TE 808 Reflection

The action research has been a very beneficial project for me professionally and I recommend it to all teachers wherever they are at in their career. This project has influenced my teaching practice by allowing me to understand the connection between teaching and learning. It is important that in order to move forward professionally in education I need to never be complacent with my teaching practice and never stop learning.

After taking TE 808 I have learned that I am a reflective practitioner, or at least try to be. As a reflective practitioner I need to always be trying to find new ways to connect the content to my students. By doing this I can prepare my students for real world by instilling certain skills, such as being creative, social, and solve problems. I’ve learned that every student is different and that they have their own special skills that need to be fostered and developed in the classroom, not smashed. I do not want to create little robots that all have the same ideas or have the same outlook on the world.

I have also learned that my students want and need to be challenged each and every day. They also want to work together to solve complex problems and that they need to be taught certain social skills that will allow to work collaboratively in groups not only in school, but in the real world.

In future MATC courses I have learned how to read and digest complex research articles and interpret data that will help me not only in classes but professionally as well. I will also take with me the process of writing a professional paper. I think too many educators do not view themselves as professionals (by the way they dress, act, and think) and I think it is important that we view ourselves that way.

 The most challenging part of TE808 and I think any class at this time is balancing the classwork with the school work (balancing being a student and a teacher). The energy and effort it takes to be effective at both is tough, but is something that is necessary to become better professionally. What has been beneficial is that it has forced me to take the time to look inward at my teaching practice. This class gave me the opportunity to explore and test out practices that I have wanted to try in my classroom.

If a colleague wanted to take TE 808 I would tell them to be prepared to work hard and put a lot of effort forth. Which should be a given for any type of course. The collaboration and exposure to new technology and techniques is very useful.