WRozycki

Web Quest:            WebQuest is a computer based teaching and learning method allowing for students to actively participate in the learning process. They are usually long and extensive projects that will keep students actively challenged by searching the web and other resources. Usually created by teachers, a good WebQuest can cover any topic of choice for example there are hundreds WebQuests available online using topics such as history, math, literature, etc. They consist of eight primary categories: introduction, task, process, resources, evaluation, and conclusion. Usually WebQuest can be made in any word processor program such as Microsoft Word and then saved as an internet website to access online. Each WebQuest will be maintained as an internet webpage. As a future educator I would to create some various WebQuest covering topics I would normally cover in class. Also I will look to post mine for public use so others will be able to use and hope they will return the favor. If used correctly they can be a great way for students to learn interactively and not just through the basic lecture. In short WebQuest are interactive lesson plans and projects for students to learn in a challenging and fun way.

A valuable bit of information for all teachers to know is Bloom’s Taxonomy.  Bloom’s Taxonomy is the breakdown or categorization of ordered thinking skills and learning objectives.  This taxonomy of learning can be broken down into three main domains; Cognitive or thinking, Affective Domain in which deals with the emotions of people and lastly the Psychomotor Domain which concentrates on the physical abilities of students. Associated with each domain are valuable verbs to be used when looking deeper into a student’s knowledge and goals.  Teachers will use these verbs when formulating lesson plans and evaluating a student’s performance.  For example the Cognitive Domain uses verbs like recall, apply, asses, develop and etc.  Teachers will look to see if students can recall knowledge from a given assignment and be able to use or apply that same knowledge in other areas of the classroom. Bloom’s Taxonomy is important for teachers to refer to when educating the young minds of today.

http://www.easybib.com/

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/

     Especially at the younger grade levels for example kindergarten through sixth grade, should group learning be incorporated into the teaching methods of all teachers. Not only should teachers look to implement group projects in and out of the classroom but they should consider setting up their classroom in groups for everyday purposes. During regular instruction time students would be able to help each other out where needed on a more subtle way. For example when in groups one student might be able to explain a problem in way for the student to understand better than the teacher can. Sometimes it’s easier to learn from your peers than from the way of the teacher whereas the teacher would have to set up one on one time that could very be difficult to schedule. Beyond the academic side of group learning, students will also learn to corporate and get along with others. They will build social skills and most importantly create a comfortable learning environment not only for themselves but for the teacher as well.

     Students are encouraged from their parents/guardians to bring home good grades and schools encourage their students to excel in more areas than just academics for example athletics, school plays, and other extracurricular activities.  However what is expected of today’s youth from their community? The answer is simple; society wants good standing members of the community.  Luckily for the community, schools are now encouraging their students to take part in volunteer efforts within the community such as food drives, “Breakfast with Santa” fundraisers, cleaning the playground across the street and etc.  Through the implementation of service learning projects in schools, our students are now excelling in and out of the classroom.  Schools are planning class trips to Nursing Homes while teachers are offering extra credit to those helping out with weekend events that serve the community like food drives.  Without being paid for it, more kids are putting the extra time in to help out someone else who needs it.  These service learning projects are becoming more and more prevalent in our schools today and the positive message of helping others is important.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster

Will help read between the lines covering various topics of discussion.

Pocket Oxford Spanish Dictionary (3rd Edition) by Oxford University Press

Spanish to English/English to Spanish translation dictionary

A Writer’s Reference (6th Edition) by Diana Hacker

A good source of valuable information concerning writing papers, thesis construction, citations, and other various punctuation.  VERY HELPFUL.

     Growing up, I was like any other kid, couldn’t wait until the 3 o’clock bell to ring on the last day of school.  The summer days of waking up when I wanted, not worried about a test the next day, and not having any homework were amazing.  Those three months of summer fun flew by but at the sametime felt like eternity.

     The anticipation grew as the school year ended, but it didn’t feel that way when I first started college.  Through various classes and field experience, I found out what it was like to be in the classroom as a teacher and the experience was eye opening.  It was then I realized I wanted to be a teacher. But I wasn’t going to be a teacher for myself but for the thousands of kids I have the oppurtunity to meet and impact.  I want to see the smile on their faces when they pass a test, to see them succeed and move on, and greatly see them appreciate the power of obtaining an education.  In an interview with a teacher, I asked her why did she want to be a teacher and she said, “because a teacher is the profession of all professions.” She saw teachers as the gateway and path to all other professions. Teacher are there to give the knowledge it takes to achieve all goals and when I’m ready to step infront of the classroom of my own class I will remeber why I’m there with there.