Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Week 5 Blog Post (Game Plan Continued)
After evaluating my game plan, I believe that my actions have improved my status for my goals reasonably well. I have found some interesting real-world applications, and after going through our courses resources, I have learned some things about implementing them in the classroom. I have learned about making my lessons diverse so all students are able to learn at their fullest capability, and I have also learned about the ins and outs of problem-based learning activities. I like problem-based learning activities because they will help when I am trying to incorporate more real-world applications. Also, according to Dr. Ertmer, reflection is important for making sure the students are learning concepts and it is good for assessment, so that will help with my other goal as well. I still need learn how to facilitate problem-based learning activities, so I don't give the students too much. I am too hands-on oriented when I teach, so I need to learn to back-off and let the students show me what they can do. In order to overcome this problem, I plan to look at my districts professional development programs and see if any deal with problem-based and project-based learning activities. I believe if there are any, they will include examples and maybe observation sessions.
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Erus,
ReplyDeleteI have a difficult time letting and allowing students to show me what they know and what they can do independently. Sadly, it seems that they know more than I do at times (especially when it comes to technology). Once we feel more comfortable with Problem-based learning, I think we will be able to let go of the reigns a little more.
Meghan
Erus,
ReplyDeleteLetting go, like you and Megan both stated was hard for me too, and actually still is sometimes. What I have found though, is the more I let them go a little more on their own, the better results I get. I think when it comes to the problem based learning, it is going to be like most lesson/unit plans, it will be trial and error, some thing will work and some won't, just keep trying.
One thing I have found that helps me sometimes, is to do an observation or two. Most of the time, I just pop in to a room for part of the hour on my planning time. It doe snot even have to be another social studies class, just something to get some more ideas, or see how something looks when being executed. I was a little nervous about this my first year, but now going into my fourth I like to do it occasionally, so I highly recommend it! Good luck and just keep trying and plugging away, and do not ever be afraid to ask for student thoughts or feedback on something! They love it!
I just wrote on Amber Byrne's Blog about my struggle with grading the process. I can grade test, papers, projects, but when it comes to grading the process, I am completely lost. I have rubrics that I have found and that is a start. Like you, I need to see it in action. I would love to observe Problem Based Learning from Start to Finish. I have looked on Edutopia for videos, but all you get are the snapshots of teaching that leave you all warm and fuzzy. With that written, I am also a person who enjoys a challenge and likes to be pushed outside of my comfort zone. It sounds crazy, and is very frustrating when it is happening, but it has always made me a better teacher and person. I love being on summer break, but I am really chomping at the bit to get in the classroom and try out my newly found skills.
ReplyDeleteBeing a math teacher I have a difficult time allowing my students to "walk" me through a problem after we had done a few together already. I need to work on letting go and allowing the students to work more on their own. I think that I have a hard time with this because I know how the problem goes and at times I get impatient waiting for the students to answer with the next step. I have really noticed in the past couple of weeks as I teach summer school. The students are not at all motivated and I am not sure if they would "walk" me through a problem if a grade depended on it!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone. It is nice to know that you aren't the only one that feels like your struggling. I do believe that it will be easier the more I learn about it, and I agree that I need to see it in action and get a different perspective on the whole thing. I have talked with a colleague of mine that tends to do a lot of problem-based learning activities and he told me that when he is working with the students he always asks himself, "If I tell them this, what will they have learned from the activity?" I think saying that to myself help prevent me from giving too much, but not abandoning my students for the sake of a teaching style.
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