My Teaching Philosophy

In preparation for an online teaching position with SNHU, I was asked to write my teaching philosophy. I feel as though if I am asking my students to post to their blogs, I should start writing in mine a bit more. So here it is....

Currently I teach middle school computer studies to 6th - 8th grade students. I also teach face to face as an adjunct faculty member for Southern New Hampshire University in the education department. I am also an online graduate adjunct faculty member at Plymouth State University, where I teach a graduate course in the computer education department. The focus of the course is the pedagogy of technology integration and incorporating Web2.0 tools into the classroom. 

"He who dares to teach must never cease to learn" - John Cotton Dana 

This quote is one of my favorite teaching quotes of all time. I believe as teachers, we are here to model the love of learning for our students. It is our job to show them that even though we may be the expert, we never will and never could know everything. We are human and I feel it is important to allow your students to know that truth about you. I also allow them to know that I make mistakes and that they are also allowed to make mistakes and admit them freely. Together we learn the most. 

I hope to foster the love of learning within my students and to teach them how to become "self directed learners". They need to know how to uncover the answers to their questions on their own without me providing their answers. It is so important that students of today, whether they are in middle school or graduate students, become technologically literate. According to the ISTE-NETS standards for students, "Today's students need to be able to use technology to analyze, learn, and explore. Digital age skills are vital for preparing students to work, live, and contribute to the social and civic fabric of their communities." I believe through the use of technology, all students have the ability to learn. Technology breaks down the barriers and allows every type of learner a leveled approach to curricular achievement. Students of today need to be able to ask questions, find the answers and evaluate the validity of the resources they use. As the teacher of these skills, it is my responsibility to foster inquisitive learning opportunities. 

One of my favorite professional development educational websites I use frequently, sums up technology integration perfectly. 

"Effective tech integration must happen across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process. In particular, it must support four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Effective technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent and when technology supports curricular goals." 

Learning today in the world of technology has brought us to another level of teaching capabilities. Incorporating technology into the classroom is of utmost importance in education. The incorporation of sound pedagogy is also of utmost importance. By stating clear learning objectives and following through with clear expectations allows the students to freely focus on the formative and summative assessments throughout the classes. Reflective practice is also important for both the teacher and the student. As the teacher, reflection allows me to figure out how the lessons went, how I could have made it better and what I might need to adjust for next go around. Reflective practice for students allows them to think about the task and make real life connections to the assignment. It allows the student to see that there is always something different that could have been done and possibly improved upon. It is also important for them to know that it is impossible to be perfect and we are in a constant state of change. 

I hope to foster a community within my classes, whether it is online or face to face. I believe in creating a safe learning environment where my students are free to explore and work together to achieve their learning objectives. The learning environment is based upon trust, respect and fun. All students will be allowed to play with different programs in order to best learn how to use them. They will then apply what they have learned to create the products required to meet the learning objectives for the assessment. Relevant and real time, immediate feedback is so important for the students to let them know they are on pace with the course expectations. It allows them to feel comfortable within the course and to move forward with confidence. 

It is important to teach the students how to learn and think on their own without reliance on me. I encourage creativity and student choice. It is important to engage the learner and what better way to do that, than through something that appeals to the student. Choice with familiar topics for students enables them to activate prior knowledge and become an active participant with their learning. As the teacher, I am the most knowledgeable about my subject I teach, but I am also constantly learning. I learn new things every day and hope to foster that love of learning within my students. By providing as many hands on learning experiences for my students to learn or "figure things out", may seem uncomfortable for them at first, but in the end, they learn much more by doing than I could ever teach by demonstrating. It may create opportunities for failure, but through failure is when we learn our most important lessons. In the end, the struggle is worth it when they have a finished product that they then share with the class. It is most rewarding to hear the students say how difficult something was but how well it turned out in the end. It is my job to push them through the uncomfortable towards the excitement of accomplishment. 

Above all, having a sense of humor while teaching. Life is too short to take yourself so seriously. Learning should be fun and at times can be funny. Keeping it light allows a free flow of learning to take place and lets my students know that they are safe to be themselves. 

For SNHU the mission is delivering a quality online learning experience. For Kim Tufts ~ M.Ed., my mission is to deliver a quality learning experience for all students and to never cease to learn. 

Works Cited: 

"AlbertMohler.com." AlbertMohler.com. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. . 

"ISTE | NETS for Students." ISTE | NETS for Students. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. . 

"Quote - Who Dares to Teach Must Never Cease to Learn... on Quotations Book."Welcome to Quotations Book. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. . 

"Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are ManyThere's a Place for Tech in Every Classroom." Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are Many. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. .

Info-graphic Professors/Teachers & Social Networking

I thought this was pretty accurate and I just love these! Yes, I do believe that blogs, podcasts, wikis and video are valuable tools for teaching and learning.
Courtesy of: Schools.com

Cultivating a Learning Environment

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/niclindh/1389750548/

After reading David Warlick's blog post this evening, I started to think about how schools can take this advice? I know we are focused on creating a Personal Learning Community. What does that mean? It can't mean just solely focusing on data driven instruction. It has to start somewhere in our classrooms. We need to make the connections to our students and create a level of trust along with nurturing them. Why not start by "Cultivating a Learning Community"?  Why not celebrate things we learn and are good at?  By asking questions and wanting to genuinely know the answers from those students, teachers, parents, administrators and who ever else we can find to ask, we will be creating a nurturing community of learners.  If we listen closely, the kids want to tell us about their lives, their interests, and what they are most passionate about.  We can the allow them to feel vested in their learning.  We can then use these answers to create meaningful lessons for our students which support and encourage their passions.  We should try to ask more questions and then listen carefully.

Test #2

Week 2 - Post 1 - Testing

This is why we are teachers

"Strive to make others greater than yourselves" ~ Steve Farber

Love This Video!

Today I was reading David Warlick's blog and noticed this video.  I have to agree with him.  I wish more people understood the benefits of collaborative learning.  In my graduate work, I was asked to create my dream classroom.  My dream classroom looked exactly like the one in this video.  Comfy seating areas, along with round tables.  My tables were actually on wheels, but round too.   If kids can see each other when working together rather than sitting in rows and rows, it would make such a huge improvement in their learning environment.  If we could give those students technology to use in the classroom without worrying about "stranger danger" and showing their faces out on the internet, who knows what could happen within the school?  I hope it happens in my day of teaching.  I know it is happening in some schools but not nearly enough. 

Take a look at the web page for this video.  I love the comments.  That is what it is all about.  Great job!