Course Strands and Dimensions of Learning

Course Strands

1.      Communication:

Communication is incredibly important.  I reflect on this semester and the work that I have done with my students.  There were definitely some points where it was difficult to reach a certain student and I felt discouraged at that time.  It happened early on it was a learning experience that I will remember.  I integrated several communication methods.  We used art as expression to develop our characters.  I also had the students mime out a scene in their story and we had to guess.  They enjoyed that portion that a lot more than I thought they would have.  Their storytelling was a great form of communication because they were able to express their character based on their point of view. 

2.      Research/content:

We used research to develop our characters and I learned a lot about their learning styles.  My students are artistic and very talkative.  I integrated those components as often as I could because I knew it was an interest of theirs.  They researched their characters by talking to them or observing them.  It was nice to hear stories surrounding their stories.  They do not realize that they know a lot more than they give themselves credit for.  I utilize research daily as I work with my students and read our course texts. 

3.      Technology

Technology is awesome… I enjoy how easy it makes things for us.  We use technology a lot in this course. We post our assignments on the class blog.  Frances gives us various opportunities to exploit our options when it comes to technology.  She enjoys taking pictures and we are able to use these pictures on our course blogs.  However I tend to have bad luck with this website but it is definitely getting better.  Copying and pasting has helped a lot and it is so simple.  We were able to learn about editing and it is tricky so that will be an ongoing learning task for me. It was nice to get my feet wet though.

4.      Collaboration:

I love collaborating because it is inevitable and needed.  I feel that it is a great way to get the best of every learning opportunity.  We model it for our students.  We work with our fellow peers just as we ask them to do for peer conferencing.  I usually debrief with a few of the other UNM coaches after our class and see what is working for them.  It gives me ideas of what I could possibly try.  We collaborate with our students to learn about their progress.  It is nice to collaborate with our instructor to receive insight about any questions that arise. 

Five Dimensions of Learning

1.      Confidence and Independence

I feel confident and independent as the semesters pass.  I also feel this is true because of the number of classrooms that I have had the opportunity to set foot in.  It is an important tool to have because it creates those relationships that the students seek in a teacher.  It is difficult to listen or trust a teacher who lacks these qualities.  It sends mixed signals to the students and I have been able to grow in this area over time.  I feel that with the amount of practicum I have had this semester I am in a great place.   I also believe that beginning with our performances helped create these qualities.

2.      Skills and Strategies

I want to brag on the SOLOM questionnaire in our text it was a great tool.  I learned a lot from that piece to incorporate in my practicum with my three students.  I was able to decide what strategies and skills needed to be addressed for each of my students.  Chelene needed very little guidance and Isaiah was just below her.  However Anthony required more assistance than the others.  Scaffolding was an important tool during our meetings.  I would scaffold down to the level Anthony was on and it worked well.  I felt that I did a great job developing my instructional skills.  I did a great job identifying their strengths and needs due to the SOLOM questionnaire.  Being able to see the various levels they were on enabled me to develop a great way to help them with their Chautauqua.

3.      Knowledge

Most of my knowledge has been kept in a notebook that I write in as I work with my students every day that we meet.  I observe them and take note of what will assist me as we work together.  Each day I have learned something different because of the various learning strategies they prefer.  The text has been important because it provides effective strategies that stress reinforcement.  That is definitely what has helped me develop progress with Anthony. 

4.      Use of prior and emerging experience

I utilize my prior experiences every time that I am working with students.  I tend to use what I have had success in from the past.  If it proves to continue being effective I embrace it.  However naturally if it is not I make necessary changes by building on the needs and strengths of the student.  I believe you make the best of every learning opportunity and learn from those experiences.  As for the emerging experiences I am learning how to integrate storytelling as a possible lesson for my future students and it is exciting.  I am also learning how to include technology that students could benefit from.

5.      Critical Reflection

I reflect constantly in all my courses with a journal and I have kept one for this class.  I feel that it is a great way to see the progress that my students have made from the first day through our final product.  I see the journal as a great tool that enables me to develop effective teaching strategies. 

Final evaluation

Reflection:

I have realized that in all of France’s courses I enjoy the experiences we are given.  Time is utilized well and we are able to work with various students we learn a lot from.  I enjoyed the time we spent going out to various places within our community that many overlook.  I plan to use these places as resources and it was a great change in our learning environment. We were able to share destinations that we felt were interesting and believed they were great resources.  I enjoyed the work we did with Mrs. Bradshaw’s class because it was a great way to utilize the strategies that we read about in our text books. 

Suggestions:

Frances I have enjoyed all of your courses I have had the opportunity to take.  I feel that they keep getting better.  I loved the way that you organized the course this semester.  The only thing that I will say is that it was rather difficult to be in all those places at once.  I felt a little overwhelmed at times because it was a lot but not enough time.  However I enjoyed the field trips and took a lot away from our local resources.  I would definitely bring back Dr. Peele-Eady as a guest speaker she was sensational and opened all of our eyes. 

Grade evaluation:

A+……I have enjoyed this semester immensely and feel that I have learned a lot.  I                  enjoyed working with my students this semester and continue to develop my teaching philosophy.  I have worked hard and have made the most of our discussions.  I enjoy listening to what others have to share and take what they say into consideration.