Never To SME To Learn

After years of teaching, I was hoping that going back to school would train/inspire me to add new techniques to my teaching style and I have not been disappointed. In Monson's class I have been reminded that the curriculum should be focused on student learning, not teacher teaching; that we should have the outcome squarely in our sights as we prepare each lesson. In Swenson’s class, while preparing my lesson for December 3rd, I have been inspired by Jerome Bruner (said to be the father of Instructional Design) and the Three Modes of Representation. I see that I have to be more diligent in setting up the lesson so that students can make the connection between what they know and what new knowledge they will learn. Put some "discovery/play" back into the classroom. If I weren’t so tired between the work-load at both schools, it would almost be fun to teach again; something to look forward to in 24 months.

Visting Unusual Places

I had no idea that the Olympic Museum on the University campus even existed. I think it is sad that many Utah residents don't take the time to research and to visit all the unique places available to them. It took me until I turned 45 to even visit the Kennecott lookout. I am trying to take my grandchildren to as many interesting places in Utah as I can find, the museum is now on our list. I think I will start asking them about the design of each place we visit and have them tell me what they think the author, designer, or builder was trying to convey.

Fear of Technology

After reading several articles about advancing technology and its impact on education, including this week's article, I can't believe that a majority of articles talk about the fear of technology and how its growing impact in the classroom will be the destruction of student learning. I guess the thing that really makes me mad is the authors' belief that teachers are so stupid they can't figure it out for themselves that technology is a tool, not a substitute for interaction between student and teacher.