Magen Goforth

This module gave a clear insight into how important it is to understand the types of questions you ask, how they impact your students, how the way you word the question can have an impact, and how a student's learning can be impacted.  I paid some attention to this before, but I will ensure that I have a variety of questions structured differently and will ensure I'm more inclusive in how I ask questions in a group setting.

I found the section of this module on dealing with crisis management in others to be the most applicable. I found that the information was helpful and even gained a feeling of calm while working through the content. We must remind ourselves that everyone has something going on at some point. We don't always need to have an opinion on the situation. We can lend a listening ear or shoulder of support. I loved the recommendation of keeping a calm voice and simply following up. Those two things have a huge impact. Following up with someone shows a commitment and… >>>

One takeaway from this module that I believe will help me in the classroom is understanding that no matter the mistake that is made, you have to dwell on it. Being aware of commonly made mistakes will help us, new instructors, avoid making them. Another takeaway that will help me is showing my students that I'm here to empower them, not defeat them. I want to ensure that my student's first impression is that of support, not power. I clearly outline outcomes and objectives with a clear understanding of deadlines. Still, I also let them know that if they are… >>>

The section of this module that I found to be most applicable was monitoring the classroom. The eight suggestive steps of creating a positive learning environment, keeping problems small, reinforcing positive student behavior, keeping students on task, maintaining a strong connection with every student, helping students focus on learning outcomes, removing learning barriers, and providing more individual instruction could all be applied in my classroom. Understanding that monitoring student behavior is intended to help you respond to behavior, not police it. Understanding this concept will help reduce the potential for inappropriate behavior.

This module provided helpful tips on engaging and managing inattentive students, blaming "others" students, and apple-polishing students effectively so that you can continue to manage your classroom. Building positive relationships with your students, setting clear expectations, and using proactive approaches to prevent disruptive behavior are essential for maintaining control of our classrooms. I liked the suggestion of standing beside the inattentive students without causing a scene and the one minute essays. 

I often find the first day of class as awkward as most students. Each year, it gets easier and less awkward. As an icebreaker, I have my students guess what the other students are doing in the studying. We start with each person providing their name, and that's it. They then decided what program each student was studying and a hobby they thought they had. I challenge them to get creative with it. After everyone was done, we started reading them. By the time we are done, we are laughing at the assumptions. Each student then tells about their program… >>>

This module helped me to accept that burnout is normal and nothing to be ashamed of. I often hold myself to an unobtainable standard for fear of failure. This module provided helpful ways to avoid burnout. The one I found most interesting and would have never thought to do was to schedule downtime. I also enjoyed the reminder of forming habits by setting up a 21-day routine. I plan to schedule a ten-minute zen session in my office between my long lab classes. 

I enjoyed this module because it reinforces our control over our classrooms regarding students with behavioral issues. It is vital to understand how to control and diffuse situations before they get to a state of disruption or danger. As we know, some students are disruptive as a way to deflect from other issues or as a way to get attention. Identifying the difference is significant when addressing the behavior. Also, being able to recognize that the discipline approach will be different depending on the structure of the class you are teaching. I do not handle similar situations the same way… >>>

This module gave great tips on identifying one's teaching style and helped me find ways to adapt my teaching style to a guided approach if it's not my most used style. I liked learning that having more than one teaching approach is normal because I use the controller and guide interchangeably. Truly, it depends on the content I'm teaching and which approach I use most. In lab settings, I would say that I use the controller approach first to set the standards, then move to a guided approach. 

I enjoyed the reminder that implementing stress reducers such as exercise, breathing techniques, exercise, and proper sleep significantly impacts our overall health and ability to manage our stress. Even hydration plays a large part in managing stress. Implementing moments to apply these reducers in the classroom helps to improve the student's learning environment. I take the first two minutes of class to implement a quick breathing exercise and always provide access to water and healthy snacks. Ensuring my students are in the best mental state to start our lesson has helped reduce distractedness and inattentiveness.