About Me
My name is Kimberly Wright and I am attending the University of South Alabama to obtain a degree in Elementary Education. I will be graduating in the Spring of 2011 with my bachelors. I plan to start my career as a teacher directly after getting my degree. While working I also plan to take courses to obtain my masters degree in Elementary Education.
I have wanted to be a teacher since I was just a kid. Every since I was young I always enjoyed teaching others. In addition, I have always had a passion for helping children. I feel that I can make a difference in my students and therefore make a difference in our future. I know that I will be very inolved with the school system and in activities for the students.
I have learned so much about teaching in the past semester and it has made me even more excited to get into the field. I cannot wait to have my own classroom and to be able to see my students improve.
I have wanted to be a teacher since I was just a kid. Every since I was young I always enjoyed teaching others. In addition, I have always had a passion for helping children. I feel that I can make a difference in my students and therefore make a difference in our future. I know that I will be very inolved with the school system and in activities for the students.
I have learned so much about teaching in the past semester and it has made me even more excited to get into the field. I cannot wait to have my own classroom and to be able to see my students improve.
Bringing My Class Into the 21st Century
Before this semester I was unaware of all the new tools and technology that I could use in the classroom. I was still stuck on the old fashioned way of teaching meaning, not technology in the classroom only pencil, paper, and art supplies. But now thanks to my EDM 310 course my eyes have been opened to a whole new way of teaching.
I have now been informed that classrooms are becoming more and more technologically based and I need to to be able to keep up with these new advances. After taking this course I plan to use technology as a major part of my classroom.
In order to bring and keep my classroom in the 21st century I plan to use new and upcoming technology. One device that I would like to use is the iPod touch. This device has many educational applications (apps) on them which the children would benefit from and enjoy. There is also another great resource called iTunes University. You access this in the iTunes store. iTunes University has many lectures and podcasts on it that I would love to assign my students for homework. By using iTunes University my students would have information from major college professors along with educational podcast on almost any subject.
In addition to using iPods and iTunes programs, I would also like my students to blog. I would have my students read assignments and then post their response on their blog page. Blogging to me is the new age was of writing a paper. Most students now days would rather type than write with pen and paper. Also, blogging allows students to interact with each other and even explore blogs from around the world.
Also, I would like to make podcasts or vodcasts of my lectures and assignments so my students could watch them when they need help. I know that I would have enjoyed having access to lecture at the push of a button. Now that is possible! The technology is here and I plan to use it. I would also have my students record their own podcast. Making a podcast is a great way to engage students in technology and it also allows them to work with their fellow classmates.
I feel that these are a good way to start bringing my class into the 21st century. I know that technology is an ever changing thing but I plan to continue my education and keep up with it every step of the way.
I have now been informed that classrooms are becoming more and more technologically based and I need to to be able to keep up with these new advances. After taking this course I plan to use technology as a major part of my classroom.
In order to bring and keep my classroom in the 21st century I plan to use new and upcoming technology. One device that I would like to use is the iPod touch. This device has many educational applications (apps) on them which the children would benefit from and enjoy. There is also another great resource called iTunes University. You access this in the iTunes store. iTunes University has many lectures and podcasts on it that I would love to assign my students for homework. By using iTunes University my students would have information from major college professors along with educational podcast on almost any subject.
In addition to using iPods and iTunes programs, I would also like my students to blog. I would have my students read assignments and then post their response on their blog page. Blogging to me is the new age was of writing a paper. Most students now days would rather type than write with pen and paper. Also, blogging allows students to interact with each other and even explore blogs from around the world.
Also, I would like to make podcasts or vodcasts of my lectures and assignments so my students could watch them when they need help. I know that I would have enjoyed having access to lecture at the push of a button. Now that is possible! The technology is here and I plan to use it. I would also have my students record their own podcast. Making a podcast is a great way to engage students in technology and it also allows them to work with their fellow classmates.
I feel that these are a good way to start bringing my class into the 21st century. I know that technology is an ever changing thing but I plan to continue my education and keep up with it every step of the way.
My Teaching Tools
There are many variables that go into making your classroom a success. You have to accomodate each child and learn the ways they can be successful. When my students enter my classroom I want them all to feel that they can succeed. I do not want any child to be afraid to make mistakes in my classroom.
As an upcoming teacher I have acquired many attitudes, approaches, and tools that I plan to use in my classroom.
1. There is no such thing as mistakes. I want to teach my students that it is ok to try and not to be afraid of making a mistake. I feel that as long as the student trys their hardest and puts forth the effort then they should be rewarded for their capabilities.
2. Be consistent in your rewards and punishment. I want to be a teacher who is consistent. I always disliked seeing the "bad" kid get punished for talking and then the "good" kid wouldn't get in trouble for doing the exact same bad behavior. The same goes for rewards, if you are going to reward a student for good work then you are going to have to reward EVERY student when they do good work.
3. Teach students to be technologically literate. By incorporating and using technology in the classroom students will have a better understanding for technology. Having a good understanding of technology is going to be very important when our students get out of school. Almost every job now requires computer skills and the demand is going to be even higher when our future students graduate.
4. Be respectful to your students. I am a firm believer of treating your students with respect. Although you are the one in charge of these kids does not mean you can disrespect them or their beliefs. There is nothing I dislike more than seeing a teacher disrespect her students. When the students feel disrespected they then have less respect for you as a teacher and are likely to not want to obey you.
5. Inspire students to be creative. I want to be an inspiration to my students and be able to get them excited about learning. I have come to find that if you, as a teacher, are passionate about what you are teaching then your students will be inspired to learn about that subject. Also, I want my students to WANT to be creative. I would like them to feel comfortable expressing themselves through their work.
6. Teach students to be open minded towards other cultures. I want to teach my students to accept everyone no matter what culture they are from. I plan to do this by incorporating lessons and activities based on the many types of cultures. I feel that if students learn to be accepting of people at a young age then they will be more successful when they get into the work place.
I want to incorporate all of the tools into my classroom on an everyday basis. I feel that by using these along with many other tools that my students will be well rounded and successful individuals.
As an upcoming teacher I have acquired many attitudes, approaches, and tools that I plan to use in my classroom.
1. There is no such thing as mistakes. I want to teach my students that it is ok to try and not to be afraid of making a mistake. I feel that as long as the student trys their hardest and puts forth the effort then they should be rewarded for their capabilities.
2. Be consistent in your rewards and punishment. I want to be a teacher who is consistent. I always disliked seeing the "bad" kid get punished for talking and then the "good" kid wouldn't get in trouble for doing the exact same bad behavior. The same goes for rewards, if you are going to reward a student for good work then you are going to have to reward EVERY student when they do good work.
3. Teach students to be technologically literate. By incorporating and using technology in the classroom students will have a better understanding for technology. Having a good understanding of technology is going to be very important when our students get out of school. Almost every job now requires computer skills and the demand is going to be even higher when our future students graduate.
4. Be respectful to your students. I am a firm believer of treating your students with respect. Although you are the one in charge of these kids does not mean you can disrespect them or their beliefs. There is nothing I dislike more than seeing a teacher disrespect her students. When the students feel disrespected they then have less respect for you as a teacher and are likely to not want to obey you.
5. Inspire students to be creative. I want to be an inspiration to my students and be able to get them excited about learning. I have come to find that if you, as a teacher, are passionate about what you are teaching then your students will be inspired to learn about that subject. Also, I want my students to WANT to be creative. I would like them to feel comfortable expressing themselves through their work.
6. Teach students to be open minded towards other cultures. I want to teach my students to accept everyone no matter what culture they are from. I plan to do this by incorporating lessons and activities based on the many types of cultures. I feel that if students learn to be accepting of people at a young age then they will be more successful when they get into the work place.
I want to incorporate all of the tools into my classroom on an everyday basis. I feel that by using these along with many other tools that my students will be well rounded and successful individuals.
