Assessment

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 I think over the course of this semester and my time observing and helping out in the classroom, one of the biggest things I've learned is how much more complicated teaching is than I thought. It isn't just teachers reading a lesson plan and grading. It's so much more intricate than that. Teacher's have to cater those lesson plans to state standards. They have to make sure their lessons plans line up with other teachers. They may have to adjust those lessons plans to meet the needs of their students. They have to IDENTIFY the needs of their students. They have to uphold standards, but be flexible. Teaching is so much more fluid than I thought.

The process of blogging throughout the semester has been... frustrating. I'm pretty bad at articulating things I've experiences. But it has helped me stay mindful, especially regarding my own learning. Even in my other college classes, I've caught myself observing my professors more than the actual class content! I've been trying to identify things that we've learned as they apply to higher education as well.

I think my biggest area of growth has been IN observation. Particularly, being able to watch what a teacher is doing and being able to determine WHY they are doing it. I've sort of learned that very little a teacher does in a classroom is unintentional. Even little things like making a joke with students helps them build a relationship that may make their teaching more effective. 


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