Dennis' Educational Experience

This first month has been pretty intense.  There is a vast amount of information that we have covered as a class.  I was previously unaware of the various teaching methods that we have covered so it has been time consuming to take in and grasp all the material.  The models were in depth and interesting but I found the strategies to be the most informative and helpful.  This is probably because strategies are more specialized than models.  I found the instructional framework reading very enlightening because it is “intended to encourage teachers to examine their own instructional practices. Reflection on the use of strategies, methods, and skills may lead teachers to broaden and deepen their repertoires of instructional approaches. Expanding one's repertoire of instructional approaches enhances instructional effectiveness.”  As future educators, that is an extremely important aspect of teaching that we need to explore.  Without that exposure and point of view we may never grow as educators.  This is one of a number of examples explaining why the framework is important.  I feel that why we were assigned the t-shirt project was because it was a good ice-breaker to get in front of the class and it allowed us to share some information about ourselves and our thoughts with the rest of the class.  I always found CBC objectives difficult.  In my curriculum planning class we were expected to have numerous examples of CBC objectives.  I always found them time consuming and not that easy.  I understand why they are used because it provides a clear and detailed account of what is expected.  Co-operative learning is an interesting experience.  I certainly understand why it is used.  It is an effective way of conveying information.  Students do tend to do a little better when learning from peers.