After completing a teaching program and requirements, the next step is to apply for a teaching position. It is recommended to have a portfolio in place that way the school's administration can see the educational background and other activities. It is important for first year teachers to be prepared if selected. Preparations can be made by knowing the school, students, families, and the communities. Beginning teachers should organize the classroom and ask other teachers for advice. Throughout the first year, the teacher can benefit in attending developmental programs, learning from a mentor teacher, and getting involved with the community. It is also important to display and address that beginning teachers can work collaboratively and be able to accept advice and constructive criticism. By asking for help, being a teachable person, willing to take responsibilities, participate in professional activities, being friendly, and developing trusting relationships are some keys to help achieve goals. Teaching for the first time can be intimidating. However, if there is teacher efficacy and the belief in a philosophy of education, then INTASC standard 9 is something to keep in mind:
The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects
of his/her choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other
professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out
opportunities to grow professionally.
Good luck future educators!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Chapter 12: Technology, Teaching, and Learning
Technology is now a part of education reform. The ever-changing curricula must adapt to the changing world. The use of email and Internet are just a few ways that had made life a little easier. In order for teachers to make use of technology, they must possess technology literacy which is knowing the use of technology and the ability to access, operate, and apply learning to students. Since technology has arrived in schools, standards have been created for students. These standards are called the National Educational Technology Standards for Students which is available online at www.iste.org.
It is also important that the use of assistive technology is available for students with disabilities. Devices such as touch-screen computers, enlarged keyboards, voice synthesizers, and closed caption television are some tools that can be utilized.
Technology can be harmful to students if not properly educated about its uses. Teachers and students need to be aware of cyberbullying, plagiarism and other negative uses that may harm themselves and others. Working collaboratively with other teachers, school administration, and most especially parents of students with regard to technology use will promote responsibility. Therefore, INTASC standard 10 should be adopted by teachers:
The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies
in the larger community to support students' learning and well-bring.
It is also important that the use of assistive technology is available for students with disabilities. Devices such as touch-screen computers, enlarged keyboards, voice synthesizers, and closed caption television are some tools that can be utilized.
Technology can be harmful to students if not properly educated about its uses. Teachers and students need to be aware of cyberbullying, plagiarism and other negative uses that may harm themselves and others. Working collaboratively with other teachers, school administration, and most especially parents of students with regard to technology use will promote responsibility. Therefore, INTASC standard 10 should be adopted by teachers:
The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies
in the larger community to support students' learning and well-bring.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Chapter 11: Teaching the Curriculum
Teachers are bound by a school's established curricula. Before explicit curriculum was established in what is now a contemporary currulum, teachers had to create their own curricula. The contemporary curriculum involves reading, language arts, science, mathematics, health, physical education, and the arts. However, schools today continue to be reformed for overall improvement.
Teaching the curricula is not enough if there are no goals and objectives. Outcome-based education can be useful in obtaining results for mastery of certain aspects of curricula. Direct instruction can also be useful for teachers. They determine what students will learn and how will they learn by the use of lecture and demonstration. Another technique that may be benefitial is the nondirect instruction where students learn through their own experimentation, learning from other students, and cooperative learning through discovery and scaffolding.
Because curriculum varies from teacher to teacher, it is important to know what works in the classroom by applying knowledge to students in multiple lessons, integrating test preparation into instruction, by making connections across instruction, curriculum, and life; providing strategies to students, assist them to be critical thinkers, and lastly by engaging students to work collaboratively not only with their own peers but also with their teachers. With these features it is important to remember INTASC standard 4:
The teacher uses various instructional strategies to encourage students'
development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
Teaching the curricula is not enough if there are no goals and objectives. Outcome-based education can be useful in obtaining results for mastery of certain aspects of curricula. Direct instruction can also be useful for teachers. They determine what students will learn and how will they learn by the use of lecture and demonstration. Another technique that may be benefitial is the nondirect instruction where students learn through their own experimentation, learning from other students, and cooperative learning through discovery and scaffolding.
Because curriculum varies from teacher to teacher, it is important to know what works in the classroom by applying knowledge to students in multiple lessons, integrating test preparation into instruction, by making connections across instruction, curriculum, and life; providing strategies to students, assist them to be critical thinkers, and lastly by engaging students to work collaboratively not only with their own peers but also with their teachers. With these features it is important to remember INTASC standard 4:
The teacher uses various instructional strategies to encourage students'
development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
Chapter 10: Standards and Assessment: Their Impact on Teaching and Learning and Chapter
The standards for education is a tool for curriculum and to make sure what is taught matches the standards. The standards are the knowledge, concepts, and skills that students should know at each grade level. The impact on learning due to the standards affect teaching because of accountability. Everyone is accountable for the students learning including parents. I believe that parents play a big role whether or not the child chooses to or chooses not to learn. The administration of the school including teachers are tools to enhance the child's learning experience and hopefully the children will be able to reach their full potential at every grade level. Testing is part of accountability, however, that standard assessment is not catered to minority groups which actually affects the overall scores. However, teachers should not give up in achieving high scores for their students. Continue to expose children to other things by using different teaching techniques. I know it will take a tremendous amount of effort. This is why it is important to keep INTASC standard 8 in mind:
The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies
to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical
development of the learner.
The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies
to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical
development of the learner.
Chapter 9: Historical and Philosophical Influence on Teaching and Learning in America
America's education has changed over the years since colonial times. Although religion has greatly influenced the early colonial schools, education has been granted to all races, women, to every child with a disability and without. And lately, the NCLB (No Child Left Behind Act) assures that all children regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status, English language learners, and learning ability are entitled to education. Due to this act, the INTASC standard 3 applies to all teachers:
The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning
and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
In today's educational practice, there are six major educational philosophies that teachers need to be aware of. They are perennialism, essentialism, progressivism, social reconstructivism, humanism, and existentialism. These philosophies are useful to teachers who are still searching for their own philosophies of teaching. I believe that I can be an effective teacher, however, I am not able to limit myself with one philosophy. I believe that as time goes by, there will be a need to implement all six philosophies. Children change rapidly, be it attitude, way of thinking, interests, understanding, and values. Therefore, as a future teacher I need to bear in mind INTASC standard 2:
The teacher understands how children learn and develop, and can provide learning
opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.
The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning
and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
In today's educational practice, there are six major educational philosophies that teachers need to be aware of. They are perennialism, essentialism, progressivism, social reconstructivism, humanism, and existentialism. These philosophies are useful to teachers who are still searching for their own philosophies of teaching. I believe that I can be an effective teacher, however, I am not able to limit myself with one philosophy. I believe that as time goes by, there will be a need to implement all six philosophies. Children change rapidly, be it attitude, way of thinking, interests, understanding, and values. Therefore, as a future teacher I need to bear in mind INTASC standard 2:
The teacher understands how children learn and develop, and can provide learning
opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Chapter 7 and 8: The Politics of American Education and Education and School Law
The federal government, state government, intermediate agencies, and the local government play various roles in education. These governments play a vital role as far as governance and finance is concerned. Then the individual schools are governed by principals, assistant principals, administration, and the board of education who are responsible for implementing state regulations and policies, as well as implementing local policies. The principals and assistant principals are responsible for resources as well as supporting teachers and students. Then there are the teachers who manage the students and classroom. Teachers will continue to work collaboratively with the management of the principals and assistant principles in efforts to promote a better learning environment for the students, and to be able to adapt and accommodate as needed as it states in the INTASC standard 9:
The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects
of his/her choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals
in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow
professionally.
It is also important for current and future teachers to be aware of the legal rights and responsibilities as a teacher, know students' legal rights, and know parents' legal rights and responsibilities. The four sources of law are also important to know because of issues that may relate to freedom of speech, religion, desegregation, and discriminatory practices. These are the U.S. Constitution, Federal Laws, State Constitution and Laws, and Federal and State Court Decisions. Today's schools are integrated with different races and ethnic groups, it is important for teachers to know students are diverse in culture and in learning. Therefore, the teacher must be aware of INTASC standard 3:
The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning
and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects
of his/her choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals
in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow
professionally.
It is also important for current and future teachers to be aware of the legal rights and responsibilities as a teacher, know students' legal rights, and know parents' legal rights and responsibilities. The four sources of law are also important to know because of issues that may relate to freedom of speech, religion, desegregation, and discriminatory practices. These are the U.S. Constitution, Federal Laws, State Constitution and Laws, and Federal and State Court Decisions. Today's schools are integrated with different races and ethnic groups, it is important for teachers to know students are diverse in culture and in learning. Therefore, the teacher must be aware of INTASC standard 3:
The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning
and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Chapter 6: Partners in Learning: Parents, Families, and the Community
Parents, families, and the community are partners in learning and the ever-changing family structure influences parent involvement. To continue to have parents involved in their children's education, the federal government continues to enforce the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and family-centered programs have been established to help strengthen family units. Parent involvement establishes a better relationship with teachers. As it states in the INTASC standard 10:
The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents,
and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning
and well-being.
Teachers who know their student's family structure and continue to encourage their involvment in their education will most likely have the student improve in academics.
The community can be greatly involved with schools as collaborators, advocates, volunteers, and communicators to further address the need of parental involvement.
The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents,
and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning
and well-being.
Teachers who know their student's family structure and continue to encourage their involvment in their education will most likely have the student improve in academics.
The community can be greatly involved with schools as collaborators, advocates, volunteers, and communicators to further address the need of parental involvement.
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