Holy Moly, it is hard to believe that this is our last blog post of EDUC 4P19, and let me tell yah I am ready for the break. I’m not sure that all the King’s horses and all the King’s men could put me back together again either! I have come to the point in the semester where I feel as though I am done, (Please excuse the profanity at the end, but other than this cuss word these are my feelings exactly!) spent, and have no more to give. It is a funny feeling because in some ways it is of course extremely stressful, but in so many ways also relieving. Knowing that in two weeks (tomorrow, Friday) I will be able to head home and see my wonderful family, makes this process ever so wonderful. It makes the early mornings and hundreds of words typed worth it. It makes the thought of my bed at home, and watching NHL hockey with my Dad light up my face with joy. But it also causes me to take pause and reflect on my education and what I have learned this term, and specifically what I have learned from this course. What are my KDB’s? What have I taken from this course, and how will I apply them in my teaching practice? In order to save myself from rambling on I have decided to break this blog up with subheadings ! I have also decided to have some fun with my links, the first two are seemingly pointless youtube videos, but add some spice ! So here we go...
Community
I started this class sitting at the front every lecture, fully engaged and in-tune with what was going on at the front. But as lessons progressed I found myself surrounded by my friends at the back of the classroom. Whereas of course this led to more off task behaviour I believe that it actually enhanced my learning. Although I was not AS focused it allowed me to gain deeper connections with my classmates and peers around me. It allowed me to establish connections that I hadn't had before. It took learning from a "do" to a "be" in allowing me to become a community member, someone more than just that girl at the front, answering questions but enriched my learning by being around like-minded people ! This gives me good perspective in how to better understand the chatter in my classroom and not automatically dismiss it as off task behaviour ! I think that allowing dialogue may actually promote better learning and foster a better community, and teach leadership in the classroom! This may be where the next big 21st century revelations, solution or resolution stem from and that excites me that I can foster a place that this can happen !
I started this class sitting at the front every lecture, fully engaged and in-tune with what was going on at the front. But as lessons progressed I found myself surrounded by my friends at the back of the classroom. Whereas of course this led to more off task behaviour I believe that it actually enhanced my learning. Although I was not AS focused it allowed me to gain deeper connections with my classmates and peers around me. It allowed me to establish connections that I hadn't had before. It took learning from a "do" to a "be" in allowing me to become a community member, someone more than just that girl at the front, answering questions but enriched my learning by being around like-minded people ! This gives me good perspective in how to better understand the chatter in my classroom and not automatically dismiss it as off task behaviour ! I think that allowing dialogue may actually promote better learning and foster a better community, and teach leadership in the classroom! This may be where the next big 21st century revelations, solution or resolution stem from and that excites me that I can foster a place that this can happen !
Technology
In my first blog I typed about my disdain for technology and my desire to have students till use pen and paper and have real world connections etc ! At some level afraid of what technology might take away, failing to see what it brought to learning! Although at some level I feel the same way part of my heart has changed to accept the fact that the 21st century has arrived and allowing students to not REPLACE the 'old method' of learning, but ENHANCE it through modern advances may give them an even fuller and enriched educational experience. That although I can believe strongly in these older methodologies working to see how, as suggested, they can better education may come together to create a new model of education which far surpasses one style over the other. The future is here, so let's embrace it !
In my first blog I typed about my disdain for technology and my desire to have students till use pen and paper and have real world connections etc ! At some level afraid of what technology might take away, failing to see what it brought to learning! Although at some level I feel the same way part of my heart has changed to accept the fact that the 21st century has arrived and allowing students to not REPLACE the 'old method' of learning, but ENHANCE it through modern advances may give them an even fuller and enriched educational experience. That although I can believe strongly in these older methodologies working to see how, as suggested, they can better education may come together to create a new model of education which far surpasses one style over the other. The future is here, so let's embrace it !
As, For, Of
Learning the in's and out's of assignment was one of the things that I will take away from this course most ! This new way of thinking and looking at the ways learners learn gives me hope for the future of education as it allows students to explore and become better thinkers, not just "winners of the game". In the creation of different assessments it allows for the creation of new and exciting assignments. It allows for students to be the leaders in their own learning, allowing them to decide what works for them, and become leaders in their learning, to thus become leaders in their lives. For me assessment was always feared. I would worry, and panic about an upcoming test or paper as I felt that I hadn't had the chance to prove what I know on more than one occasion. This method allows for exactly that, it allows students to showcase not only what they know, but how they know and how they grow and have grown throughout the unit !
Learning the in's and out's of assignment was one of the things that I will take away from this course most ! This new way of thinking and looking at the ways learners learn gives me hope for the future of education as it allows students to explore and become better thinkers, not just "winners of the game". In the creation of different assessments it allows for the creation of new and exciting assignments. It allows for students to be the leaders in their own learning, allowing them to decide what works for them, and become leaders in their learning, to thus become leaders in their lives. For me assessment was always feared. I would worry, and panic about an upcoming test or paper as I felt that I hadn't had the chance to prove what I know on more than one occasion. This method allows for exactly that, it allows students to showcase not only what they know, but how they know and how they grow and have grown throughout the unit !
Know, Do, Be
I could go on and on about Know, Do, Be, and how I had one heck of a hard time sorting through it all for the curriculum, but I think to save you the pain of reading about it all I will describe what I think to BE the most important part of this trio! Although all feed into one another, without a doubt I believe that the B is the most important thing that as educators we strive to have our students work towards. Education of course about knowing, and doing but this can be as simple as regurgitating information from the textbook.However "be" suggests that learning and education are transformative. That it can take students from one state of mind or one prescriptive and allow them to grow and be changed for the better. This should always be the goal of an educator, to enrich not only the learning experience but the life of a child, for the rest of their lives. I know for myself that I would much rather a child know that being an active and engaged citizen is more important than arithmetic, or know that 1+1 =2, suggestive that if two is greater than one teamwork is a key piece to success ! If teaching can be structured to transform students into global citizens of the world, then I think that is the best thing that our youth can be !
Final thoughts !
I thoroughly enjoyed this class, and cannot wait to start implementing some of the things I learned this term. It's been a wild ride, and I can't wait for the things I have learned to help me in the many challenges I face as a teacher in the 21st century !
I think that this quote further highlights my understanding of the KDB.
K-the knowledge that a change must take place and that this will require hard work and dedication.
D- the process itself, where sometimes it may seem like nothing is happening but the process continues even when hidden
B- the beauty that comes from something so seemingly mundane.
Education allows for learners to grow, be shaped and transform into a place where they can soar !
I thoroughly enjoyed this class, and cannot wait to start implementing some of the things I learned this term. It's been a wild ride, and I can't wait for the things I have learned to help me in the many challenges I face as a teacher in the 21st century !
"To me education is like a butterfly, learning is a process which lends itself to reveal beauty once it is ready to be shown". - MK.
I think that this quote further highlights my understanding of the KDB.
K-the knowledge that a change must take place and that this will require hard work and dedication.
D- the process itself, where sometimes it may seem like nothing is happening but the process continues even when hidden
B- the beauty that comes from something so seemingly mundane.
Education allows for learners to grow, be shaped and transform into a place where they can soar !
#respect
ReplyDeleteWhat a great quote. Whoever said that might have been a genius.