PEDAGOGY
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The students are the center of the classroom. Other than my computer and personal belongings, students have access to all areas of the classroom. The classroom is also a creative place and does not feel like a stiff institution. I have created a space where the walls are blue and green and we use lamps instead of florescent lights. Colorful rugs and bean bags are stored for students to use during reading time. The wall of bookshelves is the most important part of the room because so much of what we do is about books. A wall of student photos are showcased in one corner of the room. Class photos are taken every trimester and I snap photos every time I attend a student’s event to which they invite me to.
I believe that choice empowers and motivates any individual. The choice to read, the choice to choose, is powerful. Choice, especially for teenagers, empowers them and instills a level of self-confidence. Choice tells students that you trust them and are willing to work with them. In giving students choice, you earn respect for treating them like people and not just children. I give students choice, but it is important to note that I give students guided choice. For example, I choose five to six books from which they can choose freely. I also explain to my students that they always have the power to make their own choices, but that there are always consequences, whether positive or negative. This works into my philosophy that part of educating teenagers is teaching them life skills so that they can be successful individuals. Students learn how to make choices and to accept the consequences. I also integrate the teaching of character strengths, based on Paul Tough’s How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character. Students learn through a combination of lecture, collaboration, and individual work. We are not limited to textbooks, but venture to explore numerous avenues such as through technology, whole class discussions, sharing stories or even creating hypothetical situations. The implementation of technology is perceived as an extension of the classroom. It is not a substitute or a separate entity. Lastly, it is my firm belief that I teach to the students and not to the curriculum, the content or the test. I am available to assist and journey with my students. The high levels of expectation, respect, motivation, desire to learn and do the best starts with me and permeates through the students. |
The DreamIt Project is an assignment for Michigan State University's Master of Arts in Education Technology course CEP 800. The purpose of this assignment is to see how students will "intelligently integrate new technologies to help student understanding within [their] subject area in a transformational way." The ideas of this program and project are centered around TPACK.
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