The most important thing I've learned about myself as a teacher in the past term/year is . . . I must keep up with my student's progress DAILY.
It seems that I've fallen into a valley these last few weeks. My dream for each student is that they can catch a glimpse of what it is like in a real-world office environment. I try to give freedoms and try to stay out of their hair and let them work individually. They approach me for questions. I don't stand over them and watch them work (who would enjoy that?) I've noticed these last two weeks, the students are not accomplishing their work like they once did. Perhaps it is the desire for spring break? I'm not sure. All I know is, the pace and flow of my class has grinded to a halt. The number of incompletes in the gradebook is ridiculous!
So what can I do? I'm learning that during the middle of a week-long project, I need to get in there and nudge them into working harder; all of them, even the students who are on task. There is always room for improvement. My lack of drive lately is most likely the reason we are all settling for average, mediocre projects.
It is my responsibility to set the standard for the class. When I'm excited and driven, so are the students. And when I am not excited and driven, we end up where we are now. BEHAVIOR BREEDS BEHAVIOR...
This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
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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?
3 comments:
This comment was very interesting as I have noticed this same behavior in some of my students. I don't see the same level of committment as before. I too wonder if its related to spring break or senioritis as they call it sometimes. The nudging is important and helpful I do believe, however, I know how frustrating it is for me and for you. Hang in there, we are close to the finish line.
Grummer, I running into the same thing. I, like you, give my students space to work and learn. I am there for questions and issues but I still want them to solve it and complete there project. Having us excited about their project is a plus. I have found even if I act overly excited it tends to pump them up and they work without me hovering over them.
Delores is right spring fever and senioritis is kicking in for them and for us. This is when I let them think they get to choose their project without them knowing its my idea...that may not be clear but I give them options for their final performance project and if they select it they tend to take more ownership in it.
Abolutely. I have seen the same thing. We have been working on the AIA competition and I feel like we have not produced the same work effort as usual. I don't want to "babysit" each student but it seems like daily progress is what is needed. I check them at the end of the week with what their goals were - but they hardly get finished. I think I am going to try and install some lab managers next year. Getting burned out on a project can also affect this attitude too...and spring break. I think my kids have talked more about cancun or "pc" or destin these last few weeks than any architecture talk all semester. crazy. hang in there grummer. YOU CAN DO IT!
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