Pedagogy, Systems, and Planning...Oh My!

Each week in my Curricular Planning class we are learning more and more.  When I come home from class and step back to reflect on what happened in the past week, I can see how each week is building upon those that have passed.  Then I take a look at what the coming week has in store, and feel so very overwhelmed!  We had the pleasure of a prior student visiting our class, and she spoke of how it will all come together at the end.  What's so comical about her comment is that I was just thinking that to myself, and sharing that same thought with a fellow student just days before.  As overwhelming as the class may feel at the moment, I know it will all come together at the end and make complete sense.  It's just making it to that point that is the challenge.

This weeks discussions revolved around Pedagogy (the art and science of teaching), Planning, and the systems used in planning.  We started out with our group presentations of the theories of learning.  My group presented on the Brain-Based Theory of Learning.  Once we developed our understanding of the topic, we had so many ideas and methods of presentation.  Our brains were really working...  Hearing the presentations on the other theories was very informative, and made me realize how many different perspectives could be had when considering how children learn.  It is possible that I could have a class full of children where each could learn most effectively from any of those theories.

We were also introduced to a wonderfully creative website, Wordle.  It creates word 'clouds'.  These could be very useful in introducing a new topic to my class, something for each student to create to show their understanding, or even a critical thinking exercise.  Here's an example:

Wordle: Hamlet Act1, Scene2

Our class ended with a discussion of planning, and what goes into planning.  As a lifelong procrastinator, planning is not my forte.  However, as I get older, and my children get older, and my day starts getting pulled in too many directions, I am learning the importance of planning.  I keep a calendar of when class assignments are due, when my childrens' activities are, any work related schedules, important dates of any sort, bill due dates...and the list goes on.  Seems like the more practice I get now in planning, the better off I will be in a classroom planning units, lessons, etc.

Jigsaw Learning...it's about all the pieces coming together!

In our study of the five core educational philosophies, we used a teaching method called Jigsaw Learning.  Essentially it breaks the class into equal size groups (called base groups).  Each person within the group then becomes an expert on their particular topic.  The experts for each topic then meet to discuss their expert topic, sharing information, presentation options; the experts return to their base group and share their 'expert' information with the base group.  It creates responsibility for each member of the group, no one person is left to the wayside.
After participating in this activity, I considered how I could implement this teaching style into to my own classroom.  And then I remembered my son telling me about a group project he is doing in his Science class.  They are using this in his classroom!  It is definitely a method that is being used and works in the classroom.  The excitement my son showed when sharing with me about this project was amazing; he showed true ownership, interest, and enthusiasm about the project.

For more on this topic: Jigsaw Classroom

Philosophies...It's not just the Great Thinkers creating them anymore...

This is just my first semester in the Education program, my first exposure to what I may and will face as a future teacher.  And already, in two of my three classes I'm being asked to create my Educational Philosophy.  My understanding is that this will be an ever evolving statement that will express to others my perceptions of education; how I will teach, motivate, assess; my expectations of my students; my views on curriculum; my methods of transferring knowledge to the minds of my students...

In the most recent meeting of my Curricular Planning class, we discussed the basic educational philosophies using a jigsaw method of teaching and learning.  I enjoyed using this method and can foresee using it in my own classroom.  In addition to this in class lesson, we took a brief survey to help us recognize and name our personal education philosophy.  In the survey, I leaned greatest toward Humanism/Existentialism, followed in a tie by Cognitivism and Progressivism.  In other words, I believe in hands-on learning, the teacher is more of a guide, and students have choices in their education based on their interests/skills.  Based on the definitions for these philosophies, and what I thought my teaching style would be like, I was right on track, just not having a name until now for my teaching style.

It was intriguing to discuss how each of the basic educational philosophies are defined, and then discuss in our groups how we viewed them being used in today's classroom.  My group even developed our own theory of our professor's educational philosophy based on the definitions, and how she has taught our class to date.

Reflection on where my philosophy lies as compared to how I view today's classroom, my philosophy tends to a bit more liberal view of learning than what is currently presented in public education.  With the focus on standardized testing, and the push for test numbers to increase or remain high, much of the teaching occurring in today's classroom is based on the students learning what is required for these tests.  Where does this lend to the students developing their creativity and interests?  I understand that the students are no longer competing against the other students within their school, their district, their state, or even the entire nation; students are now competing globally.  Yes, I do no deny that learning the 3 R's is essential; however, we are not educating robots.  Our students must have the core curriculum components, but it will be their creativity that will help them to stand out.  Look at the number of executives of innovative companies that were drop-outs.  It was their creativity that helped them innovate, and become leaders.

What is a teacher?

This past week we have been discussing, researching, and reflecting on teaching and learning.  We were given the assignment of defining 'learning'.  It is amazing how many variations are available to define one word.  And teaching, at least not in current educational settings, is not just providing facts and information for memorization.  Students, because of the technologies readily available to them both in school and out, learn very differently than you or I did 5, 15, or even more years ago.  Teachers have to adjust their teaching styles to integrate technology, when available, and to engage and stimulate their students.

Our classroom discussion also encompassed Curriculum, and the various types of curriculum.  (Are you surprised we were discussing curriculum in a class called Curriculum Planning and Development??)  Our discussion and subsequent assignment helped me to realize how many variants truly affect the classroom; what is taught; how it is taught; what is not taught and why; what is learned; how it is learned; how parents, religion or lack thereof, politicians, administrators, peers, teachers, and students themselves influence curriculum.  There is so much to consider when teaching our children.  How do our educators fit it all into one day, one quarter, one semester, one school year?  How is it determined what is most important for the students to learn?  We all know this varies to some extent on what is going on in society, but who makes that final decision?

As part of my coursework I am required to complete ten hours of fieldwork observation.  I will be observing a teacher, his classroom, and reflect on how what I am learning as a future teacher is put to use in an actual classroom.  I am curious already to find out this teacher's perspective on the various types of curriculum, and how they pertain to his classroom.

A Teacher... that is what I have decided to pursue as a career.  Yet when you think about it, I already have some experience... I have three children.  Even despite that, I think we all teach each other something at some point in our lives, whether we realize it or not.  Have you ever shown someone how to play a board game?  Have you ever shown someone how to fix something?  Have you ever lent a hand  when someone asked for help?  Have you ever shared your opinion on something?  Can't each of these be considered a 'teaching' experience?

The Path I Chose....

Welcome to my blog.  This is a completely new experience for me.  I am a mother of three, and after being out of school for almost 15 years, I have decided to return to pursue my Master's in Elementary and Special Education.  This is a huge change for me considering I received my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  After years of working, coming home unhappy, realizing it is not what you know but rather who you know, and not fulfilling my deep desire to feel that what I am doing is making a contribution to society, I came to the conclusion it was time to pursue my true dream... becoming a teacher!  I remember "playing" school as a child, enjoying the feeling of sharing my knowledge with others, and those teachers that made an influence on me.  

This blog is being created as a place for me to reflect on my experiences in this new pursuit, most specifically my reflections on my Curricular Planning and Development class with Dr. Smirnova.

Classes started just three weeks ago, and yet I feel I have learned so much in such a short period of time.  Now I understand where my adviser was coming from when she recommended I only take 2 classes, but I persuaded her into allowing me to take 3 this semester.  The masters classes are very intensive, but I am up for that challenge, and my family is ready to support me.

The first night of Curricular Planning left me flabbergasted!!!!  How was I ever going to make it through this class?  While the class is about curricular planning, planning to meet the standards, adjusting for the various types of learners and abilities, Dr. Smirnova is providing us with the knowledge of various 'new' technologies to use in our classrooms to engage our students and present the curriculum.  While I love learning new things, I have to admit I was pertrified.

As the weeks have passed, what few they have been so far, we have used some of the technologies in class and our assignments (including this blog), and I am starting to feel more comfortable.  (A quick sigh of relief!!!)