TP-6

As I am reflecting on my last teaching practice, I am identifying some of my weaknesses that I have to work upon in order to become an effective teacher. One of the most important skills seems to be lacking, communication. I am finding it a bit hard to communicate with the students. Before I enter the class, I have lot of things in my mind, things which I have to do or say, but then I find it a bit hard to surpass the communication barrier between me and my students.

When I was doing the observations, I could immediately spot out methods and techniques that in my opinion could have been delivered in a different approach. However, there is a difference between observing and criticizing, and implementing the best approach possible. Thus, I have to work upon these skills to improve the way I communicate and deliver knowledge to my students in the best way possible.

Daniela

TP3 self evaluation

Sometimes you think that what you did was good, until someone puts in the picture other alternatives that you could and should have done. And this was what happened to me. Looking at the lesson plan, it seemed perfect but reflecting on things that I should have included, made me aware of how much time and thinking should be spent on organizing and structuring a lesson plan. During the lesson,i planned a quiz and it went as I was expecting, but if I had to do it again, I will change lot of things. First of all, I would consider the idea that the students themselves do the questions to be give to their friends, instead of me doing all the work. This way, it would be the students who would be doing the lesson. Moreover, I should have written the questions on a presentation rather than just reading them. This way the students would have been able to read the question themselves and maybe using pictures or animation can also be a trigger to motivate the students more to participate during the game.Regarding the time spent on the quiz, I am now realizing that it was way too long. I should have divided the time and instead of doing one activity, doing two or even starting something new. Even looking from the perspective of the students. I think that staying for a long time, in the same place makes you feel bored and thus loosing motivation. Although the students participated throughout the whole time, I think that doing something different would have been better. These evaluations are helping me to improve on my teaching skills since I am reflecting on my weaknesses and on those things that could go better and therefore, reflecting is helping me to be a better teacher. Take care, Daniela xoxo

TP 3 - Self Evaluation

Hello, During today's TP I reflected upon the importance of monitoring students one by one. Sometimes, while I was doing it, I was thinking that monitoring each student may prove to be timely and less effective; however, having shy students asking questions and clarifying certain concepts helped me realise that individual monitoring helps a lot to relate with the quite shy students; it helps you create a relationship of respect with the students. Furthermore, having students working with the NXT robots on the floor, although it might give the impression that they're wasting time and playing, is very essential since they are having fun roaming around the classroom rather than participating in a convential type of lesson. In addition to this, students seemed more likely to pay attention and get involved when they are free to use a larger area of space. Hence, I'll try to as much as possible create experiences which involve getting students out from behind their desks and taking an active part in the lesson which they feel they can relate to. That's all for today!! :)

TP 2 - Self Evaluation

Hello all, During last week's TP, being my second TP, I felt more confident and at ease before entering a classroom. However, there was a slight twist as in the Form 3 Computing students went on an outing and I were to expect them during the 5th lesson for either 40 minutes or 10 minutes, I didn't know at what time they were coming!! Moreover, I didn't find the NXT robots fully assembled with sensors and motors and this drove me up the wall although I tried not to show it. Obviously, we tried our best and managed to assemble one NXT robot. When they came in and we started the activities, I excused myself for not having enough NXT robots. Afterwards, I kind of regretted excusing myself in front of students as I thought they might perceive me as being reluctant to adequately prepare a lesson. But, if I were to take on the role of a student, having a teacher reasonably excusing herself would have taught me maturity, responsibility and a sense of humbleness which are important in every profession.

Although I was a bit scared about all the things that can go wrong during a lesson, I was looking forward for this teaching experience. Although I have to work upon time management skills, I feel that I did good, being my first time. I felt very tense and nervous and this had effected a bit the way I related with the students. Nontheless, this week was better than expected. During the Computing lesson, I had full control of the class and the students behaved very well. They did not take long to settle down and the lesson started immediately. When the students were doing their presentation in front of the class I could have involved more the other students by asking them questions about what their friends have just said. But still their behaviour was good. I liked the fact that when I was doing the presentation they participated and gave lot of feedback. This fact encouraged me a lot during the lesson because it was kind of a sign that they were being motivated and interested in the lesson. Also, when they were asked questions they answered wrong, another student was asked to explain to his friend and this worked very effectively. I also liked the fact that when the students were asked if they have any difficulties, at the end of the lesson, two of the students raised their hands and I explained again to the whole class.With regards to time management, I managed to finish everything in time.

Teaching Practice 1 - Sel-Evaluation

Hey all,
Since my very first teaching practice is 'finally' over, I'd like to share some thoughts upon my performance up to now as a student teacher. I said 'finally' because naturally, I were a bunch of nerves last week before my TP!!! On a general tone, I feel that the Computing lesson went better than the ICT one; I think that I wasn't wholly mentally prepared for the first lesson (ICT) as in I was more concerned about the content and resources which I had rather than on how to tackle the students. But as the lesson progressed, I started comprehending that my approach and my disciplinary method is as equally important as the resources, activities and worksheets which I had prepared.

I don't know whether it's normal but when I was reflecting about my first TP I found more weaknesses than strenghts. First of all, during the ICT lessson, I didn't stick to the time. I prepared a revision quiz on MS Word which I didn't even start becauase the shifting of students from the computers to the middle table seemed never to last. Hence, for next time I won't tell them to shift places; I'll simply carry out the quiz with them sitting on the PC stations so as to save time.

However, I personally felt that the Computing lesson was more successful than the ICT one. First and foremost, it was a double lesson hence I had ample time to carry out the activities which I prepared. Secondly, unlike what I did for the first lesson, I entered the class looking quite rigid and this had a positive effect since the students felt that they weren't going to mess around and waste time. Therefore, I'll always keep in mind to be kind but firm.

See you next week!!

Looking back from when I was a student, the most lessons which I used to find difficult (and boring, in a way) were those lessons in which a new topic was introduced. So much new material in so much little time. But the way the teacher present it can change the whole spectrum.


As I was observing a computing lesson, the teacher introduced the use of a decision in a flowchart. He started by giving a problem and building the solution step by step. When it came to the decision part, the students got confused and could not understand the point of it.

If I were the teacher, I would have started by giving a ready made example and then building one from the beginning. In this way, students can understand what they are moving towards and get the idea of what they are suppose to do, rather than moving towards something that they don't know about.

Daniela
XOXO