Aspects of the week I found most valuable:
I would have to say that starting to teach Accounting was the most valuable aspect of the week. Last week I was finding it more time consuming to plan for Accounting and this week I found that it is more difficult to teach as well. Another aspect of the week I found valuable was learning that just because you are comfortable teaching a group of students in one room does not mean you will be comfortable teaching them in another. Monday I took the Accounting students into the computer lab so I could show them an introductory power point on my tips for success, goals for the class, etc. I have been teaching in this room for the last five weeks and feel very comfortable. My comfort level dropped dramatically when I started teaching in the Accounting room on Tuesday. The students noticed the difference. I went from being calm to nervous in one day. This was a great learning experience and I am glad to have found this out now. Over the week, I felt my comfort level in the room and with the class increase. With my comfort level rising, I will now start to focus my attention on creating fun and more exciting ways for the students to learn Accounting. I have started brainstorming with my co-op, but would love to hear some of your ideas!
If given the opportunity to start the week over I would?
If I were given the opportunity to start the week over I would review my Accounting lesson plans in greater detail. Teaching Computer Applications is becoming more comfortable to me now so I no longer need to review my lessons in as great of detail as I did at the beginning of the semester. Teaching these classes are very different and I have a new found respect for anyone who teaches concept classes. Overall, this week went well and I am confident that Accounting will only get better. The students seem to respect me and do their work. I just need to become more comfortable teaching them. Hope you all had a great week!
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Shawn, I have sent everyone a link to a Google Doc where we can all share ideas about Accounting. I'm teaching Accounting now too and find it very different than my Web Page Design class. If you have any great ideas, please post them so we can all share ideas and tackle the Accounting class. Sounds like you've had a good week and are learning. Keep up the good work and I look forward to all your ideas on Accounting!
ReplyDeleteI am scheduled to pick up a computer apps class next month. So far, I have been teaching concept classes and have found them to take so much preparation time. Finding an appropriate and interesting anticipatory set is also taking up plenty of time. I often find myself continually modifying and adjusting depending on how dry the material.
ReplyDeleteI picked up my third class a week early because it was two sections of the same class. I figured it would benefit me to guage how well I teach the classes. I have found that the second class flows much better than the first.
I know you are doing well because you are very confident and knowledgeable. So, don't second-guess yourself. Keep up the good work!
Teaching content courses is totally a different atmosphere, preparation, planning, instruction, and assessment entity. This is the reason why Dr. Olivo wants all to make sure you teach at least one content course during your 16-week Professional Semester.
ReplyDeleteThe most important advice I can give student teachers concerning teaching content courses is:
1. Make sure you "learn & know" the content before you plan, prepare, and instruct the content. Also know how it connects to the next section and next chapter!
2. Make sure you do each and every assignment/homework/assessment before you assign/administer it to your students
Content courses are your most critical test in the classroom as a student teacher. The students can tell very quickly if you know or don't know the content.
I look forward to your accounting classes as well as everyone else who is teaching accounting. Computer programming and accounting classes are the hardest content that we are certified to teach. Every student teacher who has experience in these types of courses now before they interview are very lucky!