Teaching Methods Including the Use of Cooperative Learning
Teaching methods that I believe in include, individualizing instruction, cooperative learning, and progressive education. I teach in a way that is fair and beneficial to the needs of a variety of children. As an educator, I think that lessons should be able to be changed or modified according to the needs of the students. As a teacher, I promise to create an inviting classroom that has a home-like atmosphere, so that the children, parents, and families feel welcome. I find that promoting the home-school connection has a positive outcome on the children. Furthermore, I believe that guidance is the best way to handle situations in the classroom. Children often need to be guided into …show more content…
I am highly influenced by John Dewey’s theory of progressive education. Progressive classrooms focus a great deal on hands-on experiences, integrated curriculum, and curriculum that emerges from the individual learner. I believe that children learn best when they are given the opportunity to learn from their own experiences, as well as, build off of these experiences. Dewey wrote his pedagogic creed in 1897, and while the language of the creed is quite antiquated, many of its components are present as the framework of many early childhood and elementary programs. Article one of Dewey’s creed, states, “I believe that the only true education comes through the stimulation of the child’s powers by the demands of the social situations in which he finds himself.” (Dewey, 1897) Furthermore, the creed goes on to say, “The child’s own instinct and powers furnish the material and give the starting point for all of education.” (Dewey, 1897) These quotes can be broken down into what these excerpts mean today. Gordon and Browne (2013) found that Dewey was generally saying that children have it within themselves to manage themselves in groups, make and share friendships, solve problems, and to cooperate. Furthermore, in the second quote, Dewey is illustrating that teachers need to create a place that is child-centered and values the skills and interests of each individual child. (pp. 18) I believe that hands-on experiences are becoming more …show more content…
There is a variety of math games and math software that can be used to enforce class material. Software can also enhance the classroom experience. For example, there are free online resources that allow students create graphs, “manipulate” 3-D shapes, and explore different tessellations. These resources allow students to express their creativity, while still exploring mathematics based concepts. I also think that calculators should be permitted in the classroom. However, students should be taught the process of how to do certain problems before they are taught how to find the product of a problem with a calculator. Calculators should be used as a resource, rather than an everyday instructional tool. In my opinion, technology is a positive addition to modern day classrooms and it will keep getting better as time goes
Teaching methods that I believe in include, individualizing instruction, cooperative learning, and progressive education. I teach in a way that is fair and beneficial to the needs of a variety of children. As an educator, I think that lessons should be able to be changed or modified according to the needs of the students. As a teacher, I promise to create an inviting classroom that has a home-like atmosphere, so that the children, parents, and families feel welcome. I find that promoting the home-school connection has a positive outcome on the children. Furthermore, I believe that guidance is the best way to handle situations in the classroom. Children often need to be guided into …show more content…
I am highly influenced by John Dewey’s theory of progressive education. Progressive classrooms focus a great deal on hands-on experiences, integrated curriculum, and curriculum that emerges from the individual learner. I believe that children learn best when they are given the opportunity to learn from their own experiences, as well as, build off of these experiences. Dewey wrote his pedagogic creed in 1897, and while the language of the creed is quite antiquated, many of its components are present as the framework of many early childhood and elementary programs. Article one of Dewey’s creed, states, “I believe that the only true education comes through the stimulation of the child’s powers by the demands of the social situations in which he finds himself.” (Dewey, 1897) Furthermore, the creed goes on to say, “The child’s own instinct and powers furnish the material and give the starting point for all of education.” (Dewey, 1897) These quotes can be broken down into what these excerpts mean today. Gordon and Browne (2013) found that Dewey was generally saying that children have it within themselves to manage themselves in groups, make and share friendships, solve problems, and to cooperate. Furthermore, in the second quote, Dewey is illustrating that teachers need to create a place that is child-centered and values the skills and interests of each individual child. (pp. 18) I believe that hands-on experiences are becoming more …show more content…
There is a variety of math games and math software that can be used to enforce class material. Software can also enhance the classroom experience. For example, there are free online resources that allow students create graphs, “manipulate” 3-D shapes, and explore different tessellations. These resources allow students to express their creativity, while still exploring mathematics based concepts. I also think that calculators should be permitted in the classroom. However, students should be taught the process of how to do certain problems before they are taught how to find the product of a problem with a calculator. Calculators should be used as a resource, rather than an everyday instructional tool. In my opinion, technology is a positive addition to modern day classrooms and it will keep getting better as time goes