What I Learned In My Classroom: A Tightful Learning Experience

Thus far in the elementary education program at Shepherd University has been a delightful learning experience. I’ve had several encounters with a variety of different teachers all of which have given me the opportunity to observe and/or engage in their classroom. Each classroom has given me the chance to see different strategies, classroom management and organization skills, as well as the incorporation of technology. It seems at first as if the days merge together, mostly being the same as the last. However, when I reflect back every day in every classroom I’ve been in has offered something new. I’ve recently finished my first semester of pedagogy and it provided me with so much greater understanding. Each and every learning experience thus …show more content…
I walked into pedagogy with so much frustration with the amount of reading from previous courses and definitely not looking forward to the amount of reading I was about do. However, reflecting back I can now see the importance of all the previous and present courses’ readings. In addition to that I will say no amount studying or reading can provide me with the knowledge I’ve learned in field. I’ve read many strategies on what can and should be used in a classroom but one thing the reading doesn’t cover is how effective or useful a strategy is in your classroom. One strategy that I’ve seen used the most is the use of learning stations. I personally think learning stations are very useful. However, I don’t feel they should be the primary strategy for teaching a new skill. While observing and participating in my facilitating teacher’s classroom I’ve had the opportunity to use some technology. I personally never seen the effectiveness of using the ELMO, however, I’ve learned how important and effective it can be just to display the work the students are supposed to do so that all students can see and follow along as the teacher explains. One particular concept that I’ve seen so impressively displayed in my facilitating teacher’s classroom is organization and planning. Throughout the semester there were many days where my facilitating teacher faced difficulties with teaching lessons due to scheduling of events …show more content…
This class has changed the outlook I have on learning. As I mentioned I became so frustrated with the amount of reading and assignments that were laid in my lap as class began. I began to wonder if I was even going to make it through the semester. At some point I began to wonder is this ever going to end, am I ever actually going to use this reading to help me in my classroom. I later found out that the answer to that is yes. However, reflecting back I am now appreciative on the knowledge I’ve learned. A misconception that I use to have that once you’re finished college you’re done with studying and learning. This is not true. As a teacher you must view every day as an opportunity to make improvement. You must assess yourself, on the implementation of the lessons you taught, and the students’ response of the lesson then from here see what can be improved. Teaching is a constant learning process on what can be done to make the classroom a more effective learning environment whether it be the use of a new practice, the use of a certain strategy, or providing more collaboration and engagement. Every year will bring a new batch of students with different needs from the previous year, as teacher you must be able to assess these new students and their needs. With different needs every year it is the teacher’s responsibility to discover what strategies will work best, and as the years progress new advancements and changes will