a. INTRODUCTION
Describe the approach/strategy used.
b. DEVELOPMENT
What were the challenges encountered during implementation?
What were the tactics employed to resolve the difficulties met?
What further improvements can be suggested?
c. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
What new insights/discoveries have I made in relation to my role as a teacher?
How will I make use of this new knowledge in future?
What further information or knowledge should I seek to expand my knowledge in relation to this context?
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Being a beginning teacher, there are many things I have to deal with. Having just the content knowledge does not mean that I am an effective teacher. Classroom management, observing students and giving them the correct guidance according to their abilities are things I need to improve.
ReplyDeleteI had been taught the drill and practice method for math in the past. As saying used to say, practice makes perfect. I still believe in the saying. Without practice, one will not exposed to many questions. They would not be familiarised with the way to solve problems.
However, having said that, I had trouble trying to deliver mathematics way of solving to students. I realised that there are many ways to solving a question. And in the hope to expose students to more methods and allowing them to choose, was a mistake. Students were confused and was puzzled. It dawned on me that students are not familiar with me and my method may not be the same as what was taught to them in their previous year. Hence, I should not introduce more methods and should stick to one and "drill" it on the students.
Aside from that, it was also challenging to deal with a diverse ability class. Students who are much better in math are doing faster with the work assign. And they were seeking for answers. Hence to help solve the problem, I prepared a few extra questions for the other lessons for them to try while i can teach the other students. I also seek some opinions from other teachers, and was taught that i should also try to capitalise their math ability to teach the weaker classmates. I will need to look again at their results and rearrange seating arrangement.
Meijun
week 8
ReplyDeleteMath
I made use of powerpoint this time. My initial intention was to make sure that I am able to walk around the class. I like to walk around the class to check on student’s work. As it allows me to gauge and properly interact with the students. But when I tried using it, I still have to place myself in front of the classroom using the whiteboard as an additional aid. But with the powerpoint slides, somehow, I felt I was better paced. Though it was not effective, students were still not fully engaged. Notes were not provided, students were asked to write down on foolscap paper, there are still some students who weren’t writing down. I also realized that I am way behind SOW. But having consulted some other teachers, some teachings cannot be rushed. However, I am still worried. I am not rushing syllabus, and yet students aren’t able to understand the main concept. It starts to worry me. I tried many times to reflect on my teaching. I do realized that I have yet get the respect from the students. Classroom management is something I really need to improve. Usually for the start of the lesson, it will take me 10 minutes to settle them down. Even with scolding, even with talking, I still cannot produce the ideal classroom settings.
I set a class test and PAL test for the class, edited to an easier version. Mr Lee commented that my papers set were too hard, but given what was in the textbook, I just edited the numbers, it was found that the questions were still too tough for students. In the class test, bonus question was also given to help students gain marks. Random feedback from students were it was easy, question could be of higher standard , but it was set with the intention to encourage them to try to gain more marks.
Meijun
Reflection Week 9
ReplyDeleteIPW
Though in week 9, there were no teaching, it was however more tiring than usual. Teachers had to be present most of the time, having only 30 minute break, similar to students. Somehow, I could understand how tiring students felt. But nonetheless, I saw students enjoying themselves, interacting among their peers, talking non-stop as usual.
It was a good idea for students to have a week of learning something outside classroom. The planning for such programme must have been tedious. It was not easy task as a whole school approach, but everything went smoothly. There are rooms for improvement. Instructions can be dissimilated in written and more detailed to both teachers and students. I was lost at what I was supposed to do, and instructions were given at the very last notice. It makes students panic when they were told it was graded, and they had no written instructions on it, and it makes me panic more, since I was supposed to know. I understand the importance of having written documents for students to refer to. This will help prevent any miscommunication as well. And I believe I am a visual learner too.
I enjoyed the sec 2 camp. It was the one time I finally get to truly interact with my co-form class. I did not teach the class this year, so the respect I get from the class did surprise me, especially from students whom I did not teach or talk to before. It was also a chance to find out more about them in terms of their peer relationship, family and character. When I saw students start bonding together, supporting each other, giving their trust to each other, I saw a new relationship blooming, or some bringing to greater heights. It was a great but tiring experience. I have not had any camping experience since secondary school days. I felt that students were fortunate as they were able to experience these since all I can remember in my secondary school camp was workshops after workshops. Though I did not have such camp as the PYSS students, the bonds between friends were still built strong. Hence I felt school should have more different activities for students to bond.
Some possible activities:
Skipathon, cheerleading competition (for sports day), racial harmony competition,
Design classroom competition (may not be possible since it is homeroom system), international friendship day or even pingyi friendship day.
meijun