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.