I wish I would have started a reflections blog a month ago . .

I really wish I would have started a reflections blog a month ago. I'm learning something new every day and since I really do plan on teaching, I want to remember what I'm learning.

I secretly hope someone will read my other blogs, but I'm fine with this one begin completely anonymous.

Planning -

• You don't know what you don't know. I couldn't plan adequately until I knew what I would actually be doing.
• Choose texts.
• Choose assignments. Read the assignments carefully--especially if I didn't create them.

First Date Reflection:

• I am passionate about the subject. I want them to see why this class matters. Energy is good.
• I really liked the in-class essay asking: 1) Why are you in college? Why SDSU; 2) What is your major and why? 3) What are two strengths and two weaknesses in your writing?
• I wish I had been able to keep those.
• The note card idea from Alicia would actually be helpful. I could keep them and remember which student is wanting to be a nurse, which one wants to be in business, which one is an engineering major.

Be absolutely clear.

• Absences - must contact me
• Late work - daily work - one day late
• Everything - just choose

Advertising Assignment

• The assignment was too interpretive. I wasn't totally clear on what
• Rewrite the whole thing.
• Create a template.
• Be specific.
• Maybe even post sample ads on Blackboard for students to choose from.

Email assignment

• Worked well--but I would take out talk your friend out of dating someone else.

Grading

• For papers worth ten points, if students do an extraordinary job, they get eleven points.

Start the primary first project text at the end of the second week.

• I waited way too long and now I'm playing catchup.

Group Work

• Yea! for group work. I didn't think I would like this. It uses up time, allows all students to participate.
• Be specific about what you want them to do.
• Have a plan for how to divide up.
• Random works well --or planned. Some TAs are allowing students to develop "small groups" so that they learn to work within a team. I think I like that as well.

Learn to take advantage of the Smart classroom.

• Writing on the board causes me to turn my back on the students, and I lose presence.
• Students are used to looking at something. There will be a focus point.
• I wish I had started with this earlier. It allows us all to look at the notes, at the text, at the images. Instead of eyes on their books or eyes on the board, we are all looking at the same thing.
• I think this would be advantageous.

Sigh. There are days when I feel like I was made for this, and there are days when there is absolutely no energy in the room. I hate those days.

Kirsten says that my students are lucky. I am a teacher who really does care about each student, and that matters. On the other hand, I want to teach well. Hopefully these reflections will help me focus and improve my teaching now--and in the future.

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