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...

There was one statement made during one of our classes that has had a profound effect on me and my understanding of my students. It was that students spend 99% of their time trying not to get embarrassed. This opened my eyes to how I deal with situations. Of course I had already learned how to avoid confrontational situations through NTI, but this statement told me the why. Why should I remove the audience during a situation where a student is being unruly. Why should I take them aside to talk to them when they get out of control. Why do I try to give them subtle hints to stop undesirable behaviors. Why do I set a ground work of proceedures for the classroom and lab...etc...etc... It honestly clicked with me that part of the reason all of these things work is that students hate to be embarassed in front of their peers. If you take them aside you are much more likely to get favorable results, and end the situation on a positive note quickly.
To me, this is the most important thing that I have learned about my students this year because it makes me a much more effective teacher. I feel that it makes my class a much better place to be a much safer environment for my students. I love to crack jokes and that includes a little sarcasm and that is what I am working on now. As we were taught in NTI...DON'T use sarcasm. They don't get it like we mean it! I have been working on this since a wise man pointed out that I used it during a lesson! I didn't even realize that I was doing it! OH well, in conclusion this has had the most profound impact on how I view my students.

2 comments:

ITechman said...

You know I have a similar issue when I first started teaching. What I could not understand for the longest time was, how students can throw out so much of something they do not understand, sarcasm. The most logical answer I came up with is they are kids! We simply have to remember that we are adults with a fully developed frontal lobe in our brains and they are not. If you are not paying attention, it is easy for you to get hooked by any of these kids to be sarcastic. But one thing to remember is students have very fragile egos. REALLY!

bernardo said...

Hi Jayna,

I enjoyed reading your post and I can understand some of the frustrations that you are experiencing in the classroom. I can agree with you in avoiding confrontations with students who are constantly trying to show out in front of the class. I have also learned by taking these students outside the classroom and talking to them away from their peers have netted better results. It is important for me to establish a repoire with all my students. I think this will help me identify with each student’s needs.

Bernardo