Field Experience Reflection EDUC 323 Instructional Strategies Dr. B.

Hicks Latycia Milton April 22, 2013

Throughout my matriculation at Claflin University and completing my field experience, this by far has been the most advocating experience perusing my career and studies as a Mathematics Education major. I feel as if I have grown professionally as a result of my field experience for the Spring 2013 course: Instructional Strategies on several aspects. I am aware of the different ways to handle all situations, therefore it directed me in the right path to develop my teaching strategies, and most importantly, it has prepared me for my student teaching. Furthermore, it is imperative for me to be prepared for all types of disruptions and distractions. During my observation, I noticed that the students were very talkative, loud, and careless to what was being taught. Incidents like these made me stop, realize, and think of the different ways I would go about handling the different situations. Seeing those things also made me rethink my classroom management to add more on handling disruption, disobedience, and how I should handle the spontaneous situations. Most importantly, I need to be aware of who I am. Being aware of the type of person I am will help me to better know and understand my students. Knowing myself will also keep me aware of my surroundings and not let my personal views get in the way of my teaching towards my views and attitude towards my students. After observing Mrs. Knorrs classroom, I realized several things that I should do as a teacher that was not fully fulfilled in her classroom. A teacher should provide a productive and safe environment, which is conducive to learning. Students should be welcomed and feel a sense of belonging to the class community. Every student is just as important as the next. It is important for a teacher to help students become quality students and help them develop the characteristic traits of responsibility, trustworthiness, caring, and respect. I hope to spark enthusiasm for learning by creating engaging lessons to reach all types of learners. In order for

this to be effective, there will be a need to differentiate instruction, use multiple modalities, and technology. Having students work independently, in collaborative groups, and in pairs will create a student-centered or constructivist style classroom where students are active participants in their learning, which allows students to make a deeper connection to curriculum. There are several types of classroom structures, competitive, individualistic, and cooperative. In my classroom, I would like to use both individualistic and cooperative. Individualistic structure is when the learner perceives themselves as working for their own rewards and not concerned with the accomplishment of others. Cooperative structure, learners are working together with other students to gain reward and depend on the work of other students. Although the two components stated earlier are very important, I feel that preparing for my student teaching is the most important because it is a big asset that I will need to complete my degree here at Claflin University, and prepare me for teaching in my respective field of study. The first example is my parent student communication letter, although I did not send them out to the parents, it showed many insight on ways to communicate with the students parents or guardians to get them actively involved in their children learning and education. Another assignment I thought was most useful was writing a lesson plan and teaching it to a group of students. Using my microteaching video, I was able to get a feel for teaching an actual group of students. After reviewing my video, I was able to critique my teaching techniques and decipher what I could do to enhance my teaching and what could be removed to better my teaching techniques. In conclusion, I feel as if I have grown professionally as a result of this field experience because it helped me realize that I need to add more to my classroom management. I now know my role as a teacher better as far as handling different situations and knowing what I should and

should not do. Also discovered the different strategies I can use in my classroom to reach out to all students. However, I feel as if I am now more prepared for my student teaching in the classroom on my own.