#412 Week Investment Reflection TWO

Throughout my educational experince, I have realized that learning is natural process that takes times. In addition, the time that it takes for students to grasp and understand concepts do vary. In the text titled Strategies for Great Teaching, it suggest that the degree in which a student masters an activity is dependent on the quality of the learning experience itself  - “the quality of the moments when we are engaged with new information and experiences.” These engaging moments, which are referred to as E-moments, maximize learning by enhancing the ways learners can connect with the content presented.

When I think of what it takes to create engaging moments as a teacher, I begin to reflect with more meaning and understanding to thoughts from my summer reading with Weekly Investment #2 readings.

In the book Teach Like a Pirate, Dave Burgess suggested that teachers must build a rapport with the students to value and understand how to guide them throughout their experience in the classroom. This can be achieved by asking questions, listening, and even sharing. The information that a teacher can learn about each individual student can easily be used for student engagement throughout upcoming lessons. This directly relates to Principle Two: The search for meaning is innate, in Caine’s Principles of Brain/Mind Learning.

Principle two suggests creating interconnections between pieces of information to create meaning. The brain’s goal is to invest information with personal meaning from what is already known and experienced. Therefore, although I want my students to be as excited as I am for a subject, I believe it is more important to focus on understanding and knowing their interests and passions, and creating those CONNECTIONS between their interests and passions to the subject. I cannot expect to be an engaging teacher if I do not understand what engages my students. I need to take the initiative to create engagement in my students' learning experiences. 

Also, Principle Three: Emotions are critical, in Caine’s Principles of the Brain/Mind Learning suggest that positive emotions are needed to boost the brain’s ability. Teachers can foster this state by creating and maintain an environment that encourages students. Burgess suggested that teachers need to create/set up an environment that is safe physically, mentally and emotionally for all students. 

Although, I believe that students help to create the environment, the teacher sets the parameters and holds all accountable.  However, sometimes teachers need to be with their students in a moment to become the most effective in teaching for the comfort of the student(s).

In summary, the engaging moments are valuable because this is where I have the ability to hook the students’ interest. Overall, I want to be more than an engaging teacher. I want to be engaged to engage students.

References

Reardon, M. & Derner, S. (2004) Strategies for Great Teaching. Chicago, Illinois: Zephyr Press

Burgess, D. (2012) Teach Like A Pirate:  Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life As an Educator. San Diego, California: Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.