Global Achievement Gap
1. Strengths
I believe I currently employ the skill of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in my classroom. While I do each of the skills listed in the chapter, my strongest is finding ways for encourage my students to forge critical, nuanced perspectives on a variety of topics. I also love to give assignments that have multiple paths to the final destination, because it encourages problem solving. I definitely scaffold for all my students until I've gathered what their skill set is regarding these actions, but then I individually assess how to scaffold (or withdraw scaffolding) for each student.
I also push Effective Oral and Written Communication so my students can adequately explain themselves in their work. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving are great but we need to give our students the appropriate outlets to disseminate their information.
2. Impact on Environment
Half of our building was decimated by smoke damage this summer, so I am not allowed to be in my classroom at all for the first month or two of the school year. Since we don't have any extra space, I need to buy a cart to transport my belongings from room to room as other teachers have their prep periods. Additionally, because half the school is dangerous and not usable, we are running on an Alternate Days schedule, where I'll only see my students face-to-face every other day. Due to all of this, I will need to improve my ability to Collaborate Across Networks. Before this disaster, I was using technology as a tool to extend learning or provide scaffolding, now it needs to become my primary method of teaching until the school district finishes cleaning the school. It's going to be hard because teaching online is the exact opposite style of me as a teacher, so I guess I'll need to find ways to be more effective at Collaborating Across Networks.
I believe I currently employ the skill of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in my classroom. While I do each of the skills listed in the chapter, my strongest is finding ways for encourage my students to forge critical, nuanced perspectives on a variety of topics. I also love to give assignments that have multiple paths to the final destination, because it encourages problem solving. I definitely scaffold for all my students until I've gathered what their skill set is regarding these actions, but then I individually assess how to scaffold (or withdraw scaffolding) for each student.
I also push Effective Oral and Written Communication so my students can adequately explain themselves in their work. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving are great but we need to give our students the appropriate outlets to disseminate their information.
2. Impact on Environment
Half of our building was decimated by smoke damage this summer, so I am not allowed to be in my classroom at all for the first month or two of the school year. Since we don't have any extra space, I need to buy a cart to transport my belongings from room to room as other teachers have their prep periods. Additionally, because half the school is dangerous and not usable, we are running on an Alternate Days schedule, where I'll only see my students face-to-face every other day. Due to all of this, I will need to improve my ability to Collaborate Across Networks. Before this disaster, I was using technology as a tool to extend learning or provide scaffolding, now it needs to become my primary method of teaching until the school district finishes cleaning the school. It's going to be hard because teaching online is the exact opposite style of me as a teacher, so I guess I'll need to find ways to be more effective at Collaborating Across Networks.
Wow! Talk about a way to force you into creating change in your classroom & the way you teach! I cannot imagine! I think this will be a good learning experience for you, and if you enter into it (as you seem to be doing) with a positive outlook, I think you will expand your skillset & be able to discover a whole new way of doing things!
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