Week 2 Blog Post

Essential Question: What tools might provide me insight into the learners in my classroom and how might I use this information:

           

            There are several tools in existence that could help provide insight into the different learners within my classroom. Some of those include:

·      Interviews

·      Multiple Intelligences; Survey

·      Interests Survey

·      Assessment data from the previous years

·      Etc….

Although I do not detest the concept of using a ‘survey’ to determine the type of learner my students are, I do believe there is a MUCH better avenue to take.  I encountered a site while browsing titled: Learning Styles "Quick" Inventory.  This site provided a easy assessment to determine between whether your students are Visual Learners, Audio Learners or Kinesthetic Learners.  To do this, you would conduct a series of presentations-in which student whom of which were stronger in one area or the other, would excel.   Although the presentation suggests having someone there to obverse the reactions of the students, it would be just as beneficial to RECORD the reactions (which can be easily done with a computer).  After which the teacher can play back the video to help determine the student’s success.  This inventory of learning styles can be easily incorporated within the classroom by not only the teacher, but by the students as well.  If students are able to recognize how they learn, they themselves can also make accommodations for it as well.  These results of the test could also play as a great resource for parents when used to help their child study at home.   The wonderful thing about this assessment is that it is quick, and could easily be conducted.  In fact, I plan on attempting this exact scenario within my classroom tomorrow! Wish me luck!

            There are several other factors a teacher should identify in addition to determining the learning styles of our students. Some of these factors include and ways you can help accommodate them within your classroom include (but not limited to):

·      Language

o   Learn a few basic words and everyday expressions in their home language.  Doing so will help the child feel like you are taking a vested interest in them, as well as their home language.

·      Culture

o   Inform yourself on the specific culture.

o   Invite their culture into the classroom.  This will in turn help raise the self-esteem of the students and help generate respect from their peers.

·      Values

o   Family relationships

o   On Education

·      Home Environment

o   Who lives at home? 

o   What’s their home environment like?

§  Understanding both of these will help you understand how to reach out to your students and make them feel like they are cared for.  This is especially important for those students who come from a rough home.  You can show this by asking how the student is, learning their interests, ask them questions about all types of things-including those not associated with school.

In addition to meeting your students learning needs, you must also meet their need to feel needed and wanted.  There are a few ways you can do this.  First, make an effort to greet each student everyday.  Even the simplest “Good Morning Timmy, its great to see you today” can make a huge difference in the student’s perception and attitude for the day.  Another thing you can do is actually take some time to talk to your students and get to know them as a unique individual.  Know the names of their brother’s and sisters; ask them how hunting and camping went this past weekend.  Take the time to show students that you care what is happening in their lives.   By showing interest in the lives of your students, they will try harder to please them.  You won’t just be their teacher, but their friend.  Students need to see their teacher’s as someone who wants and believes in them.  If you set that expectation and goal for them, they are more likely to meet it.

Discuss the PLN that you are developing:

            At the moment I have joined the Wiki K-3^rd page, but have also created my own for 3^rd grade in particular.  I will probably do most of my posts on the K-3 page, but wanted to make a page that was more grade specific.  The reason for doing so, is that I’ve found too often that when paired with too earlier of grades, the concepts/ideas/links that are suggested are way too far below my students actual abilities.  I felt that if I created a page that was geared towards the actually grade I was teaching, I would be able to share (as well as have other’s share) more advanced materials that could meet mine and other students needs.  If for some reason this Wiki does not catch on, I might create a page that will be 2-4, as I believe this would be more age/grade appropriate for myself. 

            Through the use of reading other blogs and Diigo pages I have identified people who would be beneficial to have in my PLN.  The fresh and innovating ideas presented could be very beneficial to my own students. As of right now I use Skype as my main communication tool, but will start to use Twitter more often as my means for communication between others in my PLN (I am more confident in Skype, than I am in Twitter). 

http://www.ogcs.org/curriculum/learnstyles/lskindlearn.html

http://www.colorincolorado.org/educators/reachingout/backgrounds/

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/columnists/mcdonald/mcdonald013.shtml

My new Wiki page:

http://diffimooc.wikispaces.com/3rd+grade