Teaching Philosophy

The teacher’s role is to help students learn how to think and apply knowledge. Students do not need a human encyclopedia, nor do they need to become one in order to function in the future. A person who knows how to use a screwdriver is more valuable than someone who merely possesses one.

The goal of learning is for students to learn how to think and process information so that they can solve problems. Most of our education revolves around giving students information for them to memorize and recall later. That is brainless and will not be of much use when it comes to figuring out how we are going to survive as a country and species in the coming years.

The classroom environment has to have a social element. The era of isolation is over. Whether it is our social lives or the way our governments have to interact with each other, we have to figure out how to work well with others. There are very few real world situations that do not require working with others.

Technology will be the force that binds it all together. It will provide the tools necessary for the students to find and apply knowledge, utilize higher level thinking skills, and connect with other people in their own classroom and all over the world.

Can Hybrids save the (learning) Environment?

I was taught 2 different lesson plan formats. One involved a “hook” then went into more of a traditional lecture followed by guided practice then independent practice. The second was called “chunking.” You would teach a little bit, do an activity, teach a little bit more, do another activity.

The first format has the potential to become boring for the students; the second could potentially overwhelm them if you give them too much information. I think a modified format that combines the two is the best. Our students are used to constant stimuli. They watch television, listen to their iPods, text, and talk to people on the internet AT THE SAME TIME. Prolonged lectures where they are forced to be quiet and still for long periods of time are not as effective as they used to be, if they ever were.

If teachers use both activities that utilize the high level thinking skills and the various dimensions of learning that appeal to all learning types, all bases will be covered.

Gradual Progress

I am discovering that the best way to teach students is by utilizing the principle of gradual progress. The presentation talks about mindless lectures and information overload. These two issues can be rectified by teaching a little bit every day. For example, when I was teaching my class about the eight elements of literature my first year, I presented them all in one day. The students were overwhelmed and didn’t remember any of the information a few weeks later. The following term, I taught plot one day. I modified the information into understandable language and gave them an activity. They didn’t have to sit still or quiet for more than five minutes. The next day, we talked about plot and characterization. They remembered everything from the day before. We learned one new term a day. A few weeks later, everyone remembered the information.

Intro

Hello my new Instrutional Technology friends,

I will do my best to keep this space educational and entertaining!