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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?

Thursday, October 22, 2015

"Of everything I did this week in my teaching, what would I do differently if I had the chance to do it again, and why?"

This week I tried to implement a new seating arrangement for two of my classes and the process did not go too well. I allowed students to come in class and sit down before instructing of their new seats. This created a long disruption and attitudes flared at me. The next I do this, I will create the new seating chart and then have it visible to students when they walk into my classroom. I could also instruct them where to go while I am standing at my door when they enter the classroom. It was a train wreck and I screwed up on that one.

3 comments:

toothpik said...

Don't beat yourself up, chances are, attitudes would've flared anyway!! I feel certain there was a reason you implemented a "new" seating arrangement!! You're doing exactly what i've done. Honestly, in situations like this, I remind my students "we do not get to choose who we work with and we do not always get to choose who we sit next to (even at the movie theater). You are doing fine!!

Unknown said...

I once was cussed out over a new seating chart, so I understand where you are coming from. You know, what I have found that works is that you change the seating chart all the time. I switch about every two weeks. That way they understand it's always changing and not because you want to split them up, though you might be doing it just for that reason. They think it's just something that's going to happen and they are ready for it. Now when I don't change it after two weeks they start asking me when it will happen. It's kinda funny to have the resistance at first and now have them almost requesting it.

For the record, my seating charts are typically based on student grades. The way my seats are set up is kind of strange, but I put the lower grades near the front and the better grades toward the back, with a few exceptions.

My process, isn't great, I typically draw it out and then just go row by row through the room telling them where they sit. I think what they want you to do is put it on the board and let the kids figure it out... but you know, when I can't even get them to bring paper and pencil to class some days I worry that putting it on the board will just raise a thousand more questions.

Unknown said...

Wow! That's tough, but I do agree. I think the better plan next time is to have the seats assigned prior to the students entering the room. I would have met them at the door with notecards with numbers on the back. The desk would correspond with the notecards and would have explained what was going on after they were seated. I think it was a bad experience, but experience is the best teacher. I also think your original method could have worked with different students. Chalk it up to a lesson learned and keep it moving.