EdWeb - "The Power of a Great Math Task"
This webinar goes over how to teach math. Often children can understand a concept but struggle to use that concept in a problem solving situation. They may also struggle looking at a math problem from a different angle. Often times in math classes, many students, especially the higher preforming students, will struggle because of this.
From this webinar I've learned:
Because students sometimes struggle understanding math words or concepts, they may be able to solve a math problem, but they often struggle explaining why that answer is correct. However, if you ask the child to show you how they got their answer or ask them to walk you through how they solved it, they will unintentionally tell you why their answer is correct.
Verbalizing their own thoughts or hearing their classmates' thoughts often will help students better understand these difficult concepts. Giving students time to think about the problem and talk about it with their peers will often benefit them. It can be hard to understand other people's thought processes; teachers must keep this in mind when a student looks at a problem from a completely different angle than the teacher.
Teachers need to be careful when they ask a student why they chose a certain question or how they found that answer. When a teacher asks "why," a student immediately assumes their answer is wrong, and they lose all their confidence. A teacher must be careful with their wording so that the student understands that the teacher just wants to hear their thought process.
I will use everything I learned in this webinar when I become a teacher. I will be patient with my students when they struggle with certain concepts. When they are struggling, I will slow the lesson down, hear students' thought processes, and try to look at it from their perspective.
Blog - "The Problem with Teaching Sophisticated Vocabulary"
In this blog, the creator of The Confident Teacher discusses the difficulties with teaching harder vocabulary to kids. He explains why it's hard for kids to understand, and he gives ways to help them.
From this blog I learned:
Kids have been misunderstanding sophisticated vocabulary since the beginning of time. It is a normal stage of growth that every kid will go through.
Kids often understanding dictionary definitions, especially when synonyms come up.
Playing different word games, especially with synonyms, is a creative and easy way to help kids learn and practice.
I will do deeper research to find more games, along with the ones in the blog, to help my future students develop a strong vocabulary. I will also be reasonable and gracious when one of my students misuses vocabulary instead of getting frustrated.
Link to "The Problem with Teaching Sophisticated Vocabulary"
Podcast - "Why Students Can't Stop Moving: The Neuroscience Behind a Student's Need to Move"
This podcast goes through the struggles children face when trying to pay attention and learn in class.
From this podcast, I learned:
Every child's brain works differently. Many children will need adjustments made to the way they're learning like flexible seating, fidget tools, or brain breaks.
Some children require movement to help them learn. They may seem like they are misbehaving, but that isn't true. They just can't learn as well if they have to sit still for hours at a time.
When a child takes a break from a lesson to move, their brain releases a calmness.
I will keep all of this in mind when I become a teacher. I will make sure to give my students a few brain breaks throughout the day, and I won't get upset when my students can't keep still.
Edutopia - "4 Simple Ways to Build Relationships With Your Students"
This article speaks about the relationships students have with their teachers, how those relationships affect those students, and how to strengthen those relationships.
From this I learned:
Only 71% of middle schoolers and 84% of high schoolers reported that they don't have a personal relationship with their teachers.
Having a relationship with their teacher will help a student be more open and willing to work.
A teacher must go out of their way to create one-on-one relationships with students by addressing them by name, talking to them individually, and paying attention to their lives outside of school.
I will keep all of this in mind when I become a teacher, and I will remember to go out of my way with my future students to make sure they feel heard. I will make sure to build a relationship with every kid that enters my classroom.
Link to "4 Simple Ways to Build Relationships With Your Students"
Social Media in Education - Twitter
Over the years Twitter has become more and more popular. It used to be only a way for people to post funny thoughts they have throughout the day, but it has become a hub for learning and a way to communicate to other people in your field. Twitter is a great way to get creative ideas, ask questions, and share experiences.
Twitter can be used to get information from other educators. Using simple hashtags can help you find other educators dealing with the same issues as you.
Instead of simply submitting their work to their teachers directly, when students use Twitter to share their thoughts and ideas, their classmates also get to see what they're thinking. This feature is also helpful because other educators who are not connected to this class can give feedback to the student's tweet.
Twitter can be a simple way for teachers to relay announcements to their students and their parents. This can come in handy as a quick reminder for upcoming events, especially when the parent needs to be involved but the child forgets to inform them!
I will use twitter as a hub for communication. I will post announcements for students and their parents, and I will ask students to tweet out their thoughts ao that they can give their classmates their feedback.
Social Media in Education - Tik Tok
Over recent years, Tik Tok has become one of the most popular social media apps. Originally, Tiktok was viewed as a distraction, but now teachers realize how helpful it can be in learning.
Teachers can use this app as an exciting way to get information out to students at home. Instead of sending boring notes, fun videos can be sent that will keep a child's attention better. It can also be used as a fun homework assignment. Instead of writing a paper, students can make silly videos to show their teacher that they understand the lesson.
When teachers are having trouble getting their message across, they can use videos made by other educators to help get a different perspective.
Videos used to be limited to 1 minute, but now they can be up to 3 minutes. This helps educators add more information into a video instead of having to cram a lot of information into a small amount of time.
I will use Tik Tok to keep my future students engaged and involved in the lesson. I will use this app to give my students a fun alternative to usual boring assignments, and I will use other educators' videos to get ideas on how to teach my students in more creative ways.