Week Four:
It is very interesting that we just happen to speak on this topic this week. God has such a great sense of humor. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it and is never late. This past week (my first week of teaching) and Aimee can give testimony to this for me, has been a world wind of learning for me. The fact that there are already classroom procedures, routines and rituals in place and then here I come mixing it up for the kids; made the classroom a tough place to be in. Wong speaks about having different learning times. There are four times at school: Allocated time, instructional time, engaged time and academic learning time. Although, teachers use each of the times different or interchangeably, it is important to point out that Wong suggest using Academic Learning Time in order to have optimal learning in the classroom. I think what I have been experiencing this past week is a lack there of. I have had a lot of instructional time and engaged time but not academic learning time. The benefit is for this time to be happening 100% of the time. It benefits the teacher (because they are not exhausted at the end of the day), it benefits the parent because the student is actually learning and enjoys school (quality education) and the student because they are having valuable class time and they want to be engaged and they are not easily bored. Academic learning time is "the amount of time that the teacher can prove or demonstrate that the student comprehended or learned the content or mastered the skill" (Wong 200).
The "effective teacher has the students spend time working and earning their own achievement and success" (Wong 200). This time is about answering two questions-
1. Did the student learn what you wanted them to learn?
2. Can you show that the student learned what you wanted them to learn? (Wong 200).
As a teacher, this is, to be honest, mind blowing. The student learning what I want them to learn- is this not the whole point? But this past week I am not so sure they did. I can test them but is that simple recalling or learning? As a parent, I want my child to be excited about learning, getting the most of of their education, and learning valuable skills that will get them through all grades and college and not just this class. So that they can be successful in anything they do- is that not the whole point of being a parent-providing the best way possible for my child to succeed in life? And as a student, I do not want to dread my class, I do not want to dread going to any class. I am stuck there 8 hours a day. I would prefer actually learning something interesting, making the most of my time and remembering the teacher who made learning fun. In the video, Mrs. Seoyer speaks to how she was out of class on a Friday and when she came back her principal told her that the substitute had not got to the class and was 45 minutes late, however, the students had posted attendance and got through their assignment quietly. All Mrs. Seoyer said was that her students did that because of the procedures she had in place. The ah-ha moment for me and the confirmation of Wong saying that Academic Learning time fosters students who want to learn was when she told this story. The students wanted to learn, wanted to have a class, they did not have to have anyone tell them to do so because they wanted it. Amazing.- Brittney Dolinger.
It is very interesting that we just happen to speak on this topic this week. God has such a great sense of humor. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it and is never late. This past week (my first week of teaching) and Aimee can give testimony to this for me, has been a world wind of learning for me. The fact that there are already classroom procedures, routines and rituals in place and then here I come mixing it up for the kids; made the classroom a tough place to be in. Wong speaks about having different learning times. There are four times at school: Allocated time, instructional time, engaged time and academic learning time. Although, teachers use each of the times different or interchangeably, it is important to point out that Wong suggest using Academic Learning Time in order to have optimal learning in the classroom. I think what I have been experiencing this past week is a lack there of. I have had a lot of instructional time and engaged time but not academic learning time. The benefit is for this time to be happening 100% of the time. It benefits the teacher (because they are not exhausted at the end of the day), it benefits the parent because the student is actually learning and enjoys school (quality education) and the student because they are having valuable class time and they want to be engaged and they are not easily bored. Academic learning time is "the amount of time that the teacher can prove or demonstrate that the student comprehended or learned the content or mastered the skill" (Wong 200).
The "effective teacher has the students spend time working and earning their own achievement and success" (Wong 200). This time is about answering two questions-
1. Did the student learn what you wanted them to learn?
2. Can you show that the student learned what you wanted them to learn? (Wong 200).
As a teacher, this is, to be honest, mind blowing. The student learning what I want them to learn- is this not the whole point? But this past week I am not so sure they did. I can test them but is that simple recalling or learning? As a parent, I want my child to be excited about learning, getting the most of of their education, and learning valuable skills that will get them through all grades and college and not just this class. So that they can be successful in anything they do- is that not the whole point of being a parent-providing the best way possible for my child to succeed in life? And as a student, I do not want to dread my class, I do not want to dread going to any class. I am stuck there 8 hours a day. I would prefer actually learning something interesting, making the most of my time and remembering the teacher who made learning fun. In the video, Mrs. Seoyer speaks to how she was out of class on a Friday and when she came back her principal told her that the substitute had not got to the class and was 45 minutes late, however, the students had posted attendance and got through their assignment quietly. All Mrs. Seoyer said was that her students did that because of the procedures she had in place. The ah-ha moment for me and the confirmation of Wong saying that Academic Learning time fosters students who want to learn was when she told this story. The students wanted to learn, wanted to have a class, they did not have to have anyone tell them to do so because they wanted it. Amazing.- Brittney Dolinger.