It doesn’t
feel like the last day of classes. I still have so much to do! Today’s class was
helpful. As we were sitting in the freezing classroom, we heard 5 past MACers
talk about their experiences. It’s nice to hear from teachers from all
different types of schools: public, private, charter, other. The “other” was
interesting. It was interesting how all these schools vary. I wonder what
school type of school I’ll end up in, and I wonder if I’ll have much to compare
it to. I really liked the idea of using cell phones for taking polls in class,
although I don’t know how I feel about cell phone use in class at all. I’ll
have to set some expectations right off the bat. What really surprised me is
the way they spoke about technology. A couple of our guest speakers talked
about teaching students how to use the technology. I never thought about that.
In a way, I figured they’d know how to use it, and we were being taught
technology to keep up with them. It’s not that they don’t know how to use the
technology, it’s that they might not know how to use it for the purpose of the
assignment that is given. I didn’t grow up with Google, it came after I was
already in college. So I was old enough to learn how to use it for what I need,
as well as anything that it gives me, I know I can read. It’s just something to
think about, something to plan for. Mental note stored.
The second
part of the class was… uncomfortable. We were in a cramped room, and the
discussion was, well, not productive. I was surprised at how critical people
had been of class. I’m not sure if I just haven’t talked to those people, or my
blog cohort doesn’t post about it, or what. I was just surprised to hear that
people were being harsh. It scares me. What will my students think of my
teaching and my choices? I put a lot of work into what I’m doing, so if I work
hard on something, and I’m being judged negatively, I don’t know how much of that
I could handle. I don’t mind skepticism or questioning my methods, but… I don’t
know. I guess that’s not the way I wanted this class to end. However, I do look
forward to continuing this class in the fall and learning more techie things.
