In my first month of learning, I’d say that I’ve learned a ton about how to interpret the first peoples principles of learning in terms of its application to the classroom. Putting theory into context, I have read the many different principles of learning and applied my thinking into how that would fit into a classroom, so imagination has become a huge tool that I have grown to develop over the past few weeks to start the education program. The most applicable principle in particular, though I still have much to learn and be directed on, is the seventh principle which is learning takes patience and time. I love how the principle can be applied to almost any type of learning, subject area, or aspect of education. This principle is so adaptable and fits into many different trades and topics for many students to understand. What resonates with me the most is that the learning is a slow process, one that is natural and self-regulated. My example that I used in my presentation was baking a loaf of bread in class to demonstrate that learning takes patience and time. this process takes time and patience to create a beautiful end product, which is the fermentation period of waiting for the bread to double in size, proof and then finally bake to make a loaf of bread. Aside from teaching students the different, fundamental aspects of baking bread, it teaches these students to develop an appreciation for the process of learning in the fact that it takes time to develop and grow. This is much like the individual going through school and trying to make sense of that learning process. The learning has been expected thus far in the program in the sense that it has been a theory based approach to teaching, creating a solid benchmark and transition for us student teachers to go out into the teaching world with a little understanding first. The unexpected part has been the shift in grading, due dates, and structure for assignments and presentations, which is something that I have to reflect in my teaching one day. I have learned more about myself than expected in the process of the first month, particularly in the fact that I am less of an introvert than I originally thought. I enjoy the process of discussing things and being able to speak my opinion more freely in the teaching setting of the program. I feel like all the topics are relatable and definitely more than open for discussion and conversation in the form of understanding teaching from a variety of perspectives, and I think that thought sharing is one of the many ways to express a deep, insightful form of the profession. For that reason of deep interconnectivity, I have learned that I equally enjoy the quite time to myself as I do enjoy the conversation and connectedness with my fellow cohort. Ultimately, I am not an online, introverted type of person to which I thought I was prior to entering the program.
October 14, 2020 at 6:47 pm
I love the baking bread analogy! I feel like it really relates to a lot of students, like myself, who need time to digest information before you can go along and discuss and build off of it. Also, I felt the same way about the shift in grading to a pass – fail system. It is kind of a freeing feeling. In what way do you think the experience of this style of course organization may shape the way you make classes in the future?
October 17, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Thanks Megan! Yeah I think I am a slow, progressive learner as well so I feel like a lot of students can benefit from that type of learning. I think it would have a large impact on my classes in the future in terms of learning and patience. Given this style, I would like to hopefully dive deeper into topics and help students become experts in certain topics, allowing them to become experts in certain things that interest them in school. I think it is still good to practice all sorts of skills, but allowing that student to go into more research and really hone a certain skill is something I would like to consider!
Thanks Megan!
October 15, 2020 at 11:55 am
I agree fully with your comment towards principle #7 being able to contribute to all parts of learning– All parts of learning have the need for patience and time. Sometimes we have to search for it. I also connect to the difference of the grading and due dates that are expected. It is hard to get used to that way of thinking especially when we are all trained to be “better” from our last grade. It is difficult to balance that new system. You mentioned about feeling like less of an introvert than you originally thought– Being passionate about teaching, and being able to relate to particular topics seem like they are helping you to put yourself out there; however, do you think if we were at UNBC (in person) would feel the same way?
October 15, 2020 at 12:54 pm
That’s definitely a great question. I think in person would almost enhance that feeling even more because of how disengaged and isolated it feels at times to be doing the online learning. In one sense, doing online learning has brought that aspect out of me, and on another sense, being in person might’ve just carried on with being an introvert haha but if I were to go back to class today, I think i’d feel the same way 🙂