It is likely going to be viewed as unfortunate, but my views and opinions with using blogs to communicate to other teachers have largely not changed. However, after having used it for a year, it is nice to get inside the heads of other teachers and see their more personal comments and reflections. It has not benefited me or my teaching in any way, so far, other than to boost my confidence and support the mental mind-set of teaching that I am working to build. For these reasons, it is nice to correspond with Molly and Harrison, but those are the only two who have responded to my blogs.
As far as reflecting on my personal achievements via blogging goes, I do not really keep a blog, but a physical journal that I take when I go to my PDS. It would likely be more helpful if I "blogged" every day following my teaching experience at the PDS, but with work and classes, when I am online, it is to check email and/or complete an assignment and then I need to move on to the next thing until I fall asleep.
Substantive reflection can be used when specifics are given about a particularly effective or failed lesson and ideas are helped to provide alternatives. Multiple viewpoints are always helpful.. if meaningful feedback is given by one or more responders. Speaking of which, Molly, did you decide to do another Zumba lesson for your large group lesson? How else have you been able to engage your students in groups--large or small?
Regards to All,
Claire
Haha, I'm right there with you, Claire! My opinion also has not changed and I'm pretty sure it hasn't helped prepare me to be a teacher. Also, I don't have anyone from my PDS commenting on my blog, I don't think they even know about it haha but honestly, they're busy, I doubt they really want to take the time to read a blog about me!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm not sure what I'm going to do for my large group lesson just yet, but I would like to maybe do a culture of Spain lesson. I think that in foreign language classes, memorization of vocabulary is stressed too much and we lose focus of one of the most important things which in my opinion is culture. Also, I don't spend TOO much time in front of the classroom, usually I walk around and help with assignments and sometimes I go over the new vocab with the and things like that so being engaging hasn't been a big stress of mine. However, I know that in FL classes, the more games and fun things you do, the more they pay attention haha!
Well, I hope everything is going well with you! I'll see you on Tuesday! : )