Capture 12

The final Reflection!
We had class again. I liked that Shum had the oppertunity to teach us today. He always connects information together really well and it is easy for me to understand and remember. We talked about TEE and how it developed over time by different philosophers and different Government funding. The highschool I went to was a public school in Tennessee it was very liberal arts orented we didn't have any vocational classes and I wasn't aware of any TEE classes. English Science and Math scores were high at the school school but I really think it is important for students to do hands on acitivies. From the highschool experience I did have, I know that when I took anatomy it was much easier to understand when we had cats,rats, lambs, and pigs to disect. Hands on discovery helps people understand in a different way.
There is a dicotomy of thought. Some people believe things should be taught for the general benefit of learning, others believe it should be taught to be mastered and applied only. If you aren't going to master it don't learn it.
I think my personal philosophy is that it is important to be exposed to many different fields of learning. Learn about all fields and learning will enrich learning.
To me liberal art teach us how to think and improve things. Science, Math, and Teach teachs us how to interact with the world around us. When we combined the two we can become the ultimate innovators.
I wish there was more Math and Science and a little more liberal arts in the major. I think that would be vastly benefical.  When I teach my goal would be to incorperate more math and science and liberal arts into the Tech curriculm.   

Reflection 11

This week our class was preparing their teaching presentations for the Elementary school. My group already presented so we did not have class. This leaves me with little to reflect on for TEE 276. I still need to get the video of our teaching and review it through MEDIA NOTES. It was a good oppertunity to teach at the middle school.
I am interested to hear how other groups did and what they thought of the experience. It was interesting that we were sent to an elementary school instead of a middle school or high school. I wonder if middle or high school students would have enjoyed the project more. It would be interesting to compare the two experiences.
It would be nice to have more opportunities to teach kids. It is definately is different teaching someone your own age than teaching younger children. I wonder how much different it would be teaching highschool vs teaching middle school.
Next to observing in the classroom i think this was the second most helpful activity. I didn't get very much out of teach other student in this class. Most of then know more about what I was teaching than I did. It will be nice to get more experience in the classroom later on.

Reflection 10

My group went to the Elementary school today! It was interesting. I feel like the teacher was very patient and helpful, qualities an Elementary school teacher should have. We did a series of activities with the students and talked to them about innovation and the design process.
We started out by telling them today they would be inventors. Emily asked them what an inventor is and if they have ever invented anything before. Garrett explained to them the design process: ask, imagine, plan, create, improve, all oriented around a goal. I told them their first challenge was to pair up and use a bag of supplies to make a robot that moves around and scribbles on paper. We gave them the bags which contained markers, a paperclip, popsicle sticks, a penny, a plastic cup, a motor, a battery, tape, a rubber band, and eraser, and a pencil. The students worked on their robots for about 30 minutes. The were coming up with some great designs and we went around the room observing and asking them questions to get them thinking. Such as, how does a car move? What acts like a wheel for this robot?
After us Jessica and Jeff did an activity about assembly lines. Afterward they did a good job discussing with the students the why of the activity but the logistics before hand could have been explained in greater detail little rocky. The activity was pretty fastpaced and several of the students were confused.  But the last activity the students were pretty tired but still working hard. I think we tried to pack in too many activities. The students were a little rushed and I wonder how much more they would have gotten out of the activities if we had taken more time to talk about them. I feel like the students understood the activities on different levels. Their attention spans were shorter than we expected.
Anne suggested afterword that we spend more time on explaining the activities before they engage in them.

Reflection Capture 9

We enjoyed the last 2 days of STL teaching. I presented on Earthquake technologies on Tuesday. I started with an internet research activity. Students broke up into groups and researched the Jan 2010 Earthquake. Then we discussed earthquakes, mercalli's scale of intensity, and the impact of earthquakes on buildings. The students broke up into groups where they discussed how an earthquake would effect buildings with poor siesmic designs: too many large windows, complex geometry, etc.  Dr. Wright and the class provided me with feedback. One student said that I gesticulate too much when I teach and she found it distraction. Dr. Wright mentioned that part of my powerpoint was distracting because I had a picture of a dinosaur in there, just for fun. He said that he wanted me to write new taxonomy on the board. Another way I could have improved was to set up the activities better. I should have organized the students into groups for the Internet research activity.
Some feedback that he gave students today was to focus on eye contact. It's helps to engage the students and we are teaching students not material. The missionaries at the MTC often mention that. They really like it when teachers make eye contact with them when they teach. Doctor wright also recommended more fully utalizing resorces. If you write somethign on the board take the time to go through it. This suggestion makes me think that I try to pack too much into the lesson. I tend to rush through things and we don't get as much as we could out of each activity. THis would help me set up activities better and focus more on the purpose of each activity.
Another way to improve teaching is to  assess during the demo. Check for understanding along the way of explaining the process. Ask questions right after explaining step one, then step two, step three etc.
One last point that Dr Wright said was important was to hit the "why"! Why are we learning this? Tell the students why we are teaching it and why they should learn it. I think this applies to what I talked about in Capture 8. If students see how the topic relates to something they are intrested in they are more likely to pay attention and learn.

Capture Reflection 8

It has been really intresting watching the other students teach. Some lectures have been really boring and I almost fell asleep. There are definately a few things I will try to never do. I agree with Dr. Wright powerpoint presentations are less effective when all they have is words on them. It is so much more intresting when there are pictures and the teacher explains the pictures. Also presenting information is not signigificant unless it applies to the people who are watching the presentation. I think as a teacher it is important to apply the subject to the students. When I saw how the subject applied to me and my situation it was much easier to pay attention.
I also agree with Dr. Wright about the importants of activities. Dr. Wright said that it is important to be a teacher not just a presenter. He wanted us to practice the different learning philosopies and to try out different techniques. The students should learn not just be exposed to information. What fosters learning? Thought! What can teachers do to help students think? I think one thing teachers can do is to ask questions. I loved having group discussions. Another things a teacher can do is talk about things, as I mentioned before, that already intrest the students. I was going to present on Earthquake technologies and as another students was presenting it was easier to pay attention because I kept thinking about how earthquakes would effect the technologies he was talking about. It is important to make the link. I think teachers can help link the subject to something that intrest students. I had an english teacher in highschool that related every topic to something in pop culture. Maybe the students won't get what you expected out of the lesson but they may learn something more valuable. But atleast they won't be asleep.
I really liked the lessons about communication technologies. I think that was easy to relate to, everybody talks. The power lectures where some of the most boring. I think that if I thought more about application it would have been more intresting to me. I also liked talking about ethical issues. Those discussions fostered talking and thinking about application.
Activites were most effective when we understood the purpose of the activity and made the connection between the activity and the lesson. The best activites were those that communicated knowledge without having to have the teacher explain. Like is says in John7:17 if we will do it, we can know it. Hearing alone isn't enough. .

Reflection/ Capture 7

Last week during class I got sick and I ran out so that I could throw up in the bathroom. But I am sure all the presentations were amazing. As far as observations went I had a great time at the autobody class. I wish I could have taken this class in highschool. It was very infomative. The teacher was great and really knew what he was talking about. I think that is the hard part about this major. We seem to learn a little bit about everything but I don't feel like an expert of anything. I feel like I want to learn about everything but when it comes to teaching something I need to be an authority on it. The teachers of the classes we've observed knew a LOT about the subjects that they were teaching. When I am a teacher I want to be like that. It's hard for me to pick the subject that I want to teach. I am fairly intrested in everything. That is why I chose to go to the Auto class because I don't know very much about auto shop, and I wanted to see how I liked it. It was intresting for sure but I don't think I am qualified to teach a class like that.

It seems like most of the classes I have observed are taught by teachers who worked in the industry and did not study teaching. That makes me wonder if I need to modify my course of study. Over all I am really glad we had the oppertunity to go and observe in classrooms. That was the most informative activitiy I think we could do as TEE students wanting to be future teachers.

This week I also started a teaching job. It's been a great experience working with the students. It is a wonderful learning experience. I love doing it and I am sure I will continue to improve and learn a lot about writing lesson plans and teaching methods. One thing I really like is that in our training meetings we are taught to focus on activities where the students can practice what they are learning. We are advised to have half the lesson be an activity where they can do what they learned. This helps the students really learn and makes the instruction more focused on preparing them to be able to do something. It also provides a grea oppertunity to encourage them as they practice. I think it applies very much to our major.

Capture Reflection 6

Today in class we took the Technology Literacy Evaluation Exam. I was glad that we did this because it forced me to become more familiar with Microsoft Office. Usually in this major we spend our time becoming familiar with Adobe Programs. I like Adobe and am grateful that I am learning about it. Microsoft Office seems more simple and easy to learn, but I am glad we had something which forced us to sit down and learn it and become more familiar with what is available through it. I learned a lot about powerpoint actually it is very cool! Excell has many possibles I never understood. The Internet evaluation was a piece of cake and the Word Activity was easy, easy.
In class on Tuesday it was great to see other people teach. I liked learning about medical technologies it was really interesting. It is neat to consider the broad spectrum of our major. The first teacher taught something very specific a brain reading technology that allows quadriplegics to perform functions a computer. I had never heard of that before! It was amazing. We considered the ethical issues attached to this technology and then debated them as a class. It was probably my favorite lesson. There were more general lessons which considered and discussed medical technologies and medical technology systems as a whole. I find the very broad classes a little bit boring. The technology is interesting but when we really get into something specific we can see who impressive it is and how it affects a particular aspect of society. I liked Evan's lesson which compared X-rays, cat scans, and Imaging. This evaluated the progression of technology and he used a sweet analogy to show how it improved over time. He cut tomatoes and compared the methods of analyzing them: holding them up to the projector light, slicing them, and observing them whole. It was great! I am a little nervous about what and how I cam going to present, but I will try to be specific and I will try to use some sweet analogies as well.

Capture Reflection 5

I LOVE PERSONALITY PROFILING!!! During class we reviewed these different personality types and how to get along with others who have different personality types. I was really excited to read the analysis of the personality test. One of my favorite books is called Possitve Personality Profiling and it is a very similar philosphy. There are 4 classifications for personalitiy types: dominate, amiable, expressive, analytical. Every person is a combination of the 4 types. Usually there is a most prominate type. According to the evaluation I see myself as an amiable/analytical. Others see me as an expressive/analytical. And in the work place I am amiable analytical. Amiable is defined as low-assertive and high-reponsive. They are sensitve to other peoples feelings show concern for others and sensitive to space.  They are rule keepers and avoid conflict. In some situations it is probably better to me more assertive. Some suggestions for being more assertive were: give more instruction instead of waiting for instruction, express my opinion, it's okay to take risks. Be willing to disagree. Take and independant stand. There were some suggestions for decreasing responsiveness: Control what you say about feelings and relationships, accept challenges, look at the big picture and know everything doesn't have to be perfect, adopt a professional attitude, focus less on friends and more on tasks. There were also suggestions to increase responsiveness, because despending on the situation increasing or decreasing responsiveness could be appropriete. For increasing responsiveness ask questions, be intrested in the people around you, be sincere, share negative feelings, give listening reponse by noding my head and summarizing what there person is saying.
I need to remember when I am interacting with someone who is dominate that they are not trying to hurt my feelings. I can strive to make faster decisions, and focus on the big picture instead of details. When working with another amiable person I can try and help bring out their ideas by asking what they think. I think it is really valuable to consider who we can improve our communicating ability. In my family there are many differnt personality types. My brother and sister are both strongly, strongly dominate/expressive, and my oldest brother is analytical/dominate, my sister is amiable/ analytical. Sometimes it is hard for my sister not to get her feelings hurt in the middle of the all the dominate people. It is important to frame this situation in a possitive way so that one does not get thier feelings hurt.    

Capture/Reflection 4

This has been an interesting week for me because as I read through the TEE literacy standards I've been doubting if I want to be a TEE teacher not because I don't like the standard. I think it is really important to be objective driven. But, I think I would prefer to teach other subjects like Math or English and infuse the curriculum with technology ed. As I read through the standard I had the distinct thought: this could be the most boring class in the world if it is not taught correctly. I guess that is where creativity comes into play as a teacher. There is so much I want to teach but we can't teach to much. It's never a good thing to try and teach too much. The student will get overwhelmed.
   From the Technology content standards we discussed how the goals of what we teach should include: understanding the scope of technology, the core concepts of technology, and the connection between technology and other fields.
I thought it would be interesting to have the class watch and episode of Man v. Wild and identify the ways in which Bear Grylls uses creates "technology to meet his needs." We could identity those things that fall into the core concepts of technology: systems, resources, requirements, optimization, trade-offs, processes, and controls. The examples we find with be fast and simple and something that students will be able to get excited about. We could then discuss how technology shapes society and how society shapes technology.
    We could journal about modern technology the role it plays in our lives. The students could think about how medical technology, agricultural technology, power technology, information and communication technology, transportation technology, manufacturing technology, as well as construction technologies applies to them. For instance the students could write journals reasons they are glad to have their cell phone, a recent time they used it, a letter to their parents explaining why they need one or why they need an upgraded one. This would help them see how these different technologies apply to them in their lives.
   We will study the influence of technology on society. We could look at it from a historical perspective and from an enviornmental perspective. THERE ARE SO MANY FACETS OF TECHNOLOGY!!
We also would explore the design process an engage in many wonderful and fun designing projects.
When I think about it there is so many wonderful parts of this major and I like the freedom to explore all of these options and not be set to a standardized curriculum.

Capture/Reflection 3

I am so happy that we went to visit the middle school today. I loved interacting with the kids. It's the first time this semester I felt confident that I could be a teacher. Middle-schoolers aren't even intimidating!!!! Who knew?
The classroom was very large and spacious with a high ceiling. This created a very relaxed environment that was easy to focus. There was seating available at 3 large tables and at the other half of the room there were computer stations for each child. The class sizes I monitored were from 28 students to 33 students. There was great lighting in the room, no window- which i always find distracting anyway-, and plenty of work space. The teacher Jared Merrel was very friendly and organized. He gave the students plenty of attention and taught using a scaffolding technique. The first section of class was spent in instruction building upon what they had learned yesterday about bridges. He used a power point presentation with interactive images of :compression, tension, bending, shearing, and torsion. He then showed examples of these movements in photographs. The students were allowed to speak out without expressed permission. Mr. Merrel asked the group lots of questions and reviewed what he had taught on previous days and today. after a concise instruction time the children were sent to the computers. Computers were not assigned and no time was wasted micromanaging the classroom. The children got to have individual practice time and use the computer as a mind tool. They designed bridges on the West Point Bridge Designing program released in 2007. Jared told everyone it is a free available program. For the rest of the class period I got to walk around the room and encourage the students. I asked them to tell me what their goals were, I was trying to follow Walter Gongs advise on teaching and learning, by giving the students the opportunity to explain to me how they understood the program and rather than giving them answers I gave them positive reinforcement and asked them questions. I was so happy that it went so well. It was a very encouraging experience to see the kids positive reactions to me and to what they were learning. This was a great classroom to model.
This Tuesday we had the opportunity to teach in small groups and I loved learning about technology from the other students. My favorite part about Tuesday was looking at the Lesson Plan standard online. The teaching objectives gave me a lot of direction. I think it was what Brother Gong would call the central message. It brought order to my teaching and tied everything together. It was the first time I really felt purpose in what I was teaching. My lessons are becoming more than random application with a variety of purposes.

Capture Refleciton 2

In class we discussed the moral dimension of teaching. It was determined that teachers have a responsibility to "enculturate youth in a social and political democracy, provide youth with access to knowledge, engage in nurturing pedagogy, and serve as a steward of public schools and education."

Enculturating youth in a social and political democracy starts with the understanding that people shouldn't exist in isolation. Instead we work together, respect each other, and recognize each other's needs. Teachers stand as a moral corner stone in society instilling this understanding into the rising generation. 

I think it is interesting word choice to say that as teachers we "provide access to knowledge". Nephi explains in the Book of Mormon that the spirit (the means by which all things are learned) carries the message unto the hearts of the man, but it does not say into their hearts. As teachers we carry the message unto the students but in the end we can't hold ourselves personally responsible for their learning. Our field is to guide discovery and help the students learn. There are many ways we can help this be done and therein lies our responsibility and challenge. Philosophers have classified hundreds of teaching methods and philosophies. In class, we discussed many of these different ways to help different students have appropriate access to knowledge.  I think one important part of being able to provide access to knowledge is to engage ourselves in continued study, that way we can provide access to a greater amount of knowledge.

The old saying is true: No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care. Instruction and association with students must be nurturing. In class we discussed Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which presents the priority of concerns human beings have. Before one concern can be addressed the problem of higher priority will always need nurturing first. The order of needs from superior to inferior is Physiological needs (hunger and thirst), safety needs (security and protection), social needs (loving environment and a sense of belonging), esteem (recognition and status), and finally self-actualization (when a student feels confident enough in themselves to be about to do the task at hand. Nurturing goes hand in hand with success. Walter Gong's explains in his method of teaching and learning that it is when a student feels charity, love, and joy they can then participate in exponential growth.

Lastly we look at our obligation to be stewards of public schools and education. We must forever be involved in education. The in the small and simple things as well as the big and important things we should apply the knowledge framework that Gong sets forth. It can become second nature to us as we recognize purposes in all we see, find central messages, see application for what we learn, and develop values based upon acquired wisdom. We must be role models for society in the way we utilize knowledge to become who we are. Love of learning must be an intimate part of who we become and must be reflected in what we do. We are to by a godly group. For the Glory of god is intelligent, or light and truth and for whosoever cleaves to light in him it will grow brighter and brighter until the perfect day!

Reflection of Class Week 1

During class on the 31st of August we explored the meanings of the words: Learn, Student, Teach, Teacher,  and Technology Education. We were asked to consider our personal teaching philosophies. Everybody has their own definitions of these words and Brother Wright encouraged us to think about what they mean to us as future teachers. We were asked to consider the following questions: What is your philosophy of teaching? What and why are you really trying to teach? What is your purpose as a tech teacher? Why be a teacher? What does good/ effective teaching look like? What would your classroom look like?
During an interview we should be able to answer these questions with conviction.
Personally I always wanted to be a teacher because I love seeing people learn. Aiding others as they develop more control over themselves and their environment brings me a lot of satisfaction.
Originally I wanted to be a special Education teacher because I am particularly interested in learning disabilities but I wanted to learn about and teach Technology because I know that it is becoming increasingly important in the world and greater knowledge and skill will be needed to serve in the future.
A teacher can do so much more than just have a computer in the classroom. As the ITEEA encourages teachers can  help students discover "That technology is, how it is created, how it shapes society, and in turn is shaped by society. "
As teachers we will facilitate learning. We can keep students involved and conduct activities that deliberately teach a principle. We talked about various techniques that will help students. Brother Wright brought a selection of fruit and invited us to take the fruit we wanted most. I chose a red apple and it tasted great. Wouldn't it have been disappointing for him and us if he had only come in with oranges-gross- and told us all that we were all going to have oranges.  This activity demonstrated the need to bring a smorgasbord of teaching skills the the table. Not every student will learn the same way and we need to be able to meet each student learning-style pallet in an organized way.
Brother Wright showed us a few examples of his son learning. I identified that he was given creative freedom to figure things out on his own and his achievements were impressive. In another circumstance he was given a model to follow. He fed off the enthusiasm and praise shown by his teacher, peer, and parent.