December 12, 2009

I have noticed in the past few days that some students want everything spoon fed to them. How does a teacher create an environment where a student wants to learn?

The teachers job in this situation is to be very aware of the student. Listen to what the student is saying saying, then one can truly know what is blocking the natural flow. It all is really left in the hands of the student.

Everyone deep down on the inside wants to grow and I see this everyday. So I will see what I can do to aid in this growth.

Day 4 - 12/3/09

Today in small groups students were asking smarter questions and weren't looking towards me for answers to their problems. Effectively, the students were solving their own problems without my assistance. Although, a few students still needed assistance and I reminded them of a technique that John Hagelin told us to use in small groups.

1.) Read Aloud
2.) Tell someone in your own words.
3.) Write it in your own words.

Usually, when reminded of this, students would be able to get through summary points very easily.

Day 3 - 12/2/09

Today was a half day. John Hagelin gave a lecture in the morning and there were not a lot of students. We didn't have small groups today.

Day 2 - 12/1/09

Today most questions were solved, without the input of a TA, by the students in small groups. There was only one question that required assistance that was above my level of Physics. Micheal Korin solved this problem.

Day 1 - 11/30/09

Today on the first day of Class. As a TA I observed a few teaching methods. The first method was tell them everything you know about the subject until they think that you've answered them. The method that I used was different. As I am interested in these students actually retaining this information.

When asked by a student for an answer to a question I asked them in response "What do you know already?" Just through this act of inquiry the student realized that they had enough information, combined with summary points, to answer the problem on their own.