Say what?

After spending some of the afternoon catching up on people blogs, I came across Jessica’s one about NAPLAN  being online… After reading her post I must agree that students already have a full workload at school and adding extra pressure (something else to learn) on to the students may leave less time for other content areas. I also agree that students would be fine with maths, as it would only be a click of a button, but with English, students will have to learn how to use a similar software to word. Additionally, students will have to become fairly fast at typing (which I have only just become within recent years).

With the curriculum already being over crowded how will teachers find the time to make their students capable and competent users of this software?

It’s like some people just don’t think sometimes.

R.

I made it!

Well, I am back from my remote professional experience. I made it through. Content wise my prac was fairly easy, most of the stuff I was teaching had to be built upon all most the whole time I was there. So I was basically teaching the same concept in different ways for 3 weeks (easy yes, however the students really needed this and benefited from repetition). However, I have learnt so many behaviour management and differentiation strategies they are starting to seep out of my ears! The context was so different from the previous schools I have been to. With all the students needing a different kinds of attention, PBL and content.

It is good to read about peoples experiences on prac and whether or not there prac went off with or without hitches! Just like Zoe, I would also describe mine as unforgettable.

Only one more week, 2 more assignments. Bring it on!

R.

One more task.

One thing I have learnt fairly well over this course, is that there is always more than ‘one more task’.

This post is in response to the week 10 module.

Through this weeks learning path I have learnt a great deal about how to become a better digital citizen and about how to teach students to become one too.

I have asked my school for their policies and processes on how to use ICTs in a safe manner.

I have identified what my students should know by the end of grade 2 through the continua provided.

With regards to my planning, I have decided that I will now come up with some easy to read guidelines that students can follow in order to become a better user of ICTs. These guidelines will be displayed in the computer labs and around the classroom.

I am out.

R.

1st day of prac!

So, my very first day of prac is over!

Everything is so different, the school, the students, the teachers, the community, and the town. I must say the one thing I love most about prac is getting to see the different types of teachers, pedagogy and students.

Some new things I learnt today:

• A class of 10 students can be louder than 26
• There is a program called Class Dojo (which is a PBL for the whole school)
• That sometimes ignoring low-level behaviour is good and identifying it can have a worse outcome
• New methods to get the students attention
• The benefits of remote pracs and teaching positions

Anyways, I’m off to plan!

R.

Taste sweet?

So, week 10… Week 10… Wow! Needless to say my mind was blown! *BANGG*

After the ‘Take my lollipop‘ activity, I’m about ready to not use the internet anymore… Like Zoe, I’m also a little freaked out about this. As a result, I am making sure that my privacy setting are up-to-date!

This sort of reminded me of a TV show (not appropriate for children) called catfish. This TV show, shows how easily people can lie over the net and create a false identity. Which is pretty scary, I have actually had a friend that has been caught in one of these traps! Scary to think that sometimes they don’t always have a good ending.

R.

Digital citezenship

I had never heard of the term digital citizenship before, but I now understand that I have been carrying out digital citizenship  through the use of facebook, assignments, blogging and teaching. Although I have never been involved directly in cyber bullying or identity I have heard about these things happening through media and word of mouth.

The 1st quiz: Wowza! I got 1/4. I really thought I would have done better than that. I definitely thought that with today’s technology, there would be more cyber bullying than non. From these findings it is clear that I need to do some more research!

The 2nd quiz: 21/25. Definitely happy  about this result, It is good to know that I am almost fully cyber safe. I can certainly see how students would be swayed other ways. Definitely when things are deemed  ‘cool’ by their peers.

Overall, I feel like I am cyber safe. However, I should learn more about how to teach students about bullying (cyber and not).

R.

Coding an Programming

So, apparently coding and programming is a thing. Over the past few years there has been a focus on students about coding and programming (> here is an article that talks about it<). Which realistically makes sense, because we live in an ever evolving world of technology and digital literacy. A few programs that came up during the learning path and this weeks tutorial was the use of Bee-Bots (a little robot you can program) and Scratch (a program where you can make a game). I have found so many useful tools and resources throughout this course, I am looking forward to embedding the use of these within my future practicums.

R.

Good Idea!

Heya guys!

So, I was skimming through my reader and I seen a post by Zoe. Zoe Suggested making a second blog that I can use for reflections on my teaching experience, lessons and learning! What a great idea! I could potentially use this within the portfolio for the seven standards for teachers >(AITSL)<. You never know!

In addition, I will be able to see any trends that might be happening throughout my teaching experience and suggest ways that I could improve next time. Oh and it will make me feel like I am young again (even though I am not that old), reminiscing on the days when I would write into my diary on a daily basis.

R.

 

 

RoleM

Heya guys!

With not long now until prac, my mentor teacher has emailed me some information about my class! YAY!

Within her email she mentioned that her class is using RoleM. Huh? I had no idea what this was. Luckily one of my best friends was around to tell me all about it. Yes, you guessed it. Me and google go wayyyyy back!

RoleM (Representations, Oral Language and Engagement in Mathematics) is a mathematics program that has been designed specifically to help students that are indigenous, ESL and come from low socio-economic contexts. The program provides booklets, web resources and ipad apps.

I am looking forward to learning more about this program on my prac!

R.

Past and present

Heya guys,

I just wanted to share with you an activity I have done on the learning path!

1. The top 2 challenges/problems/mistakes you have faced or made on prior Professional Experiences.

• Mistake/problem: I had to 2 classes the same content about space. During my class I decided that when I was to teach the next class I would hold all questions until the end, as I felt I kept getting interrupted in the first one. Nevertheless, this was a mistake for me. The first class I taught went a lot better in terms of student interaction and discussion. The second one was complete opposite, it was almost like most of the students forgot their questions by the end of the lesson and there was much less discussion.
• Challenge: Mathematics! This subject for me is challenging, I have never really been a whizz when it comes to maths. However I have been making sure that I am teaching all the maths I can to become better teacher!

1. The top 2 fears/challenges you have about your EDC3100 Professional Experience.

• Not being able to cater for the diverse needs of my learners
• What happens if my prac teacher isn’t a good one! I have heard so many stories about not good prac teachers I can only hope that mine will take me under her wing!

R.