I must say that this school year has brought it's own unique set of challenges. Last year, my classroom was not my own. I shared it with the graphic arts teacher, therefore I could not arrange things as needed for my program. This year, I was able to "take over" the room and now I have it solely for my program. I was able to use the tips given to us at NTI to arrange the classroom for optimum instruction within my program. It has been great to use all of my resources this year with instruction.
However, since enrolling in the NTI, I have learned many different strategies and methods of instruction which I am excited to employ into my class lessons. Using these methods and strategies has been a challenge because I can have up to four, yes that's right, four different courses within a single class period. Therefore, the challenge has been using the "transfer in, set induction...etc." when I have four different curriculums going at once. Last year, each student received a project module which matched their curriculum. The students would have to work on their own to master the content while I floated around the room to tie up the loose ends for each student individually. Last year seemed to be more organized than this year.
I find it very hard to actually "teach" (lecture, demonstration, etc) when I am only speaking to maybe half of the class at a time. This leaves the other half of the room to "work", but they find themselves doing other things while unsupervised. The solution for this problem would be to only have one course per class period, but my administrator believes (and I agree) that my numbers would go way down and the program would not be as popular.
This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
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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?
5 comments:
I have the same problem but its just that my lab can't accomadate the entire class so I have a split class because of that. All of my students in my class are on the same level. So I am looking for any suggestion you think would help me with this problem. I was leaning more towards getting someone else in the room with me to help monitor the group of students that may not be in the lab on that day so that I can give my full attention to the students in the lab. My greatest fear now is that between me going back and forth someone may get cut or burned in the kitchen. On the other hand you may have students that slip in and out of the room without you knowing. I have looked at so many ways to reslove this problem. Hopefully I find a solution soon.
As teachers we are sometimes expected to do so much. Each of us have our specialty areas and want the students to excel. But in situations like this it limits our instructional time. Which in return takes away from the students.The students must gain so many contact hours in the lab so having to split the class takes a longer time to complete that particular exercise which in return limits the contact hours. I really don't want to short change my students but I have 18 weeks to get through all the information. If the students took one course for the entire year that would be different. that would provide more time so I could take two days to complete a lab.
Not sure if we will ever find a solution to this but if we keep trying I am sure we will find something that works best to get through. I am working really hard to find a solution soon because I am going through industry certification this year.I don't want to rush the information but I must get through the standards. Good luck this year and I hope everything work out for you. Please let me know if you find something that works well for you. Eventhough it two different classes I may be able to implement it in my room.
I have an upper level technology class that is divided into two groups working. One group runs the studio news and the other portion is a group that I have to instruct daily. I feel torn between the two groups, when one group has a problem. Which group do I acomodate and for how long? How can the group that is less attended stay on task? This is my first split class. I am trying several NTI techniques to see if 3rd period will be successful this year. However, I find it easier to keep the classes separated. I was not asked if I wanted a mixed classroom. The second group started appearing the first week of school to make my classroom full. I am doing my best to make it work and trying to remember all the NTI "tricks" to do so.
The one thing that I am utilizing to help me is mature and advanced students as laboratory aids. I am giving them leadership and I am communicating the day's task to them. Gradually, I am worrying less about the upper level group. However, they are students, and on occasion I meet with them during my lunch to stomp out any fires. I find that if I am very specific with the students in leadership and give them specific guidelines to follow (rubrics), they will stay on task. The pre-preparation that I learned at NTI has saved me time and problems in the long run.
I have an upper level technology class that is divided into two groups working. One group runs the studio news and the other portion is a group that I have to instruct daily. I feel torn between the two groups, when one group has a problem. Which group do I acomodate and for how long? How can the group that is less attended stay on task? This is my first split class. I am trying several NTI techniques to see if 3rd period will be successful this year. However, I find it easier to keep the classes separated. I was not asked if I wanted a mixed classroom. The second group started appearing the first week of school to make my classroom full. I am doing my best to make it work and trying to remember all the NTI "tricks" to do so.
The one thing that I am utilizing to help me is mature and advanced students as laboratory aids. I am giving them leadership and I am communicating the day's task to them. Gradually, I am worrying less about the upper level group. However, they are students, and on occasion I meet with them during my lunch to stomp out any fires. I find that if I am very specific with the students in leadership and give them specific guidelines to follow (rubrics), they will stay on task. The pre-preparation that I learned at NTI has saved me time and problems in the long run.
WOW! I can't believe that you have 4 different classes in one. That is crazy. How do you manage that!? I have had some indpendent study students and a class with an advanced / intro mix but it works well...The older students end up finishing their work and help manage the younger kids.
What kind of classes are they?
It looks like your classmates offered some good ideas. We will be having a saturday session on this topic and maybe a combination of this all will help you. Dr. J.
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