Standard 5
The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues
View all my artifacts for Standard 5
Reflection 2016:
The teacher understands and is able to build and connections for students, by having them look at things through different perspectives, as a method of comprehension. Teachers engage and interact with students through critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving, and will relate academic lessons to the reality of local and global issues.
As a preservice teacher, one thing that I have learned the the importance of perspective. I have been taught that having the ability to step back and analyze and connect concepts based on the perspective of the student is key. I have learned that if a teacher is engaging their students using a variety of methods/tools, using real world examples, the students will be more receptive, because they are able to relate it to their own lives. For example, when I was in high school, I knew that when I became a teacher, I did not want to have a concentration in math (specifically geometry), I was reluctant to learn lessons such as using the Pythagorean Theorem. I believe when this is the case, when creativity comes into play. I think when a teacher is able to put a creative twist on a lesson, children will understand it better. For example, going outside and using side walk chalk to draw triangles, and then having students measure the lengths of each side and the angles, is a more productive way to teach a lesson (on the Pythagorean Theorem), then having a teacher stand in the front of the classroom lecturing. This way students are being introduced to a lesson, and are able to have a hands on experience; in my experience, I have come to see that when students are routinely given the opportunity to be participants in their own education, they are more likely to give the teacher their undivided attention.
As a preservice teacher, in today’s world, I have recognized that one, but very big limitation that I will run into, stems from discussing I many different local and global events. There are some many different beliefs and opinions about each subject, and while discussing different events, you need to keep in mind that not every person will agree with you—it also not the point. I believe that this is a direct relationship to the critical thinking aspect of this standard. Critical thinking, is being able to make reasoned judgments that are logical and well thought out. Critical thinking does not just allow us to It is simply accept all arguments and conclusions, instead it is allowing and forcing students to become well informed, and have the ability to create their own stance, and beliefs.
As a teacher, based on my interpretation of this standard, my goal is to; help aid my students to become insightful and encourage them to keep an open mind, while growing and learning. What I mean is that there will be times in their lives, that they will be working and collaborating with others, and they have to have the ability to work with and even compromise with others. For this very reason, in my classroom, I will enforce a sense of flexibility in my students. I want my students to be able to accomplish anything that is thrown at them, and I think in order to do this, you have to be able to step back and see it through the eyes of another. I fully believe that the best type of learning is done when a student sees their own growth; when they push themselves into a challenge, when they form and shape their own opinions, and when they are able to connect and form relationships with others.