Course Strands and Dimensions of Learning

                Communication: Communication has been essential in not only our class but also in working with the students at Apache.  I know that I should always be working on my communication skills.  Sometimes I have a hard time getting my ideas across whether verbal or written which makes it hard for people to understand my point of view.  I have enjoyed getting to know everyone in our class and many of the students at Apache.  The whole semester has been focused on different forms of communication and these experiences have only helped make my own communication skills stronger.

Research/Content:

                Walking into class I will admit that I didn’t have much experience in teaching children much less anyone.  I’ve spent time around children and have no problem being comfortable with them.  I have more trouble with adults than anyone else.  I started the semester off a bit rough and nervous about what we would be doing.  I sought out advice and help with dealing with my various situations.  Now at the end of the semester I wouldn’t say I was an expert but I have learned more about children and what it really means to be diverse.  This course has strengthened my knowledge about teaching linguistically diverse and has taught me more about children. 

Technology

                Technology is forever changing and if we do not jump on the boat and learn now we will have a lot of catching up to do.  I had to use the computer to type various word documents throughout the semester.  We have gotten the chance to use web pages, video cameras, and cameras.  These are just a few items we have used in this class.  These are the basics and I am glad to have had the opportunity to create my own webpage and publish it to the internet.  Just recently we had the chance to be exposed to the process of making a video and the editing process.  I know I couldn’t edit a video on my own but having been exposed to the software has been quite an adventure.

Collaboration

                Being able to work with others is a part of teaching.  Within this class we have collaborated with each other as well as some outside helpers.  Mrs. Bradshaw has allowed us to come into her classroom and work with her students.   We are working with them to help them write stories and orally tell them.  We have also worked with each other to make our class a success.  We had to rely on one another to present the chapters in the text and help each other with any obstacles that we faced within the class.  Working with others is important if we plan on succeeding as teachers in today’s society.

Five Dimensions of Learning

Confidence and Independence

                In the beginning of this semester I was focused on not wanting to fail and being afraid that I was not doing my work in the best way I knew how.  I was shy and unsure of myself and I think my students at Apache could see that so they became unsure of my ability.  I can see how I have changed and I like to think that I now focus on succeeding and learning to do the best I can.  I have the answers I need right inside myself and I am learning to trust myself more and more.  I am becoming confident and independent in the work that I am doing.  I can’t wait to see how I change by the end of this program.

Skills and Strategies

                I have learned many skills and strategies with working with linguistically diverse students.  My students were quiet and shy and now they are more open and friendly.  I have learned new skills and straggles from the children and working with them as well as from the textbook.  I have learned new skills as well as enhanced the ones I already had.  I think skills and strategies go hand-in-hand with confidence.  The more confidence I have shown with the students the more confident I have become in working with them and trying new things.  It took me a while but I think I finally met the needs of my students at Apache which allowed them to become more confident in themselves.

Knowledge Content

                In the beginning of this course I did not have the knowledge that I wish I had.  I have learned so much through this course.  I have learned new methods for working with diverse students and how different technologies can be implemented into the classroom.  I didn’t know what to expect when I started this course but I am proud to say that I have found it very valuable and will keep everything I have learned for future use.  I am excited to learn more about this topic as well as others that I have come across within this course.

Use of Prior and Emerging Experience

                The experiences that I had this semester will help me to be successful in my own classroom.  It is important to make a connection with children if you want them to open up.  When I met my students at Apache I did not do this and it was halting the progress I should have been making with my students.  I have learned a few strategies in to make a connection and will use these in the future.  I have always known that different students have different needs but I have really seen this to be true with my two students.  I will keep in mind that not all strategies work for all students.  My prior experiences did help me in working with the students but my emerging experiences are going to be much more valuable.

Critical Reflection

                This class has given me the opportunity to step back and look at myself.  I have had the chance to see how I work with students and how I can improve my methods.  I have learned of the struggles that English language learners face and I hope to be more aware and sensitive to these when I become a teacher.  This class has been an eye-opener for me and I can’t wait to see what else is to come.

This semester has been a journey of ups and downs.  I have learned so much and hope to remember and use everything in my own classroom.  I would give myself an A for this course just because I have grown so much.  I can see that I have learned and that this course will help me become a better educator with all students not just linguistically diverse.  I have improved and kept up with the work of the course.  I am kind of sad to see it end and can’t wait for the children’s performance.