Blog Post #6
I have learned many things while in W-310. One of the things is that everyone has a different type of memory. Alongside this information, there need to be different teaching styles that will help each memory involved. Some of the memory styles involved are declarative, episodic, conditioned, procedural, and flashbulb memory. The memory that I identify most with is the episodic memory which is when I remember stories from my own experience. The keyword being experienced. Some teaching styles that I may include are hands-on learning and storytelling. Hands-on learning can be used in any subject especially math and science. While teaching math, I may use building blocks so that students can have hands-on learning experiences. Storytelling, without necessarily reading a book, will keep kids interested in the lesson that is being taught.Â
The next thing I learned about in this class is that technology use in the classroom does not necessarily mean having students explore different apps on the iPad or computer. The use of technology can just be the use of different online resources such as educational websites that I have already looked into beforehand. The âGames to Learn Englishâ has been life-changing for me as a future ENL teacher as I did not know of any resources for ENL until this classroom. It is important that I am able to teach my ENL students how to use their online resources just like any other student in the classroom.Â
The third thing I learned in this class is that the lessons my students need to be engaged with the lesson. It is one thing to just lecture to young students and another to help them and want them to be successful learners. No student wants to start a new lesson discouraged and end the lesson frustrated an unable to feel like they learned anything (Dirksen, p129). I learned that I can teach a new part of a lesson and I need to have practice for my students to do so that they are confident in their ability. As I assess their learning and see where every student is at in understanding, I can move on to more challenging parts of the lesson and again, have practice at the end of the lesson. Students need to be confident and be able to say to themselves âI think I canâ because that is what will keep them moving forward.Â
The fourth thing I learned is that keeping my students engaged can also mean having fun in the classroom! Some fun things are rewards and having a good time. Students have different backgrounds, cultures, and home lives so they should all be treated equally and be able to have fun at the building in which they are in for a majority part of their day.Â
The fifth thing I learned in this class is that technology does not just need to be a âtreatâ. Technology is a very powerful learning tool that can help students want to learn. Some of them have already mastered how to search for things that will help them in understanding math problems because of their parents at home. Some students do not have resources at home, but when they are exposed to technology at an early age, they are able to find out that their strengths are in technology especially science and math. These students may find what they are passionate about in life early on which is beneficial to them.Â













