"I have been wondering about what I am going to do as a teacher. Though I do know a lot about technology, there is a lot that I am unsure about. I am worried about using technology only for the sake of using it. I am not necessarily a technology minded person, but I do know that technology is a very important teaching tool for my students. I am just trying to think about more that I can do in my English Classes"To Hayley and others feeling this way -- don't worry and don't be overwhelmed! Rome wasn't conquered in a day! Elephants aren't eaten in one bite! (and on, and on, insert your favorite cliche here). Seriously, you don't need to become a master at every technology to be successful. Rather, first recognize that technology IS valuable, and then make a decision each summer as you look ahead to your school year to ponder what educational technologies might help your new students. The technologies you use may change from year to year, and maybe you'll only learn one or two new technologies each year -- but if they are good ones, those tools will still be valuable.
Roxana has a thoughtful post about our discussion of Christ as the perfect teacher. She says that
"I thought that it was interesting that in class today we talked about Christ as the perfect example of a perfect teacher and why. He was the teacher that I would like to be. He taught the people simply and built upon their previous knowledge so that they could follow along. He taught line upon line, precept upon precept. I will not be able to expect that all my students will be able to understand everything at the same time. I will need to take my teaching at a pace that they can follow and build on their past knowledge.Jill continues with her thoughts on this discussion:
He was also a very patient teacher. This is also something that I will need to do in order to become a good teacher. A lot of times the people that he taught didn't understand what he said, but he didn't yell at them or tell them they should've been paying attention. He just loved them and tried to teach them again. I need to be patient with the students that don't understand what I teach right away. I need to have patience and continue to try and teach them.
It is also important for me to love all my students. Christ loved everyone, even those who messed up and he didn't hold it against them. I need to do the same thing. Even if a student drives me crazy I can't hold it against them for the rest of the semester or always think of that student as the difficult one. I need to love that student anyways.
These are just different thoughts that I had about the discussion that we had in class today."
"I really enjoyed our discussion in class yesterday. I researched it a little more deeply and here are some of my thoughts:
"What manner of teachers ought we to be?" If we are to become like Christ and to be successful teachers, we must emulate him as a teacher and as our savior. Some qualities of a Master Teacher are:
Faith- We must have faith in ourselves, that we can accomplish our ideals with a lot of work and some divine assistance. We also must have faith in our students. All too often, students and people in general rise (or fall) to the level of expectation placed on them. It is like a self-fulfilling prophecy. If we show our students that we expect great things of them, they will be more willing to do so, and develop faith in themselves.
Virtue - It can become a teacher's greatest ally and source of strength. Christ was virtuous in every sense of the word. A virtuous teacher is kind, true to their purpose, loyal to themself and their students, will not permit wrong, seeks after the "virtuous, lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy", is respectful (and respected). Though we cannot teach the gospel in our classrooms, we can be an example of what we believe and thus create a spirit of learning and unity that will bless.
Knowledge - The Savior has a perfect knowledge of everything he teaches. We should also "seek learning even by study and also by faith". Teachers must be ever learning in both spiritual and secular matters in order to be effective. It is always comforting to me to remember, "blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness . . ."
Temperance and Patience - I'm sure there will be days when we feel like our classes are in utter chaos and the walls are falling down around us. Temperance and patience lend the composure and calm that we will need to know that things will work out. If we keep working at it and plead for the Lord's help, things will be ok. Temperance and patience also help us to remain focused on our goals and what is most important. Perhaps the most important help that these virtues confer is to be patient and understanding of others and their faults.
Kindness and Charity - Christ taught that we should love all men - even the annoying, the difficult, and the contentuous ones. "Charity seeketh not her own", but rather the greater good and edification of others. This is at the very heart of the work and calling of a teacher.
Teaching is difficult, and even painful at times, but I think, that if we seek to be a Master Teacher, even as the Master is, it will be the most joyous work of all. "
Lindsay said
"I have learned a lot in all my classes but I feel like I have learned a lot in my technology class. I was thinking what I had learned after class today and I realized that I really have learned a lot about technology and how to intergrate it into my classroom. ... I hope that I have the accessibility to technology when I am a teacher."
I know a lot of you are worried about accessibility and wonder, "Yes, this is all good, but will I really have technology in my school?" Maybe, maybe not. I just interviewed a first-year student who graduated from BYU and is in Kansas. His first school had nothing, absolutely nothing. He is now transfering to a school that has lots of technology opportunities and is even issuing him a laptop. I think most of your schools will be in-between these extremes, but technology will be much more prevalent in the coming years so even if you don't have many computers and such yet, you may soon.
Great posts all!
