Assessing my Teacher Skills

Quality teaching is when all students are learning with their whole brain. Teachers need to actively engage children so that the information remains in their brain. If I wanted to know how well I was doing as a teacher, I would ask:

• I would ask the students "What have you learned?" to check for comprehension
• Are my students actively engaged?
• Do the students feel comfortable in my classroom environment?
• Am I reaching each student?
• What different assessments am I giving to truly see where my students are at academically?

Technology and Natural Resource Lesson

On a lesson I did for Science in the classroom, I created an assignment about natural and renewable resources in a 4th grade classroom. I would like for students to do research via the Internet to see images of where our resources come from and what happens to the earth when they are removed and/or used. With the research that the students do, they could present it to the class. Presentations could be done using the computer if they choose.

Integrating Technology

Technology should be used to enhance students learning and to build on what teachers are discussing. It also helps differentiate instruction for students. I really liked the idea of bringing in videos and current news to the students to show them what is really going on instead of a silent 2-dimensional picture. I also really like the idea of the students using blogs and discussion boards to encourage writing and class discourse.