While still scheduling guest speakers to come in to speak to my students, I had my students google the top 10 highest paying jobs. We went through each job to explore what type of education would be required for each job and how much school would be required to be considered educated in that particular field or hold license in that field. We then discussed other jobs and the salaries that accompanied those jobs that the students were interested in. I was able to relate some of their career aspirations to their current academic courses to impress upon them the importance of working hard now and also how enjoyable some of their courses were that related to a possible career choice.
One thing I have learned that I can apply to my instructional practice is utilizing multiple approaches to providing instruction. Students are accustomed to a dynamic lifestyle with all the technology they interact with daily. They also need the social interaction of face to face instruction and the practice with communication it provides. Although no new questions have arisen, I still have to learn some new and creative ways to engage my students. I need to learn more about my students and how they feel they learn best.
I feel my plan is progressing steadily, but I will remain flexible in case adjusting is necessary.
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Eric,
ReplyDeleteIt is great that you know you need to learn more about your students and how they learn best. I think all educators need to realize this and to continue to learn more about their students, even if they think they know everything about them. Social interaction is very important! I honestly feel that our students and even professionals in the business world are lacking with social skills due to the increased use of technology and what it can do now. Keep up the great work!
Laura
Eric,
ReplyDeleteI like the point you made about students being used to a "dynamic lifestyle." I think that with all of the digital stimulation that surrounds all of us on a daily basis makes it hard for students to sit in a traditional school setting to actually learn in the way that many of us learned in. I think back to my elementary school teachers which we would call "dinosaurs" because of their teaching styles. The way that those teachers taught me would not work with today's children. I do not know if this is true, but I have a theory about all of my students that suffer from ADD, and I think it may have to do with a lot of digital stimulation. Why would a student sit or participate in a classroom if they are used to being stimulated on multi levels from an early age.
I agree that knowing your students well can make your teaching more effective. I feel that in the upper grades, this task can become extremely difficult because there are more kids and you see them for less time. This year I also made it a point to try to learn more about my kids and I feel I have a much better connection with them in the classroom because of it. This year I had my students write me a letter introducing themselves to me to start the school year off with a more opened classroom. Could you use a survey with your students asking questions about how they like to learn, where they learn best, etc. This would give you an initial standing as to how each of your students learn. GOOD LUCK!
ReplyDeleteEric,
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting that y'all googled the top 10 jobs, but did you stop at just the highest paid? I would be interested in finding out what these jobs were, I'll have to google them myself. Did teaching or any other similar profession make the list? What a way to make this activity relevant to real-life and then you even took it a step further and paralleled career possibilities with current academic paths.
As to realizing your students' learning strengths, there is an assessment that I give at the beginning of each school year, but more for my students to have more insight about themselves. I would be happy to share if you'd like.
As usual, you are doing an amazing job!
Kimberly