EDUC 533 - Best Practices Research

One of the best practices that I came across in my search was from Teaching Today (http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/subject/meeting_ms_standards.phtml). It mentioned a strategy where the focus is on the student (student centered learning) and how the students should self-monitor themselves in their learning throughout any given day. By assessing themselves frequently, it allows the students to be more conscious of what they are taking in and what they still need to digest. I have a real life example for this type of learning where one of the science teachers that I work with currently does this with her students at least once a day. She uses smiley faces to determine students' feelings towards how they feel about the lesson that day. If a student feels confident about the material then he/she would draw a happy smiley face in a planner. If a student feels like he/she understood a lot of what was going on that day, but didn't grasp the entire picture, then the student would draw a smiley face that was neutral. Lastly, if the student felt like he/she was lost, then the student would draw a sad face. Overall, I believe by checking in with the students throughout the period is a great way to gauge where they are at, and more importantly have them check in and be honest with themselves.

About Me

Hello!

My name is Joe and I'm originally from the great mile high city of Denver, Colorado! I am very sports and outdoors oriented and enjoy the great scenery that it has to offer! I received my Bachelor's at Colorado State University in Health and Exercise Science and didn't really use my degree for a set career path, but instead turned towards K-12 education and therefore pursuing my Master's and license. One of my biggest dreams in this life is to become an NBA head coach down the road after accruing a winning culture in my practice as a coach at other levels of the game. My overall vision for becoming an educator goes beyond the classroom; where students will never forget my teachings and will practice what lessons I give them so that they can carry them wherever life takes them (things that just go beyond grades and tests).