Competency 004
DOMAIN I-DESIGNING INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT TO PROMOTE STUDENT
LEARNING
The teacher understands learning processes and factors that
impact student learning and demonstrates this knowledge by planning effective,
engaging instruction and appropriate assessments.
Defense
Four main factors that impact student learning were examined over
the course of this semester. I examined my preconceptions, poverty,
myths, and behavior. Preconceptions are prior views of a person or
situation prior to experiencing it. At times, preconceptions can help
or hinder a learning situation. Poverty was also examined for its impact
on learning. Most people believe that there is only one type of poverty,
but the truth of the matter is that there are several types of poverty that
may affect a learning situation. Teachers to deal with many situations
in the learning environment also form myths, but it is a very scary thing
when a teacher learns that their myth is not true at all. Along with
preconceptions, poverty, and myths, I took a deep look at how behavior can
threaten the learning environment.
By looking at Joanna’s case study, I realized that I too have a preconception
of the way things should be and when they don’t turn out the way I want I
get stressed. I have preconceptions of all my students before they
enter my room. My preconceptions are formed by other teachers’ responses,
the way they behave and the people they hang out with. I now see that
my preconceptions often hinder my students because I don’t think they are
capable and I often see them as having a negative identity. To work
on my preconceptions, I have now made a conscious decision to not form any
opinions of students prior to getting to know them. I refuse to listen
to teachers discuss students I do not have because it shapes my opinion of
the student and may cause biases.
I also examined poverty as a factor in the learning environment. Students
often are recognized as having low-income poverty, but it is rare to look
at the other types of poverty that many of our students experience.
Examining poverty has made such a change in the way I view my students.
Students are impoverished by delayed emotional development, problems with
mental development, lack of support, physical ailments, lack of spiritual
background, lack of relationships, and lack of culture. A student may
not be able to bring supplies and that will affect their learning, but looking
at the other factors that can inhibit their learning is essential.
My students bring their home life to the classroom. I have students
who are not surrounded by friends or family and they support themselves.
My students who support themselves need to be encouraged that they can make
it and they also need the sense of family and comradory from others.
You can imagine the difficulty during the holiday season that many of the
students may feel. Acknowledging the impoverished relationships and
support groups helps to see how a student might need some other types of
activities added to their curriculum. All the types of poverty must be kept
in mind when teaching students. Sometimes a teacher may have to meet
one of the impoverished needs to provide a proper learning situation for
a student. I know that I am now keeping food in my desk and I am mindful
of the students who may need a cracker to help them to learn. By meeting
the students lower level needs, I can help them obtain the ability to think
(Maslow’s idea).
Sometimes, I can be fooled into thinking everything is perfect and my students
are wonderful. The fact is that there are many myths that I have talked
myself into believing to make my job more glorious. Teaching is not
glorious and it is hard work. Students misbehave and they certainly
have to be dealt with. During this course I discovered a number of
myths that I still fall prey to. I believe that this course has helped
me look at the reality that I am in and to realize how my myths truly can
prevent me from being the best teacher for my students’ learning.
Behavior is another factor that was examined for its impact on student learning.
Students cannot learn as well when they feel threatened. It is my job,
as a teacher, to provide a safe affective environment for my students to
learn in. I never really thought about some of the ways that students
may not feel safe in an environment. Usually, I look to see what is
in my room to see what might make the environment unsafe, but I have completely
neglected the outside factors that may inhibit a safe environment.
Gangs, bullies, and other types of outside factors never even crossed my
mind. After having looked at the Bully Case Study, I was able to look
at my students as they came into the room and be more aware as to what was
influencing their behaviors and preventing them from learning. Despite
strict district policies in regard to gangs and other threatening activity,
the fact is that many behaviors continue off campus, outside of the school’s
control.
Samples: