Wednesday, August 24, 2011
My Vision Statement
As I reflect back on my personal experience in science education very few images come to mind. I blame this blurriness on the lack of solid or quality teaching in my science courses. I did not retain the information I learned nor connected it to real life situations which are two very important components in quality education. If I really strain my mind and look back at science a text book or two as well as solar system models come to mind. However, that is still not good enough. I plan on teaching science in a different, more interactive way. I want to focus on big ideas, spending quality time on one section at a time. I am a slow learner, I have to process and experience what I'm learning, therefore, from personal experience I know taking information and facts one step at a step will be beneficial. I also will use learning centers so my students are "hands-on". Quality education provides materials and the ability for students to physically and visually see problems unfold and answered. Experiments and demonstrations provide solid explanations. Next, communication and connections are crucial. For students to retain information, the problem itself has to be discussed multiple times and connected to other subjects and real life so it has importance. Never did assigning chapter readings and completing questions at the end teach me. To be an effective teacher requires the components above as well as adding challenge, humor, excitement, knowledge, and involvement into each lesson taught in the science classroom!
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Retaining information and making connections with what you're learning seem to be two very key components in a quality science education. I, too, agree with your statement about making science interactive for your students. I think it's really important for students to have the chance to interact with their peers, mentors, and with the material that they are learning.Your idea of making things "hands-on" ties directly to the idea of making science interactive. I agree when you say that when students have the opportunity to learn by physically dealing with materials, then they are more likely to see how things work. I think that by doing this, students will also become more engaged in the material and will be more likely to retain the information they have learned. Lastly, I think your addition of excitement and humor in the classroom are truly important.
ReplyDeleteLack of quality teaching - isn't it your job to learn? Do you believe it is the teachers job to make you learn? Is it there fault you don't remember? HMMM - curious - we should discuss this as a class. As a post, I'd like to see a little more about your past educational experiences. They are in there - somewhere. Good insight into your believes for your classroom.
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