Field Experience #1

What? I started my field experience this week. I am working with the 4th grade. My field partner and I decided that we wanted to observe our first week so we could get a feel of the classroom before teaching.

So what? I know that this experience will be very beneficial to me as a teacher. I know that it already is as a student. My class is very quiet. I think this is because my teacher has excellent classroom management. I don't really know any major behavior problems within her classroom. My teacher speaks with a very quiet voice and all of her students respect her.

Although the class is very well put together, I feel like there is too much quiet time. There is not a lot of group collaboration going on within the classroom, where the kids can let loose a bit and have some fun. I think that technology could be just the key for something like this. We could make a webquest where the class can work together in groups. Through this they can have fun using technology.

Now what? One thing I have notice is that the class doesn't use technology really at all. Every day all of the 4th grade class split into groups and rotate among the library, the computer lab, music, and PE. This is really the only chance the students have to work with technology, on the day they happen to have computer lab. I think that rotations is a great idea but I think that as a future teacher I can learn to incorporate more technology into my classroom.

This semester has taught me one thing that there is so much you have do to include technology. My students can learn a lot by making a movie for the class to teach their fellow students about something. I know that my department and colleagues will appreciate my ideas on this matter and hopefully start including more technology into their classrooms. As a teacher I want to make a difference, to stand out, to really get through to my students. I know that technology can be a big help to head in that direction.

Video Reflection: Do you teach or do you educate?
This video is to get teachers thinking about how they teach. The video starts off with giving the definition to teach. It says

1. to explain or teach how to do something.
2. to encourage someone to accept a fact
3. to give information or instruction in something
4. cause someone to learn or understand something
5. induce by example or punishment to do or to not do something

Then it ask if you are an educator someone who,

• illuminate
• enlighten
• inspire
• empower

Educator: one who gives intellectual, moral, and social instruction.

Mentor: an experienced and trusted advisor.

Guide: a person who advises and shows the way.

Education make a people easy to lead but difficult to drive; easy to govern but impossible to enslave- Peter Brougham

This video really gets you thinking about the responsibilities you have as an educator. There is so much more to being a teacher than standing in front of a class all day. It is important to remember our goal as teachers and what it really means to be a teacher in the long run.