hit the enter key before i even got started! let's try this again...
So, this semester I have learned that kids talk. A lot. They enjoy interacting and building relationships and having their voice heard. And one thing that I have realized is that kids talk about how your class is. Most of my students enter the class with a certain knowledge of what it will be like, stuff we'll do, etc based on what previous students tell them (the old kids). And, what is neat is that the new kids want to do what the old kids did, but bigger and better. That in turn makes the old kids want to know why they didn't get to do something cool like the new kids! This cycle is great for career tech programs to keep up numbers and keep interest. What I like is that this forces me to keep changing my program ideas up every semester.
As good as it would be to use the same lessons and stay super organized, etc. I think for the students it is vital to change and bring in fresh concepts to teach old lessons. Every year I have each class "Go Big"...my first year it was a working dam, last year a miniature golf course, an indoor race track for model cars, and this year...I turned a concept project over to my advanced class and we are in the process of building catapults!! The plan is to study the history of them then use our curriculum standards to draw out plans, build, and test them using old pumpkins as launch subjects. :) Should be a blast. Anyway - the old kids have heard about it and they want to come back next semester to do something better.
Long story short: Change it up. Don't be afraid to think "outside the box." The box is boring.
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.
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.
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?
1 comment:
Hi, David - insightful observations and thanks for sharing. You'll also find, as you probably already have, that you will attract students who are friends of students that liked you or your class, so if those were your good students and enjoyed being challenged, your future students will likely be that way as well, and will continue to raise the bar and improve your program. Keep mixing it up!
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