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Current Understanding (December 2007): Without good communication, our instructional strategies, assessment techniques, classroom management, and many other aspects of the learning environment we create will be less effective. Communication is key. My beliefs about communication have changed very little over the last semester, but they have continued to intensify as to how important communication really is. In today's world, people need to know how to communicate verbally, nonverbally, through various technologies and media, and in written form. In order to help students down the road, it is essential that we model good and effective communication skills in our classrooms. I have included several artifacts that touch on various parts of this standard. The first is a reflection on technology use in the classroom as well as a lesson plan that highlights a technology-driven lesson. When using technology such as graphing calculators, it is important to use appropriate technical and mathematical terms, and design the lesson so that the technology enriches the learning experience for the students. I have also included a paper that discusses reading and writing in the math classroom. I used one of the strategies it discusses this semester as we implemented a vocabulary notebook where students record math vocabulary words and definitions. Finally, I would like to highlight the service learning reflection from the Homework Help program. In this short journal, I reflect on a conflict that occurred with a student and the listening techniques I used to help to resolve that conflict. It demonstrates the need for effective listening skills and highlights how important it is to be able to communicate effectively with students. August 2007 Understanding: I am a firm believer that our world is driven by communication, and therefore it is probably one of the most important skills that a teacher should have. Our students will learn in our classrooms if we can effectively communicate a topic to them. This can be difficult sometimes in a math classroom because many math words are not commonly used outside of a math classroom. Therefore, we must be able to read the body language of our students to determine if they are understanding how we are communicating a certain topic to them. If it is not being effectively communicated, then we must try another approach. There is more detailed information about this in my paper on reading and writing in math classrooms listed as one of my artifacts for this standard. The good news is that media and technology allow for us to present topics in several different ways. It is important to utilize media and technology where appropriate, but we must be sure that this technology is enhancing the student's experience, not detracting from the lesson at hand. It may be difficult to determine if a different medium will enhance a student's experience, so we must evaluate after the class session and continuously learn new and better ways to incorporate these technologies. Another important part of communication is listening. Oftentimes when we think about communication, we are thinking about talking, presenting, and discussing. We oftentimes forget that there is power in listening. It is important that we listen to what our students are saying and respond appropriately. Finally, nonverbal body language is another important means of communication. When students walk into our classroom, we will oftentimes know how they are feeling based on how they are holding themselves up that day and by the expression on their face. It is important that we maintain a positive nonverbal position for our students so they know that we are excited to be in class with them and are excited to teach them about the next topic. This also helps foster a safe and inviting learning environment. Baseline Understanding: I believe that communication is important regardless of your profession. It is extremely important that we have open communication lines between ourselves and our students, as well as between ourselves are our students’ parents. This link helps to build trust, which is an essential factor in fostering these relationships. Also, as professionals, it is important that the faculty and staff can communicate effectively in school with each other, whether it is for brainstorming new ideas or reacting appropriately to violence within the school. Return to Standard 6 |
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(507) 625-8256 l karipratt@charter.net |
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