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?

Monday, September 16, 2013

Don't under estimate the heart and the will of a teenager!!!

Just when you think students won't grasp a concept or a process that you have taught, they go above and beyond what you ask for. This week, I learned that you can't under estimate the heart of a teenager, because they will surprise you every time. This week my students are filming their first major film project. One thing that I was worried about was the fact that I gave my students a lot of information in terms of the planning process and the actual filming of the project. The planning process took about two weeks and as I observed one of my classes I said to myself, "This class probably won't do as well as my other classes." Much to my surprise they did better than any of my classes by far. One of the groups in my class asked if they could film in the class with a teacher that had a planning period. When the student first asked me that question, I wanted to say no but I said to myself, "Well if they want to try it fine, but this will be a learning experience for them." After about 20 minutes of walking around the school monitoring the other groups projects, I went to the classroom with the other group, much to my surprise the teacher in the classroom said to me, "Wow this is an amazing class, they came in here, they looked and acted so professional, they knew exactly what they wanted to do, and the director took charge of the group and everyone was cooperating with each other, they looked so professional." I wanted to say, "Is this the same group but is in my class?????" However as I observed them I couldn't believe how good they were in terms of putting together their project. One of the students from the group told me that this was one of the best classes she has been a part of because she was really shy and this class allowed her to come out of my her shell. Another student told me that he appreciated the long process because now he appreciate that it takes time to produce something good. That really made me feel good because that's one thing I'm passionate about, teaching my students that you have to be able to embrace the process of whatever you are working on. It definitely taught me that you can't under estimate the heart and the will of a teenager!
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