Saturday 25 October 2014

http://youtu.be/P-elu3e2KvY

INTROVERTS


ENTRY #2

The Power of Introverts

OBJECTIVE
    I found this video on introverts very interesting and so true.  I have never thought of myself as an introvert until watching this video.  All my life I have been classified as an extrovert and in a lot of ways I am.  I am outgoing, personable, love to go to parties and love being social.  On the other hand I have always loved my quiet time especially when I could sit for hours and read a book without anyone interrupting.  I also prefer an email from a stranger rather than a phone call.  I am outgoing in my own comfort zone but realized I am also an introvert in a place of unfamiliarity.   I work very well in groups but also feel I do my best thinking when I am by myself and able to process all of the information I am reading.  This video really opened my eyes on how successful introverts are and how we don’t always need to work as a group.

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

    I have always been a strong believer in group work as I feel it can bring students out of their comfort zone.  Many great things can be accomplished through group work and I have been very successful working as a team.  I have never thought about giving my students time to work on their own until I watched Susan Cain.  I now realize that giving students the opportunity to sit on their own and come up with ideas or solutions on their own can be extremely effective.  I think in a classroom there are more introverts than extroverts and I think many students would love to be able to have the chance to work on their own rather than in a group.  So many influential people in the world were introverts including Bill Gates and Albert Einstein, two of the most influential people in the world.  I really believe introverts are strong and powerful and can make a big difference in the world.

INTERPRETIVE

    I could watch this video over and over because Susan has so many great points in her video.  When I took the esthetics course I was an adult and had a lot of fears about going back into the classroom.  I quickly became a full introvert and feared I would not succeed in my program.  As the weeks went by I became comfortable and did very well.  My instructor never pressured us to work in groups but gave us different options.  After watching this video I will have a different approach to my classroom.  I still want to encourage group work but will also make sure my students have time to themselves to get inside their mind in a way they can’t when working in a group.

DECISIONAL

    I am now really looking forward to teaching my class with a different approach.  Instead of judging people on how quiet or how loud they are I want to challenge each and every personality to explore inside their minds.  I feel that if they are given the chance to do this they will dig deeper and have a greater impact on what they are learning.  I can’t wait to see what different personalities I have in my class and I will aim for a little less group work and more quiet individual work.  Introverts are just as powerful as extroverts and I feel they can have a stronger impact on the world if people wouldn’t judge them solely on their quiet demeanor.  I look forward to seeing what changes in my classroom after using this method.

   

        















DIRECT INSTRUCTION

DIRECT INSTRUCTION:


Direct Instruction is an approach to teaching. It is focused purely on direction from the teacher.

I feel that Robert Slavim and Madeline Hunt’s models of direct instruction are a great explanation of direct instruction.

There are certain steps to follow to have a productive classroom.

STATE THE LEARNING OBJECTIVE
    -You want to tell the students what they will be learning in the course and how it will benefit them.  Students need motivation and this is the time to do it

2.REVIEW PREREQUISITES
    -this is a very important step.  You want to make sure students have previous knowledge of the subject because if they don’t it will be very difficult for them to succeed.

3.PRESENT NEW MATERIALS
   -You want to make sure there are many examples and demonstrations.  While some students learn from a lecture others may find it too fast and will need to refer back to notes.  I think that handouts, diagrams, videos and printed notes will be a great help for a variety of different students.  I also feel that as an instructor I should demonstrate what I am teaching.  If I am giving a lecture on how to perform a facial I will have handouts, videos and I will  personally demonstrate how it is to be done.  I want my students to be engaged.  It isn’t enough for them to listen they need to see it being done.

4.PROVIDE GUIDED PRACTICE
   -After the subject is explained and demonstrated then the students can practice.  As an instructor I will walk around the classroom and check their progress.  I will make then make sure the students understand and then adjust the lesson accordingly

Once this is all completed the lesson will come to a close.  The instructor will do an assessment and ask the students what they learned and took out of this lesson.


PROS AND CONS

There are some pros and cons of direct instruction.

CONS:

Some cons of direct instruction are that there is little room to improvise.  It is a step by step teaching method.  Teachers must be well organized and have excellent communication skills to have a successful classroom.  If they don’t have this the students will struggle and not get a grasp on what they are trying to learn.  For example if I am teaching how to perform a facial I must be very organized.  I need to have tools and products as well as a step by step guide to the lesson.  If I don’t have this the students will not be able to perform the facial properly. 

ADVANTAGES:

Direct Instruction is best for learning a specific skill.  In my field there are so many different services that need to be taught.  Teaching my students using this format is beneficial because it lays out the service step by step.  After the lecture and explanation there is time to demonstrate it and then for the students to practice it.  To be successful in my field you need a lot of understanding and a lot of practice.

ADVANTAGES OF THE FLIPPED CLASSROOM


ENTRY #3

ADVANTAGES OF THE FLIPPED CLASSROOM


OBJECTIVE

    This subject in the forum really caught my attention and I was so happy to see how many people are advocates for the flipped classroom.  Working as a group in the classroom gives strong students the opportunity to help the weaker students do much better but without taking over the entire class.  When different types of students work together they have a much better outcome.  In this classroom setting students can go over the course material as much as they need and for some students this is how they will succeed in the classroom.  It is becoming more popular each day and I think once students get comfortable with this type of learning it will become a favorite among students. 

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

    As a student I have always loved working in a group setting.  I found that sitting and listening to a lecture would lose my attention at times.  When following protocol in the classroom there are many times I had no choice and had to lecture for eight hours of training and then move on to the practical the next day.  I feel that if students are given the chance to learn this material at home and then come to the classroom for hands on work they will be more successful.  I realize that some students need to learn by the traditional method but I feel that if I move them out of their comfort zones they will understand the class so much better.  Giving them time to go over the material as much as they need is so helpful for most students.  In my field of esthetics I feel that the flipped classroom is a huge benefit.  Students need much more hands on training in this field so giving them more time to do this will help them out a great deal.

INTERPRETIVE

    I have read this forum over a few times and find all the comments very interesting.  Most people are very positive about the flipped classroom, but some instructors have not given it a try because they feel that their students need to learn the traditional way.  I am not saying that the traditional way is a negative way to learn because it is needed in certain classroom settings, but I also don’t think that the flipped classroom should be ruled out.  After reading the comments in the forum I hope instructors feel encouraged to try the flipped classroom.  Putting students together as a group has great outcomes and will give the students much more confidence. 


DECISIONAL

    I am really looking forward to teaching esthetics and I think my first step will be to use the flipped classroom.  Looking back at when I was in school as an adult I think I would have loved this.  I will make sure my students are aware that they can come to me if they feel they are struggling and not grasping all of the information on their own.  I will never make them feel like they are learning alone.  I want to encourage my students to work together and teach each other different things.  Trying new things can be scary but learning a new style will never hurt a student it will only benefit them.  I hope my students will like the flipped classroom idea as much as I do and I hope this forum discussion encourages more instructors to attempt this method.   





Thursday 25 September 2014

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY DIGITAL PROJECT SUMMARY

My instructional strategy project will be on Direct Instruction.  I did a lot of research and found many interesting articles and videos on this topic.  Slavin and Madeline Hunter's models really stood out to me.  Each step of their model explained how to be effective using direct instruction in the classroom.  I now feel more confident about teaching my students in the classroom because I will have these steps to reference back to.

Wednesday 17 September 2014

LINKS TO MY CLASSMATES BLOGS

http://tanya-teaching-learning-sharing.blogspot.com/

http://mainstreampermaculture.com/

LINKS FOR PIDP 3250

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/didnt-teach-learn/?ET=facultyfocus:e110:180737a:&st=email

www.selfdirectedlearning.org

psychologicalscience.org

PIDP 3250 Using Self Directed Learning


Self Directed Learning

What is a self directed learner?

Reading through the discussion forum a question was posed "are adults naturally self-directed learners?"

Self-directed learning is "a process in which individuals take the initiative with or without the help of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating goals, identifying human and material resources for learning, choosing and implementing appropriate learning strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes" (Knowles, 1975).

Reading the forum and articles about self directed learning I have come to see that being a good learner involes a whole range of skills and abilities.  The learner takes the initiative to pursue the learning experience and to complete the course.  Self directed learning comes with a lot of self planning, motivation, developing a plan that will work for the individual.  Reading many articles I have come to see that self directed learning is very effective because it makes students more willing and motivated to work.

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/didnt-teach-learn/?ET=facultyfocus:e110:180737a:&st=email

"She didn't teach we had to learn it ourselves"

I found this article posted by Doug Mauger very interesting.  I am a big believer of the flipped classroom and I am a student that benefits greatly from this type of learning.  That being said I do realize some students will struggle with this type of learning.  I believe it is good for students to go out of their comfort zone and try to come up with examples and ideas on their own.  A teacher reading from her list of ideas doesn't challenge the student to think on their own.  As long as the teacher is present and active in the classroom to help anyone that is struggling I believe this is a great way to teach.

Friday 18 July 2014

Links

Learning Partners Blog

http://rustyfrustum.wordpress.com/

Learning Partners Websites






http://ae.gov.sk.ca/evergreen/lifeworkstudies/part1/portion02.shtmlnmandryk: http://atepie.cep.edu.rs/public
http://ets.tlt.psu.edu/learningdesign/audience/diversestudents



SIE Website
https://www.instructordiploma.com

SIE Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/VCCSchoolOfInstructorEducation





Resource Section

                                            References

Retrieved June 20 2014, www.diversity.web.org

Retrieved June 21 2014, www.worldwidelearn.com

Retrieved June 29 2014, www.c-pal.net

Retrieved July 10 2014, www.azbn.gov/documents

Journal Section-Reflections on Diversity in the Classroom

a)New Insights:

         I have gained a lot of insight on the role adult educators play

related to diversity in the classroom.  I have ready many articles and

most of them talk about growing cultural and ethnic diversities.

I realize to succeed in the classroom I must understand the differences

in a global society.  As a teacher you encounter different people

everyday and we as educators must learn not to judge or assume, but

to listen and hear their stories.  Each individual is unique and they

all have a different way of learning.  I will work very hard as an

instructor to not have any preference or judgement on any student

that enters my classroom.  I want every student to feel equal and to

learn as much as other student in the class.  After reading these

articles I feel like I will have a much stronger grasp on my lesson

plans and how to deal with my classroom.



b:Trends:

         Some trends in my field of esthetics relating to student diversity is the large

population of students coming from overseas.  I was in the esthetics

program six years ago and I was in a very diverse classroom.  Many

of the students came from overseas and some of them struggled with

the language.  Some of the terms in the textbook were very hard for

them to understand.  The instructor moved quickly through the

theory component and many of those students were left behind and

struggled to catch up with the rest of the class.  As an instructor I will

make sure that no student feels left behind or feels like they are

struggling.  If the text isn't working for some students I will use

diagrams and find short videos to help them better understand. 

I will take seminars and courses to further my understanding on

diversity so I can be successful in my classroom. Our

world continues to grow and as an instructor I have to use different

techniques so each student can learn and achieve their goals.

c:WEB-CONFERENCE:

           My web conference experience was really good.  I was a little nervous when

I knew we had to do a blog partner assignment but I am so glad we did.  Once we finally

connected with our busy schedules I learned a lot from my

partner.  We had a great discussion about diversity and we gave so many different examples

to each other.  I explained to Natasha about diverse classrooms I have been in and she also

shared her experiences about the classroom she teaches in and the diversity in it.  I did a lot

of research on diversity but it was so interesting talking to Natasha about articles she found.

For example she found an article discussing the diversity of the Native American population and

it is growing.  I had not come across this and found it very interesting discussing it with her. She also

shared information about student funding.  I did not realize that Canadian students pay a different

amount for tuition compared to students from overseas.  I found this to be a great learning experience.

We both shared the same topic but came up with such different articles and information pertaining

to it.  


Monday 16 June 2014

A little about me....

Hi, my name is Giulia and I am a student in the PDP program.  I was born and raised in North Vancouver and I am still living here now.  I am a mother of two small children.  I have a three year old and a seven month old.  I work as an esthetician and I love what I do but am looking for a bit of a change and would love to be able to teach the esthetics program.  I was an adult when I took the program and I really loved the way it was taught.  I spent years in University but going back to school as an adult was much different.  I have always had a passion for teaching and I think this will be a great direction for me to take for the future. This program has been great allowing me to take my time and get the courses done.  Creating a blog is a bit out of my comfort zone but I am glad I am taking the challenge and am looking forward to the rest of this program.