the hang of it all. When I do get it all pulled together for a class the students seem to appreciate the fact that the class went well, their interest was peaked, and they know what to expect when they come in the next day. I feel really good about it too. I think this will continue to improve over time and I'll get better and quicker, but for now I am quite BUSY!

2 comments:

Josh Dempsey said...

Teresa,

Glad to hear that you feel so much more complete in your instruction. I do have those days when I can see the "holes" all through my instruction, and then I have those days where it just hits. I really prefer those "hit it" days.

As far as trying to come up with set inductions, etc. I know exactly what you mean. It is so difficult to get everything done... even after spending so much time working at work, I come home and spend another few hours there. It is too much work for the money. There has to be a better way.

Hope the year keeps coming together for you!

Dr. J said...

Your dedication really shows in this post. Give yourself at least another year or two to get it all pulled together. I think (my opinion) it takes at least 3 years. Dr. J.