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, November 1, 2009

"To Be or Not To Be"

This was an OK week for me. I am just now learning how to relax or "chillax" (chill and relax) as my baby tells me. I am beginning to realize what is important and what is not important. I am now incorporating into my lesson plans to allow my instruction to be student centered rather than teacher centered. Rather than me standing at the front of the classroom and lecturing for 20 minutes, I allow the students to get into groups and plan the lesson that they as a group will teach or present. They of course don't like it because they have to do more work and have to actually read the chapter, which they have not done in the past. I decided to switch to this format so that they could be more involved in their learning. I also allow them to use whatever teaching aids necessary. I incorporate "hands on" in this as well. Some reasons that I include this in the lesson plan is to help them develop leadership skills, team-work, creativity, assertiveness and critical thinking skills. This is my approach from now until the end of the semester.

One frustrating thing that happened this week is that I caught a student cheating on a test. In the past, I have had a very watchful eye. I guess that I need to step up my game. After I caught the students, they of course denied it. I offered the student the opportunity to "prove me wrong" by taking the test again. Needless to say, she did not. Situations like this cause me to question my reasons for choosing education. I have to keep in mind the adolescent lesson that we had this summer. I also have to keep in mind the students who really appreciate me and come to greet me or tell me thank you.

1 comment:

Suzette said...

Hi Penelope,
I smile as I read your post. Specifically because I caught a student cheating myself on Friday. The second HSTE instructor was out on Friday and as fate would have it, I had 7 class periods back to back. My day consisted of 3 class periods with greater than 50 students and the other 4 with the standard 28. One of the students from my co-workers class actually tipped me off that a student was cheating. I survey the room really well but with that number of students anything could happen. The best part about my day was that the Culinary Science instructor had one of the students to bring me a cup of Taco Soup--was like caviar to my palate. Keep smiling, you are doing a great job!