Course Reflections

EDUC 1231 - Professional Dimensions I

This course examines teaching and learning processes with reference to psychological, sociological and philosophical influences in contemporary society, addressing the concept of personal worldview and its impact on classroom environments. The course introduces students to professional responsibilities and prompts students to develop ethical and professional attitudes, behaviour, language and conduct. The field experience will have an individual learner focus.

EDUC 1233 - Professional Dimensions II:

In the second semester of this class I learned a lot of important facts about becoming an effective teacher. Through the lectures and reading groups I attained knowledge about classroom management, school funding, community spirit, and inclusive education. I was able to take my learning from this course and apply it to my field experience. I learned about the impact of race, socioeconomic class, gender, and other diverse classifications that affect institutional education. I had the opportunity to take part in weekly field experience, a school tour, and I was also asked to create and teach a lesson plan.

EDUC 2371 - Language Development & Literacy

This course taught me a lot about how important literacy was and how language develops. I learned about the benefits of balanced literacy and how effective small group instruction and assessment is for beginning readers. As field experience was hindered due to COVID-19, I had the opportunity to meet with a teacher every week to discuss my learnings and connect them to her own ELA practice.

EDUC 2103 - Teaching ELA

In 2103, I gained a wide range of knowledge regarding how to teach ELA across K-6. I was intrigued to learn how effective the Program of Studies is when creating lesson plans that ensure curricular targets are being met. The course was hands-on, allowing me to explore resources and teaching methods in real-time alongside fellow teacher candidates.

EDUC 2321 - Education & Individual Development

Perhaps one of my favorite classes so far, EDUC 2321 allowed me to explore the many factors that influence a child's ability to learn and grow. I studied a number of motivation theories that even allowed me to determine what type of learner I was. EDUC 2321 answered a lot of questions that I had prior to taking the course; how do I ensure a safe and fair learning environment for all? How does a child's relationship with their family and teachers affect their learning? How do I address poor behavior in my classroom, allowing the space to be as effective as possible?

EDUC 2375 - Effective Assessment

One of my biggest worries as a teacher candidate is ensuring that I can create fair, unbiased assessments that allow me to examine how well my students are learning. EDUC 2375 made me feel a lot more comfortable with this. In this course, I learned about a number of different assessment styles and which style is best for the results I require. One key takeaway for me is formative assessment; which is assessing my students as I go along, not just at the end of a unit in order to give a grade. Another big takeaway is the Backward Design method; starting a lesson with assessment in mind and working backward towards what my curricular aims are and how I plan on teaching them.

EDUC 3104 - Arts Integration in Elementary Education

This course introduces the principles and practices of literary analysis by examining the narrative features of selected works of prose, poetry, or drama. Students will apply close reading techniques to a range of narratives in order to develop foundational skills in writing and thinking about literature critically.

My biggest takeaway from this course is how important, yet neglected fine arts is in a number of schools. Aside from this, the fine arts curriculum in Alberta dates back to the 1980s, leaving no room for an Indigenous voice to be heard. This course taught me how to effectively integrate fine arts throughout various subjects. 

EDUC 3106 - Program of Studies and Curriculum Instruction in Teaching Science

This course provides an introduction to the teaching and learning of Science in elementary schools. The course will focus on instruction, planning and facilitating learning experiences, integrating curriculum, creating and utilizing resources and developing assessment strategies to meet students’ needs.

A wow moment for me in this course was how effective an inquiry-based approach to science is as opposed to a traditional approach. I learned that science education needs to be approached hands-on with plenty of room for student discussion in order for students to become engaged, lifelong learners. 

EDUC 3108 - Program of Studies and Curriculum Instruction in Teaching Mathematics

This course explores knowledge and skills required to implement programs of studies in teaching Mathematics in Elementary schools. The course will address a range of approaches to develop instruction, plan units of study, integrate curriculum, develop resources and assessment strategies to meet students’ needs.

This course really helped me understand why I not only struggled in math as a young student, but continuously lacked interest in the subject. Our professor showed us how to make math fun and easy to understand by using a variety of games and hands-on methods. 

EDUC 3326 - Understanding Current and Emerging Pedagogical Technologies

This course provide an overview of technological influences in education. It is designed to assist prospective teachers in critically examining current and evolving applications of technology relevant to the teaching and learning process.

In this course, I learned just how important technology is in education. With technology becoming increasingly common among adults and youngsters, it is crucial to integrate technology into classroom learning. This course also provided me with several great online resources that will help me teach concepts such as coding and that make subjects like physics and chemistry more tangible and understandable. Before this class, I never knew how much technology can benefit a learner. 

EDUC 4107  - Program of Studies and Curriculum Instruction in Teaching Social Studies 

This course explores the knowledge and skills required to implement the PoS in teaching Social Studies in Elementary Education in Alberta. The course addressed a range of approaches to developing instruction, planning units of study, integrating curriculum, develop resources and assessment strategies to meet students’ needs.

EDUC  4351 - Indigenous Perspectives in Education 

 This course prepared me to engage with Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing and being. The course relates to the teaching and learning contexts. The course included an in-depth examination of decolonization, indigenization, and reconciliation.

EDUC 4361 - Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Classrooms 

During the course, I explored various instructional strategies and approaches to promote and maintain a healthy and caring inclusive learning environment. I applied principles of effective assessment, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Response to Intervention (RTI), and differentiated instruction during my EDUC 4030 practicum placement. The course also allowed me to examine the unique characteristics of students with diverse learning needs in the context of inclusive classrooms in Alberta.

EDUC 4201 - Integrating Ideas, Values, and Praxis

During the capstone course, I engaged in critical reflection of significant issues and experiences that I encountered throughout my education, general education, schooling, elective courses, field experiences, and practica. The main emphasis was on developing a professional learning plan and a school-based inquiry based on my reflections.

EDUC 4030 - Practicum II

During my practicum, I focused on various aspects of the teaching profession, such as professional responsibilities, planning for learning, facilitating learning, assessment, and classroom environment. I actively participated in a weekly seminar as a requirement of the practicum. Throughout the practicum, I gradually progressed from being involved in 50% of the teaching process to achieving 100% involvement for nearly ten weeks.

HUMN 2219 - Ancient Greece

This course focused on the Ancient Greek world from 800 BCE - 323 BCE. I learned a lot about the different states and their approach to religion, education, politics, government, art, architecture, philosophy, warfare, and science. I found this course engaging because it allowed me to see a way of life that could be so similar yet different in so many ways compared to the modern world. I was able to compare the education of Athenians and Spartans to that of a modern day Canadian student.

RELS 2279 - Buddhism

In this course I learned how Buddhism developed and flourished in many different parts of the world over a number of different time periods. The main topics were early Buddhism, Mahayana, and Tibetan Vajrayana.

ARTH 1103 - The History of Art: Renaissance to the Present: 

This class exposed me to content that I was greatly unfamiliar with. Not only did we learn about art from many different time periods, we also learned how the state of government, religion, and society affected the art during these times. I believe that a course like this broadened my worldview and allowed me to see things from the eye of a visual artist who is under strict guidelines.

HIST 1103 - Europe Since 1500:

This year I decided to challenge myself by taking this course. Prior to this course, I had very little knowledge on European history. I learned about famous leaders, the decisions they made, and how those decisions shaped the society that I live in today. I also learned how to write in Chicago style which means that I can now write papers in Chicago, MLA, and APA!

PHIL 1103 - Philosophy: Sex and Love

This course provides an introduction to philosophy through an exploration of philosophical questions about sex and love.

RELS 1103 - World Religions: Eastern

This course is an introduction to Eastern religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto.

ENGL 1151 - The Art of Story: An Introduction to Literature

This course introduces the principles and practices of literary analysis by examining the narrative features of selected works of prose, poetry, or drama. Students will apply close reading techniques to a range of narratives in order to develop foundational skills in writing and thinking about literature critically.

GNED 1404 - Writing about Images

GNED 1401 - Writing for Academic Success

GNED 1202 - Texts and Ideas

GNED 1203 - Cultural Perspectives on Science

ANTH 1103 - Introduction to Culture Anthropology

CRWT 1117- Introduction to Writing Poetry

UGST 1001 - Effective Learning in the Undergraduate Context