Task 5 Deeper Thinking Domain 2

This scavenger hunt was fun. I not only found information that can help me now, but it lead to me thinking about new things and more resources. While reading the article “Connecting to the 21st Century Student” by Josh McHugh, I realized my dilemmas are common place. The disengaged student wants to learn but the approach to getting to her potential is blocked by technology. My fear of technology and losing control is discussed but it may be the obstacle that must be hurdled to get today’s students. Security blocks to websites have been used, but cyber bullying may erupt in classroom blogs. I want to be more tech-friendly but I need more practice. I have used moodle with fellow teachers, but as a classroom tool is something different. Dyknow vision software is something I like to research. If every student had a computer then reading books online would make things wonderful, but I live in the real world.

A few videos I watched seemed to be directed toward Fred Jones’ Tools of Teaching. This must be a heck of teaching tool because a lot of teachers recommend it. A freedom writer project was popular. For elementary teachers I found an approach that worked, just not for high school teachers. Using a popular prop and rewarding good or positive behavior by letting the student hold it or take it home. Of course rewards and tokens were implemented as well. It seemed that teachers used whatever they could find and molded it together to make it work.

The blogs were kind of cool because I found one where our problems of classroom management crossed our northern border. A Canadian teacher was befuddled on how to keep a class managed when in small groups because it was mandated that group work be apart of a teacher’s lesson. Once her attention was diverted, a group would act up. A suggestion was posed of having a second teacher or aid help. Another tip was to assign more detailed duties so students were not acting up.

A poor student teacher faced the reality of having her students not listen to her. She took them to a computer lab; they worked, but left the lab a mess. She attempted to scold them without raising her voice, no luck, and had a weekend to deal with the reality of frustrations and second thoughts. She implemented a seating chart and as of her last post, she is doing better.

On edutopia.com, there is a blog developed for teachers to vent and help each other for classroom management. Just go to the website, type in Betty Ray under blogs, hopefully you can link to it. Cool how teachers have support for each other.

All of this helps me focus on the matter of what I need to do to improve. I do not feel as incompetent, other teachers have and are going through the same problems. I truly feel if the classroom is properly managed, then the students will learn, great example is Garcia's testimonial on Fred Jones. Finding Jones’ Tools of Teaching would really help and developing lessons that are building blocks to an end with the students helping to lead the way.

For my inquiry plan I want to try and focus on two things: group work and letting students gain control of their education, at least for a few days and lessons and managing of the shot clock (class period). I am getting excited about UK and march madness.

This task made me realize I have to trust myself and try new things. Fearing the noise of the class can not stop me from trying to engage more students.

Where I found articles, videos and blogs?
Article: edutopia.org: “Connecting to the 21st Century Student” by Josh McHugh
Video: teachertube.org: typed in classroom management and found videos titled “Reward and Tickets”, “SD test scores improve”, “Fred Jones Tools for Teaching for classroom management”
Blog: blogsearch.google.com: twowritingteachers.wordpress.com