Standard 2 - Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge –The competent teacher has in-depth understanding of content area knowledge that includes central concepts, methods of inquiry, structures of the disciplines, and content area literacy. The teacher creates meaningful learning experiences for each student based upon interactions among content area and pedagogical knowledge, and evidence-based practice
AEDU 311 Artifact: Student Interview
Rationale-
Working directly with a student to build rapport is an efficient way to establish trust and promote a positive learning environment. Understanding that no two students are the same requires ample time to get to know your students on a personal level. This can be done in variety of ways and different techniques will resonate with the array of students. A student interview puts the primary focus on one individual student and allows them to express their thoughts in a comfortable setting. It shows the student that you care about their interest and overall success. In turn, the answers the student provides will allow greater access to their educational psyche. Asking questions offers a way for an educator to gain insight for future techniques, concepts, and activities that are best suited for individual students.
Standard Connection-
2A) understands theories and philosophies of learning and human development as they relate to the range of students in the classroom;
Self-Evaluation-
The student interview offered me a different aspect to education. I felt that I was the student and they were the educator. This concept was not wrong. As an educator, we can lose sight of our own learning because we are focused on teaching. Each student has a plethora of experience, knowledge, and their own philosophy (whether they know it or not). We can learn a lot from our students and taking the time to get to know them is going to build a strong, successful learning environment that everyone will benefit from. The answers came more natural and the atmosphere was relaxed. I feel this brought out genuine answers from the students and not answers they thought I wanted to hear. I would like to compose a series of questions to have in my toolbox and allow the student to review them before the interview. This will create an opportunity for them to practice interview skills for the foreseeable future.
Math Methods: Mathematics Activity Center: NCTM Standards & Reflection
Rationale-
Establishing connections offers the learner to participate in a fun, meaningful learning experience. Designing a mathematics activity center connected to the popular video-game, Minecraft, gave students a unique lesson that helped them understand major concepts, principles and theories that are aligned with Illinois State Standards. Collaborating with my peers has taught me several, different ideas that I made note of to assist me in future lessons. Activity centers take a step away from the traditional style of teaching and offer the learners a unique approach to understanding the concepts of the specified disciplines. Understanding the different methods from colleagues will expand your horizon when processing one's own inquiry.
Standard Connection-
2B) understands major concepts, assumptions, debates, and principles; processes of inquiry; and theories that are central to the disciplines;
Self-Evaluation-
I have never been one who would say I enjoyed doing math. I never hated it but feared it because it did not come natural to me. This assignment had changed my entire perspective I had since my time in grade-school. This helped me think outside the box and understand that math can be exciting to learn given the proper environment. Taking something that is well-known to the population and turning it into academia can bring great participation from the students. I used to think of it as a way to trick the students but ultimately it is a way to connect to their level of understanding. The game Minecraft is mathematics in a true form. Building, collecting, losing, and earning are major concepts in math and in order to succeed in the game, one must understand them. I would narrow my focus the next time I use this method and focus on one concept at a time. This could be used in a unit based around addition/subtraction that is central to the discipline.