White Water Rafting

My white water rafting experience, by Michelle D’Andrea.

How do I come across fairly to all my students?  Some of my students require more attention than others.  Some students need the extra help with their homework, classroom activities, and lab assistance when performing a welding task.  How am I able to accommodate all my students in a fair manor?   There are a couple of students in my class that have learning disabilities and need me to help with reading the assignments to them and explaining in detail the chapter review questions.  This has brought some questions to me as to why I help other students in depth more than others.   What is a professional way of explaining to other students why my actions are different to each individual?  I need to answer in a professional manor and keep my students with disabilities confidential?  

Tough Decision, 1.1

Steps 1, Defining my decision;   I have an important personal decision to make in the next two weeks.  My sister is getting married and I need to lose 5 pounds before the wedding.  I want to look beautiful, healthy and fit.  I will be wearing a stunning black brides grown and will be in a tremendous amount of photos. 

Step 2, Considering the possible choices;  I can eat two very small meals each day or I can do 30 minutes of cardio and eat three medium meals a day.  Last alternative is to just eat one large meal a day and drink an exhausting amount of water to help fill the stomach so it doesn’t growl for hunger.

Sept 3,  Pros and Cons;  Eating two small meals a day will ensure the weight to come of but I will not have much energy throughout the day.  Doing cardio thirty minutes a day and eating three medium meals a day will also ensure the extra weight to come off.  The down fall is I have to take time out of my already busy schedule to make sure I accomplish this.  There can be no excuses like, just 15 minutes on the couch then I will do my cardio.  My last idea was eating one large meal a day and drinking plenty of water to fill my stomach.  If I decide to go with this idea I would yes get to my goal however, I would be starving my body. In doing this I might not get to my goal because I might over eat when it was time to eat. 

Step 4, My best choice;  30 minutes of cardio and eat three medium meals a day.

Step 5, My plan of action and monitoring my results;  Make a list of three meals each day I will be eating along with what time of day I will do my cardio.  As I go along the days I will modify what I enjoy eating and increasing my cardio on a daily basis. 

Assignment 4.2

These last few weeks in this course I have to say I have been learning a great deal of new knowledge regarding learning style perspectives.  The importance of understanding the different learning styles is crucial to have the maximum effect of teaching when trying to educate any student.   In the beginning of the semester I assumed every student learned like me, however in reading our text book I have learned this is not an accurate reflection. 

I desperately need to work on my lecture presentations in the class room.  I have seen my students nodding off half way through my lecture and thought maybe the material was to technically difficult for the students to grasp.  I also have felt a little insecure of my teaching capabilities and thought maybe I was not instructing properly.  I know now that there are many different learning styles and it is important to incorporate different approaches to my teaching style.

I have a new understanding of the power of thought.  My way of thinking is my way and no one else’s.  I also should never assume that others understand what I am trying to get across when communicating verbally.  In my daily and professional life I will think about how I am going to engage in conversation and be aware of how someone might interpret the words that come out of my mouth. 

Get on your soap box

This entry relates to instruction in the class room. 

http://www.ictineducation.org/home-page/2011/3/3/13-reasons-to-use-educational-technology-in-lessons.html

Assignment 2.2

I do not feel educators should create assignments for every different learning style to accommodate students.   It is important to have a well rounded way of approaching teaching in the class room.   Teachers need to be able to have material that follows in the class room and keeps the student focused.  Group projects and participation from students I find are helpful.   I have discovered that when I show a video it is important to have a set of questions for the students to answer while the video is playing. 

In regards to educators and learners knowing their learning styles, yes I feel this is very important.  Knowing your learning style will completely benefit ones self to become the best students or educator possible.  What a great reward and feeling.

Welding

Welding is so beautiful.  The smell of burning metal along with watching 2 metals melt together to become one is magical.