Week One Introduction with Diagram and Reflection

Hi! I’m Madeline Leslie. I’m a sophomore from Zionsville, Indiana studying to become an Elementary Education teacher. I’ve wanted to be a teacher for a very long time now and I’m so excited that I’m actually working towards that goal right now. In my free time I love to hang out with my friends, exercise, and volunteer at the local Boys and Girls Club. I’m so excited to start this class and to final gain some real classroom experience. I think it’s going to be a great semester.



Diagram:
Big Idea: Learning happens by children wanting to explore deeper into things that begin to interest them.
As a teacher, you need to provide hands on activities that can allow children to discover and learn new things.

Reflection:

I grew up in a very small elementary school. The entire 4th grade class consisted of less than 30 people. With that being said, because there were such a small number of students, my class and I were able to do a lot of hands on activities without it being too overwhelming for our teacher. For example, to learn about stalagmites and stalactites we went and visited Marengo Cave and saw them in person. When we learned about the old days and pioneers, we hosted a Pioneer day where all students dressed up as Pioneers and we learned how to cook over a fire, how to milk a goat and how to weave baskets. Then finally, when we learned about Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad, we reenacted the Underground Railroad to learn what it was like to be a part of it. As you can see, I grew up learning by doing. When I became involved with an activity I was much more apt to wanting to learn about a specific topic. That is why I believe students learn best by being provided with hands on activities that can allow them to discover and want to learn new things. 

Toni Self: Big Idea Reflection

Big Idea: Humans learn through repeated visual, kinesthetic and auditory lessons.

 

 

 

Activity: The teacher presents the lesson on the chalk board (visual and auditory) then students do hands on project.  For example, teacher writes out how to make a batch of cookies and leads the students through each step.  Then students are given independence to do it themselves.

Reflection:

My big idea is that humans learn through visual, kinesthetic and auditory lessons.  Basically I think that students cannot fully grasp and contain information when they just listen to a boring lecture and take notes.  Not only is this a lazy way of teaching but it also lacks any creativity.  A boring lecture will not only loose the attention of the students but will take away from lesson.  I truly think if the teacher is not excited about the lesson, neither will the students.  There are very few people who can listen to a lecture and then remember most of what was discussed.  By involving the three different types of teaching, it reinforces and reviews the information.  I think students need to be engaged in these three types of teaching to really comprehend and contain a lesson.    In my experience, when I have been taught in these three ways I have an easier time remembering and reviewing the information.  My example for this was very basic, but it does explain my big idea.  A student writes out on the chalk board how to make the cookies (visual), then she leads the students through each step and answers questions (auditory), and lastly she gives the student the opportunity to make a batch of cookies themselves (kinesthetic).  This gives the students a chance to put in to practice what they have learned.  This lesson would relate to my big idea by covering each area that I believe students need to fully understand a lesson. 

Megan Cox

Hi! My name's Megan Cox and I'm a Junior here at Indiana University. I am currently studying for the Teaching All Learners Program and hope to be enrolled this fall. Along with that, I am also studying for a minor in dance. My older sister, who is one of three, was born with Down Syndrome and that is one of the reasons that led me to want to teach Special Education. Whether is was during my many hours of volunteering at Special Olympics or just hanging out with the students who I peer tutored, I've always been interested in that field of work. During my time here at IU, I am part of the Indiana Red Steppers dance team and am also an active member of my sorority, Theta Phi Alpha. In my free time, you can find me waiting on tables here at our local Bubs in Bloomington. 

 

First Model

In my mind, students learn in many different ways. Three ways that I feel they learn best is by reading, watching and listening.  When all ways of learning are used in the same setting, students become much more engaged and therefor, the students have a higher chance of retaining the information.

Activity

One activity that could incorporate all three learning styles would be an online learning game.  Students listen to the activity, read the instructions and questions, all while watching a computer screen.  Because the activity is somewhat considered a "game", students have fun and are that much more engaged in the activity.  An online learning game would efficiently help students learn and keep them more focused and alert to what they're doing.  The game would be enjoyable for the students and would make them want to learn more!

Week 1: Introduction, Learning Model, and Reflection

Introduction:

    

 

         My name is Madilyn Welton and I'm a sophomore at Indiana University. I am studying the Teaching All Learners Program, which is a double major in elementary and special education. I am also considering a minor in Spanish. I would love to travel around the world and teach to less fortunate kids. Even if I were to teach in the US, I would like to teach in low-income areas to help children who are having difficulties. I had some teachers in elementary school who were really there for me through rough times and made a big difference in my life. This is what motivates me to make a difference for other kids. I am a firm believer that education is power and teachers can make a real difference.

 

Diagram: 

 

Big Idea: Learning grows when kids have fun. What they have learned will stick in their head better when they associate it with something they have interest in. 

 

Activity: A teacher takes her students outside to teach because she knows her small children like to play outside. They can then associate learning with the fun times they have playing outdoors.

 

 

 

Reflection:

       My big idea for my diagram was that learning happens and grows when kids connect it to having fun. In my experience with school (and life in general), I have found that it is easier to remember things when it connects to something I already have an interest in, and doing something interesting is considered fun. For example, I still remember stories that were read to me from years ago because they sparked my interest. Also, when I was younger I used to make up songs to help me remember things for class. The songs were fun and so I was able to remember things a long way down the road I would have never memorized otherwise because I could link it to a fun song in my head. Taking interest in what you are doing inevitably sparks your brain to pay more attention and have more motivation to process whatever it is you are supposed to be learning. This idea is standard for anyone of any age, but especially to younger kids. They have a hard time having the self-discipline to sit down and learn when it’s not necessarily what they feel like doing. However, if teachers can plan their lessons to be directed toward the children’s interest, kids won’t need to force themselves to do anything, because they’ll enjoy it.

The activity I created was simple, a teacher deciding to take her class outside to learn. I think it is safe to say that when kids think of outside, they think of fun. It’s where they have recess, the best time of their school day! Therefore, I think when a teacher decides to take their students outside, it automatically sparks more energy and excitement needed to learn. Almost any subject could be taught outside if the teacher is creative enough. For example, pretend like the teacher wants to teach a math lesson on division. The class could play “clump.” This game requires students to run around freely and then when the teacher yells out a certain number, they must quickly clump together in a group with that many people. The teacher must shout out a number that is not divisible by the number of students so that there will be some left out and then those students will be out. After each round the class can count how many groups of that number they were able to form and how many students were left out (the remainder). The game then continues until there is only two people left and they are the winners. This is just one example of what a class can do outdoors. This activity relates to my big idea because it is getting kids to have fun and connecting it with learning.

 

Toni Self

 

Hello Everyone!

My name is Toni Self and I am a sophmore studying Early Childhood Education.  I transferred to IU last semester from a small private school.  I am from Fairland, Indiana which is located on the southeast side of Indianapolis.  I have two older siblings: one is a Chick-fil-a manager and the other is a RN.  They both live in Columbus, OH leaving their baby sister with the parents.  My mom is a nurse practitioner at IU Health in downtown Indianapolis.  My dad is a business man for a chemical company. 

 

 

First semester of college I had this grand idea that I wanted to be a wedding planner, but I was still unsure.  So then I took a career test and it made everything clear.  It said that since I really wanted to be a mother one day and since I love children that I should go into teaching. I absolutely love my major now! I am very excited to be a teacher one day and I am very excited for this field experience.

 

 

 

Robin's 1st model for learning

As a teacher, it's important to appeal to as many learning styles as possible. Perhaps reading about a subject in class and discussing it is enough for some but others might need more than this. In fact, most kids probably will need more in order for the information to really "stick".  I think the most effective model for learning will have something for every type of learner and should push students to further their knowledge and think critically. Teachers should create opportunities for both individual and group thinking. The most effective educator will have a curriculum flexible to the interests and findings of the student. He or she should be able to guide learning experiences without dictating. This can be done through instigated and guided discussion matched with stimulation and hopefully inspiration (my favorite word).

Use the example of a boy learning to fish.

Observing and analyzing a problem.

Here the boy watches an elder fish.They might also actively discuss what they are doing to address aural and oral learning. Using examples is one way to make connections in the mind so that the information less likely to be lost. In a classroom the teacher has many possible ways to introduce a subject. This might be reading and reflecting individually and or collaboratively on the subject. Later though, the students need some way to explore this subject outside the pages of a book.

Exploration

Critical thinking happens here to solve problems first hand.  

I have two photos here to illustrate that exploration of a topic can be guided by the teacher but should not undermine the student’s unique perception. There is nothing like “learning the hard way”  The most effective way is having the freedom to explore one's interests. One way for a teacher to have loose guidance would be to ask the student to create something from his/her findings even if its just a couple sentences to share. Which brings us to analysis.

Analysis and Questioning

Again every student has a unique contribution to discussion. However the teacher must guide discussion and analysis though questioning in order to bring it home for the students and wrap up the experiences. I emphasize QUESTIONING  here because it’s important to bring them to the destination rather than point straight at it. Questions might also open new doors for further learning.

Critical thinking happens here to further learning with new questions or problems based on student’s interests and experiences.

 

 

Robin Stroud

Hi everyone!

I'm Robin; I have lived in Bloomington my whole life. Graduated from Bloomington High School South in 2008. I volunteered often in High School at several elementary schools, Wonderlab, Bradford Woods, and a horse stable for disabled kids and adults. I knew I wanted to be a teacher my senior year of high school. Now, I'm still working on my undergraduate degree except I have a whole new challenge! I'm a new mother. I have a one year old son named Dayln. He is the light at the end of my tunnel. I cant wait to graduate college and prove to him that hard work pays off! I want him to grow up already knowing what took me some time to figure out: that education is both a privilege and duty to oneself. I hope my next two years at Indiana University will turn me into the professional educator I have always dreamed to be.  

The Big Idea: Week One

Hello Everybody, my name is Andra Winslow, I am a transfer student from Ivy Tech Community College and looking forward to being a junior at IU Bloomington this fall.  I am currently studying to be an elementary school teacher but as undecided as I can be it could easily change I just know I love being around children and watching them grow and develop seems pretty neat to me!

A few facts about me, I come from a family of 4 sisters and a brother all from the same two parents, I love animals especially birds and different kinds of dogs. I currently am a hostess at the Cracker Barrel up here in Bloomington,IN, have been there for almost a year now.

Something Happens, We watch and reflect on it, and we think about it, we take action. Learning happens best when people are actively involved in their own learning, when they can draw on their own experiences, where they connect thoughts with their feelings through not just the student and teacher but the student, teacher, and parents all working actively to find a happy medium in which different children learn better in different ways.  I felt as a child I learned best through hands on experience, having the teacher conduct an experiment while we watched and then got the opportunity to try and do the experiment ourselves. I have never been one to just read the materials I prefer visual aided props.

Introduction Post

About Me

My name is Nolan Duffey.  I grew up in Zionsville, Indiana, which is about 15 minutes northwest of Indianapolis.  Some of my favorite things to do are camping/hiking/anything outdoors, playing sports, reading, going to amusement parks, and playing guitar.  I also love my summer job of being a camp counselor.  The past two summers I have been a counselor at a camp in northern Wisconsin called Fort Wilderness.  It has been such a great experience and has taught me so many things about working with kids.  It was working at camp that caused me to change my major from Business to Teaching all Learners.  So far, I have really loved my classes and being able to learn new and exciting things.  I am also really looking forward to field experience this semester.  It will be such a great time for learning.  That is a little about me and what I like to do.

REFLECTION
Big Idea:  People are eager to learn and expand their knowledge.

As teachers we should be excited about teaching and present the topics in a way that is relevant to the students so they will be excited as well. 

Week 1 Post

Hello! My name is Mariah Highbaugh and I am currently in my Junior year here at IU studying elementary education. I am from Fishers Indiana which is north of Indianapolis. I have a total of 5 siblings; 2 brothers and 3 sisters and I am the 2 oldest. I am currently employed at a daycare here in Bloomington and I love it. Although I work with children a lot smaller than I will be in the classroom, it is still a joy! I think my interest in becoming a teacher started in the spring semester of my Freshman year, where I was taking a career development class. I have always loved children and knew I wanted to work with them, but teacher never crossed my mind until the end of that class. I am leaning more toward teaching the grades K-3 but I am open to 4-6 grade as well. I look forward to the field experience in the class and seeing first hand what it is like being in a classroom teaching.

                This model illustrates the way that I think children best learn. I think that through personal experiences, students are able to learn. The little girl on the left represents a student. The globe pointing to her eyes shows that each person sees the world differently and that the way that they view it helps them learn because of that they are seeing. Things like the way their families are modeled, the school they go to, the community are a part of, etc. are all ways that each student can personally see the world. The baseball bat and glove pointing to her hands represents that activities and experiences that they take part in personally. This would be like hands on things such as sports, work, school experiences, etc. All these things combined will produce knowledge for these students. That is what the arrow pointing down on her head represents. Everyone can experience things in different ways, either personally (hand and baseball bat) or second hand by seeing and watching others (world and hand) but through these experiences, they are gaining knowledge.

                I think that teachers can provide this type of environment for the students by allowing them to experience learning. The picture on the bottom right represents the students looking at the globe and visually seeing it, but also experiencing it on her own, hands on by getting up close in personal. The teacher is there to guide the student, help the students, and feed them information along the way, but ultimately it is the student that is learning on her own. Am activity such as a learning station would be a great example of this.