Having choices allows students to feel that they have
control or ownership over their own learning. This, in turn, helps them develop
a sense of responsibility and self-motivation. When students feel a sense of
ownership, they want to engage in
academic tasks and persist in learning. We teachers can offer them those appropriate
choices to help them to be responsible and autonomous.
It was really impress to find out what research mentioned
about how teachers are afraid to lose control over classroom management if they
to give students more choice in their learning process. In fact if the teacher
allows more choice to students the opposite happens. As long as the students understand
their role as the one in control over their thinking, self esteem, learning
behaviors, they are more likely to be responsible or being in charge of their
learning.
And teachers need to learn how to
help students develop the ability to make appropriate choices and take control
over their own learning. When we keep students engaged with meaningful assignments
the result is positive motivation without any disturbances or complains. Here
is the point where the
teacher gained their respect and concentration.
I had a conversation about it with a colleague this week, she teaches Math and
said to me “as long they see I am prepared to guide them, they are the best
students.” For example, I like to set classroom rules; I have assigned rule
watchers one or two per rule. Then at the end of the class they self evaluate
their behavior to improve their learning experience. For example for the rule “everyone
must participate” (sounds like a strong statement and it is for young learners in
behalf on their learning) the rule watcher assigned stands up and ask the rest
of the class: did we all followed this rule? And then, their answer is YES!!! There
is always a moment where they reflect (how many times, what did you do? etc) about
what they did to learn. This exercise helps them to develop class ownership and
autonomy. Young learners are less willing to be acting up and more motivated to
find out what they are going to learn during the class. Step by step they are
developing a sense of
responsibility and motivation that will transcend everything except their
desire to learn.
About one computer class, well I’ve
learned many different tips to use it effectively in the classroom. For example
I loved the recommendation of using it as a journal and as learning center. I
know how exited students go with the idea of being in front of it typing for a
few minutes.
Also this article gave me more
confidence to teach with just a single computer and take the most of it. It
really expanded my horizons about the possibilities for usage. I was so used to
teach adults inside of fancy computer labs in the company I used to work for that
the lack of technology in a school setting was not letting me being creative
about how to use a great resource with the little ones.
For my project task, I asked at the
very last minute to some parents that are good with computers to stop by to
help out the class. I was surprised to see two of them arriving to help.
Children’s natural reaction was surprise too. They were not used to see parents
during their classes. They enjoyed the interactive presentation so much. They were
laughing hard when they hit the wrong answer at the end of the presentation.
They were celebrating every good answer too. One child said: This was the best
class ever! In my opinion, it was a little too much for my humility. It was
really rewarding to hear that.
I am still working in having
internet connection in the classroom to use more and more resources from the
web! Also I am planning to have connected the computer with the TV soon.
Regarding to choose a peer to review
my draft I just hope Mohini accepts my request.
Thank you for a great week 7.
Aida
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