MT2 Reflection

December 5, 2015

What happened? What went well?  What was an area of weakness?  I felt everything went smoothly.  I especially liked that I didn’t have to rely on someone else to do the timing or man the video.  I think I really used all technology quite well.  The simulations were perfect on the Smart Board.  I was able to control the other technology at the front desk with my iPad and 2 iPhones.  I was able to drive home some key points by bringing in some more tangible examples that the students understood better.  In the glass panels simulation I explained how glass panels trap heat using greenhouses and cold frames as my examples.  I can’t really say that it’s a weakness but I found there was too much lull time but it was inevitable considering this was a lab.

What objectives were met? What is the evidence? Which students did not meet the objectives?  Which students exceeded objectives? Why?  Both objectives were met.  Students learned how temperature and snowfall affect the size and motion of glaciers.  They also learned that rivers and valleys were carved out by glaciers and that certain places on the earth owe their existence to glaciers.  The examples given are also the answers to 2 questions on their assessment.  With regards to the glass panels I noticed 1 student having issues grasping the concept but I was able to bring it down to a more personal level and then he grasped the topic.

What was learned from this experience?  Evidence of teacher candidate learning.  To be honest I’ve been teaching for many years just not structured.  I strongly believe some people are just natural teachers and I believe myself to be one of those people.  I did implement the waiting after asking a question but other than that I stuck to my usual teaching techniques.

How will this experience influence my professional identity?  It doesn’t.  I determine my own professional identity.  But to answer this question for the sake of a grade I was able to get better acquainted with the SmartBoard and learned the ins and outs of using a GoPro.  So my tech savviness was expanded.

How will it influence how I plan/teach/assess in the future?  I will always use technology in my classroom whether it be indoors or outside perhaps in a greenhouse.  Sooner or later we will have hologram/3D technology in the classroom and I will be there.  Students that can see, hear and touch something learn so much better rather just seeing it written on a board.  Yes there are some glitches in technology but this is just how we learn and adapt.