Module 1 Activity 12 - PROBLEM_SOLVING

I thoroughly enjoyed doing this activity.

Using the approach of problem solving is a rather new but it was an exciting and excellent activity which I will definitely be using again.

At first I was a bit apprehensive wondering what I should do or how could I get this activity done. But after sharing and discussing the activity with a colleague, I got a clear picture and came up with the idea/concept used. Thanks Carol G.

The exciting thing about this is that once again I was places in a 'facilitator role' instead of the role of being infront of the class and I had just as much classroom control with this activity. I did not feel as if I wasnt in control of the class (Most teachers tend to think that they can only be in control when they are standing infront the class). Allowing the students to be incharge of their learning seems to be working well. It is exciting... the students were excited and ontask and I was excited and loving it too.

I am liking the 'facilitator' role more and more.

 I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO USING THIS STRATEGY MORE... 

Module 1 Activity 8: Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Wow. Finally I have gotten it.

Who would beleive that for all these years I just did not get the jist of Piaget's Theory. It just didnt make sense to me all these years. I guess it was the method of teaching and how it was taught that had caused me to have developed a mental block to it. But now I have finally grasp the foundation behind his theory. The bits and pieces of knowledge  i had grasped  were filed away seperately and doing this module have finally brought them all together and the puzzle is now in one piece. Thanks to CCTI...

It was interesting to read  Piaget's views and that of Vygotsky and to see their similarities and differences.

Module 1 Activity 7: COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

The concept of Collaborative Learning and group work has become a 'biggie' for me  interms of teaching strategies for quite some time now. I think I have learnt how to master its use and have seen tremendous success in the results - grades and positive social outcome. I have seen the positive results both at the school level and the tertiary level.

It has always been my view that learning should be fun and for this to happen the teacher is a key ingredient to make it happen. Teachers should take the time out to get to know their students because they are all different and to create the right environment with the right types of activities and assignments so that learning can take place and no one is left out and using Collaborative learning is an effective strategy for this.

 

Using collaborative learning has helped me as a teacher to  assess my classes so that I can find new and innovative ways to teach the next group that comes my way and so that I can continue being an effective teacher. I have seen how this strategy  has gotten students to enjoy and like what they are doing because of the interaction and comradry among thier peers and  those who had some resentment to the subject of Visual Arts have grown to like it and have performed better.

Module 1 Activity 11 - Lessons learnt from this Activity

For me it this teaching method is new and it find it to be a very interesting one  use to get students motivated. I realise that students once they are comfortable with the teacher  and are not afraid to ask alot of questions which helps them to improve in  their thinking. It also encourages them to be analytical and to come to conclusions but not in a judgemental manner.

As a Teacher I have always said to students that I don't know everything and that I am there to learn from them just as they are there to learn from me and if we both don't know it then we will research it together. There have been several times when questions are asked of me and I would not know the answer and I would tell them I don't know and would research and find the answer, which I always do and would be appreciated. Sometimes I would give them the chance to do the research and present the informaion.

Engaging in this activity I was able to answer all the questions because I was more than adequately prepared. I learnt that the children  themselves don't expect you to have the answer to all the questions and that they test you to see if you would own up to the fact that you don't have an answer to give. 

In my opinion some powerful learning took place.  I look forward to the designs which the students will create when the practical component is given. Also I NOW HAVE ANOTHER CREATIVE  TEACHING METHOD ADDED TO MY REPERTOIRE :).

Module 1 Activity 10 - Promoting Discussion

This was a very interesting exercise and the majority of students responded well to this activity even though I was afraid that they wouldn't since it was a small class and I was of the opinion that the diversity of students was small.
As they began the activity some were not untask and were very playful as the seemed not to take the activity seriously for whatever reason. This brought up feelings about being in control and I felt that I was loosing control and need to use the "teacher incharge big stick" approach. However I was able to push back those feelings and to approach them and was able to coherced them to get into a discussion mode by sitting with them, asking questions to get them focused on the topic and the activity.

When planning discussions, it must be well organised and students must be properly stimulated to participate in order for the discussion to be effective. Teachers must also be mentally prepared to deal with the idea that they are now 'facilitators' and should use a strategy that supports them to get such an activity going instead of wanting to be "incharge" (big stick approach) all the time.

Also teachers should do more listening and to motivate and encourage students to express their thoughts whether they agree or disagree and to remember to praise students for their imput.