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?

Sunday, March 15, 2009

"The most important thing I've learned about my students in the past term/year is . . . "

The most important thing I've learned about my students in the past year is that they need and want to learn. I've noticed a significant increase in the day-to-day attendance in my classes this year versus last year. There are less students skipping my class this year than last year. From what I learned at NTI last summer, coupled with the growth of the students, this year's instruction time has been more productive and pleasant. The discipline issues have been almost non-existent as far as my classroom is concerned. I've noticed that once things are set in place and there is order within the instructional environment the students thrive and look forward to that type of environment being maintained. When they enter the classroom before they say hi, they ask me "Are we building today?" Depending on my answer I either get a pleasing gesture or I get a frown and they ask why. This year I have Incorporated writing across the curriculum on Fridays. The students either summarize a current event associated with construction or they do some type of free form writing that deals with the project that we are working on.

I have learned that the students won't verbally tell you that they enjoy learning or that certain projects are teaching them something new. When I put them on special projects that cause them to take the same consideration into account as if they were working on a class project, I find that they are able to make the connection and recall pertinent information to complete the project. Once they realize that they were able to make those connections and they are praised for it, it then we both realize the value of the learning environment we created.

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