Reflection on micro teaching

Reflecting has never been easy for me because it provides a daunting opportunity for me to come face to face with my mistakes. I must say that upon introspect of my lesson plan, I felt that I did not do my best in terms of my executing the lesson. I had all these great ideas and even a back up plan if in case the first idea was not feasible, but I can only think that I wanted too much.
One of my weaknesses as I so rightfully noted was that my transition management is inadequate. I constantly wonder “how do I get the lesson to flow?” This was one of the major concerns I had after I had planned the lesson and I was trying to teach it to thin air before I actually taught it in the classroom. I tried to replay the lesson o many times in my head but I could never get it right, and I think my visualizing skills are kind of off.
Moreover, I consider that I don’t know when to stop. I put in too much content as well as activities that I would like the students to achieve. I think I have too many ideas and I should try to stretch them out in an effort to prevent student burn out.
Also, I think the time which I took to set up was too long but that in all wasn’t totally my fault, but I do take responsibility for it. In addition, I felt that the lesson was too long because I had originally planned for forty (40) minutes and a as result I had to reduce the lesson and the activities.
Likewise, I suppose I am too much of a perfectionist and I like to go by the book. I have a real problem trying to be flexible and I do not take into account the interruptions and minor delays. I came across this a few times in the lesson and I could not think of alternatives for these mishaps. I think I was more shocked that it happened because I did not take that into account. Also, I had a problem trying to incorporate both the reading and writing connection. It took me awhile to put to figure it out only to realize that the students were reading and writing even without those set activities.
Despite my pessimistic notions of the lesson, I must admit that I was excited to teach my lesson. I believe I had some authentic learning experiences in which the students were able to construct their own knowledge. Also I was proud of the fact that I was able to incorporate pre, during and post reading and writing activities, as this was usually a difficult thing for me since I was never really aware of its existence, and I believe that these assisted the students in making a connection with the material in the lesson.
Furthermore, I presume that one of my strengths was the fact that I prepared back up materials. Although I had heard it many times and I tried to avert it, I came to the realization that wit technology something always goes wrong, even if you plan in advance, and I still planned in advance regardless. In addition, I was able to formulate a strategy which would help me in assisting my students. It was the use of the coloured pens to indicate whether or not they needed help or clarification. I was delighted with myself for trying such a management technique as one of my problems was classroom management. Moreover, I was elated because I had spent countless days organizing my lesson and to see it put down on paper was magical and I know tht I can produce some really good lessons in the future.
Equally important is the fact that I suppose there are things that I would have done in an effort to make the lesson more effective. Firstly, I would have prepared the classroom a day in advance and then the morning of the lesson I would have come in extremely early to ensure that everything was working properly and that there were no glitches and everything was running smoothly. Secondly, I would condense my objectives and focus on one from each of the domains because I think the students had too much to cover in such as short space of time. Also, I would use the blackboard a little more in an effort to get the students to fully connect with the lesson rather than many handouts. Moreover, I would shorten the video clipping and give students homework to complete the tasks, as well as let them write in their interactive journals at home because there is not enough time allotted to the period. In addition, I would let the students create the brochure by hand which was my original plan because there is always a mishap with technology.
Charlie Batch noted that “Proper preparation prevents poor performance”, but I don’t think that it solely has to do with preparation. I believe that teachers, especially I, should be able to adapt because most times a plan will not be seen through in its entirety. I have to learn to be more flexible and be conscious of the fact that not everyone is at the same level, therefore I need to have the right amount of objectives which can be achieved in the right amount of time allotted for the lesson. I’m still trying to work out those kinks but eventually I think I will get the hang of it.

Micro teaching

GET RID OF THE ZOMBIE SYNDROME

QUOTE:

"We must ensure that students are not merely physically present, coasting from class to class in an unspoken agreement with adults to behave as long as the challenge remains low." p. 382

REFELECTION

Get rid of the “zombie syndrome”. Our jobs as teachers in a perfect world should be easy and stress free, however this is not the case. We do not live in a perfect world and as a result, we are faced with a myriad of personalities and can never use the same approach to teach. Students should be able to respond, react and interact with the material presented to them. They should not however be subject to robotic treatment which is monotonous and a bore. We as teachers should actively engage students in tasks which will encourage them to challenge and not just accept the concepts and information presented to them. It appears that the students have been trained in an authoritarian system where all teachers assume the role of dictator. With this attitude we as teachers are not forced to work and therefore the students are not forced to learn or even think critically.