too much caffeine?
Aye aye aye- I did not sleep well last night at all. I woke up about 15 times and that is not a hyperbole! In between the wakings I was dreaming about teaching and explaining this article that was assigned to my undergrads. I know that today will be a tricky day in discussion. I have chance to talk about a topic which I hope gets these students to really think about something. This ends up making me really nervous as I really want them to get the big picture and really examine these issues w/ their thinking caps on. I don't want to confuse them, or lead them astray, but I hope that they really get it.
I guess this is a good thing that I am back to caring how well the students learn to think and examine issues with a critical mind. Earlier in the semester my bad attitude got the best of me, and I was like why should I care how well they do or don't do? That is really not an efficient way to enter a classroom. I don't have any grandiose expectations about 'changing the world' (I've had far too many students that I've tried to motivate and teach who haven't really cared or tried- to think that) but I hope I can get these students to understand the importance of science in general, being objective and analyzing ideas critically. Not just accepting what is being taught verbadum but asking questions about where, how and what?!
I wrote the above this morning, and I think the discussions went ok. Although, I need to learn a better way to get students to participate more. I usually break them up into groups and have them answer a subset of questions and then report back to the whole class. Today I let them choose that or talk in a large group, but few actually said much. How do I get them to talk more without calling on individuals?
I also wore my new sandals today, as it is the first day of spring! My sister said they were a bit ridiculous because they make me taller then my already 5 ft 11 1/2 inches that I am, but they were fun. Of course it was still 30 some degrees here so tommorrow I guess the shoes will win out. Come on Spring!
I guess this is a good thing that I am back to caring how well the students learn to think and examine issues with a critical mind. Earlier in the semester my bad attitude got the best of me, and I was like why should I care how well they do or don't do? That is really not an efficient way to enter a classroom. I don't have any grandiose expectations about 'changing the world' (I've had far too many students that I've tried to motivate and teach who haven't really cared or tried- to think that) but I hope I can get these students to understand the importance of science in general, being objective and analyzing ideas critically. Not just accepting what is being taught verbadum but asking questions about where, how and what?!
I wrote the above this morning, and I think the discussions went ok. Although, I need to learn a better way to get students to participate more. I usually break them up into groups and have them answer a subset of questions and then report back to the whole class. Today I let them choose that or talk in a large group, but few actually said much. How do I get them to talk more without calling on individuals?
I also wore my new sandals today, as it is the first day of spring! My sister said they were a bit ridiculous because they make me taller then my already 5 ft 11 1/2 inches that I am, but they were fun. Of course it was still 30 some degrees here so tommorrow I guess the shoes will win out. Come on Spring!
posted by B @ Monday, March 20, 2006
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