I want to provide every student with the proper education they deserve. Students deserve access to materials, technology, and anything else they may need to succeed in their education. I want to influence students to become leaders in society, and create well-rounded opinions as they grow into the age of adulthood. I want to create a classroom that is full of new ideas and collaborations.
Following the state learning standards for the class I will teach, I want to bring in technology to help guide me in delivering those learning requirements for students. Instead of lecturing all class, I want to create an engaging learning enviornment so students don't immediately forget the information provided to them. I will follow these standards to ensure students are learning everything they need to for final exams. I want to allow group work, primarily jigsaw activities for primary sources to make the material more engaging. They will be able to learn from each other, rather than a teacher telling them what they need to know. Each person in the group will have to pull their own weight, and relay information to the rest of their group.
Technology is a great tool for learning, which I am quickly coming to terms with. Technology should be used only if it will improve the delivery of a lesson. It will be used to give quizzes, play educational games, and watch videos relating to our topic. I also would love to video chat with historians or museums about a topic we are discussing in class, and bringing history to life, (through technology of course). This will be more engaging for students so they can actually talk to an expert in the time period we are discussing. Technology has times when it needs to go if it becomes a distraction instead of a tool.
I would like to design my classroom in a way that will benefit my students best. I think that flexible seating options in a group setting would be good for my students. I also would like to provide my students with white boards at all tables. This would be good for taking notes while analyzing documents, when they need extra space to think things out, and allow them to all work as a group and jot down ideas when they need. I will assign their groups weekly, giving every one the chance to be at a "flexible seating" area, and collaborate with new people every week instead of being in the same groups every week. In the flexible seating options, I would like to include different kinds of chairs, beanbags, couches, etc., to keep students comfortable in their learning enviornment.