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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 14, 2010

Ruts are easier to follow

I feel it is so easy for teachers to "get in a rut" rather than using variety because creativity can be draining. It's easier to fall back into what you've done before instead of doing something new. Attempting to make a dull lesson like plain old "facts and figures" exciting takes a lot out of me; at least, when I trying to keep my head above water. When I try new things as I learn them and they flop sometimes I'm so tempted to just go back to the assignment sheets I used last year...that rut keeps trying to draw me back in; because, it is easier to do things the same way. You don't have to think about it. NTI has helped me with the concept of having the students engaged in their learning and when I've had those golden moments of success, I feel rewarded so I keep trying.

During the last several weeks,I've incorporated more Internet activities into my class. In addition, I've used student presentations, poster boards as well as PowerPoint. I've also used a few new skills with my active board by allowing the students to complete their math equations on the board directly on the PowerPoint. I've also introduced the dice as a future activity to select groups. My first attempt didn't work as well as I thought it would, so I will re-think the use of the dice. I want to use them because the students thought they were "cool". Finally I changed the direction of the student desks, it may seem strange; but it helps when I need to change the flavor of the class. I use it when I'm changing an activity or introducing something new. The students seem to accept changes better.

2 comments:

Dr. M said...

Hi, Leola - creativity can be draining! I've not heard it put that way but you are so right, and also on target about why too many teachers do not mix things up as you are doing. I'm impressed with all the strategies and varieties you try on your students, and your live and let learn attitude is great. Your students are the great beneficiaries of your rut-less approach - keep it up!

Angie said...

I agree. Being creative does require a lot of work. It takes quite a bit of effort to make lessons interactive. It’s a great feeling to know when you’ve gotten through to a student by using you diversified lesson plans. It’s really worth it in the end. Teachers tend to teach in repetitive pattern. Like you said, it’s important to incorporate PowerPoint, poster boards, and Internet activities to keep the students attention.