During our first class session, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders! It was such a relief to hear that everyone has concerns about going into the classroom. Throughout my courses, I've learned a lot about what I should do to be an effective teacher, but not a lot about the research behind why the methods are effective or how to make them work in a real-life classroom. I am especially interested in learning how to be a reflective teacher and get my students motivated and enjoying learning. I am hoping that by the end of this class I'll have a better understanding of how to critique my teaching and adapt to best meet the needs of my students. I struggle with self-critique and am often way to hard on myself, so I'd really like to improve and reflect in a more positive way. As a psychology major, I have also learned a little bit about a variety of learning theories. I have basic knowledge about the different ways students learn, but would love to know more about the research behind these theories and how to use these theories when planning instruction. For example, will students learn more through a hands-on activity, through reading, or through a film? Is complex material best taught in a specific way? How do I adapt for students who learn differently?
I have so many more questions and topics that I'm interested in learning more about, and I'm excited to dive into this class and get started! I believe this class is going to be very beneficial, especially as I begin my internship in the fall. The whole goal of teaching is to help students grow their knowledge, and it's impossible to do so without first understanding how children learn, what motivates them to learn, how to assess their growth, understanding what methods are working or not working, adapting your instruction, and creating an environment conducive to learning. This class will touch on these aspects and give me opportunities to practice and grow my own knowledge, which I can only hope will help me feel more relaxed that first day I step into a classroom.
Glad to hear that you had a sense of relief during the first class--often times the opposite can be the case. That's something to consider with creating your classroom environment. You have a great series of questions, and I would encourage you to put them on a whiteboard or something, and keep them in your textbook as you read. It's like you have your goals, and you'll be reading with those purposes in mind.
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