Blog 2 Posting (Based on prompt)

I am pretty sure I figured out how to fill out the tutor forms the way that the program wants me to... and even if not all of them are completed to the standards, I did multiple. :)  I do appreciate your offer to help with that, Molly.

 

My relationship with the students is a good one.  I can talk to them easily and they give feedback on their opinion about assignments and activities readily.  A couple of them seem to take more effort from the instructor to catch on, but there are 2 girls in both classes that do catch on very quickly.  Sometimes I worry that they will become bored with the instruction, but they usually don't seem to have too much time after the assignments and they do not seem to mind.  What do you think would be good strategies to push these students a little more without straining the other students too much?  They are helpful in assisting the other students in group work.

 

Asking questions and having a friendly, open demeanor has helped me to create relationships with the students in the classes I've observed.  How have you been able to get close to your students?

Blog 2

So I am not really sure what to post about.  Things with my PDS are going well.. while I am still unsure of the gas, I am trying not to stress about it anymore.  I'm sure something will work out eventually.

I enjoy spending time in front of the classroom with the students.. while my Education classes are frustrating, the time in front of the students at North Marion are keeping me inspired to keep at this.  It's not that the assignments are difficult or anything like that, the stress just comes from the inconsistencies with requirements for different teachers and the sometimes very ambiguous requirements for assignments.  Is this a concern for you as well?  Everyone that I have talked to so far, in our year throughout the program, shares this concern... some much more forcefully.  For me, this is a very big lesson in trying not to stress over what I do not know.  It just stinks because it seems like no matter how hard I try, I miss some point of the assignment or was completely unaware of another.  I just wish everything could be a little more clear. 

To anyone in the Tutor year reading, good luck with everything!  Please ask if you have questions, I know I've asked more than my fair share and I'm still coming up with more stumbling blocks.  I think part of it just takes knowing that we aren't alone in this, you know?

Blog 1: Blogging Possibilities

Hello,

     I really do not participate in blogs and do not follow any conversations on blogs regularly or irregularly.  I do not usually find them interesting or engaging because typically more reliable information can be found elsewhere on the web--such as Digg.com, Livestrong.com, etc.  Blogs, from what I understand, seem to be a type of online diary.  For social interaction or to seek some one else's opinion, I can go to a friend or to the people, in person or over the phone if need be, around me. Thus, I have never used or accessed a blog before this class.

     To be blunt, I do not intend to use a blog as a teacher.  The only positive aspect I can think of to use a blog is to use it with the mind-set that it will be like an open forum for others to read and give input on the portion of your life that is now displayed on the internet.  Personally, I would much rather go to some one else in person--or over the phone if I must-- to ask questions or to talk to about occurrences in my life.  I am being taught how to research questions and obtain information in much more effective ways.

     If anything, a blog could help facilitate an online, group research question that the people on the email list can assess and discuss in between classes or on breaks. I feel that this would be a distraction to the students, over-all, though.  I feel as though if people spend more and more time online, they tend to spend less time with students at a relate-able level.  If the instructor were to wait until after the school day ended, that person runs the risk of losing time on the computer and becoming behind on paperwork--homework, etc. and/or distancing themselves from their families or friends after the school day.


     I feel that people in general should focus on becoming more presentable and personable to others in ways that exclude online facilitation units because these programs can become consuming for some and relationships that are not supported online are weakened.  Blogs can be good if one can not easily or readily ask someone or a group of people a question or for advice, but as far as relating to people goes, I would rather handle situations and assignments in person. 


Sorry for the criticism, this is how I feel.  Have a great Friday!

~Claire