What have you learned in this class? What is your most valuable experience?

First, I’d like to mention that the entire experience was a valuable one. This class has opened my eyes to a world of possibilities I had no idea of. Second, what I’m walking away with from this class is a comprehensive understanding of the different lesson plans, like the Behaviorist Lesson Plan and the Constructivist Lesson Plan. Actually, creating a Lesson Plan was fun, but challenging. The most straight forward Lesson Plan was the Behaviorist Lesson Plan, and I kind of liked it like that. It was neat and organized, and right to the point. The Constructivist Lesson Plan was a little too broad for me and asked for specifics in the most odd of categories, like the grouping of students and materials. I also learned a lot about learning methods, like Inquiry-Based Learning and Cooperative/Collaborative Learning. Inquiry-Based Learning is based on the students own motivation to be inquisitive. While Cooperative/Collaborative Learning is based on the students need to interact in groups and to work together as a team. I learned that even though there are different types of lesson plans and learning methods going on, that one doesn’t just have to stick to the book at all times of the learning process. It will actually benefit the students more if these elements are mixed and matched and used appropriately when dealing with specific learning outcomes. They all have their place, and one is in no way better than the other. It all depends on how effectively they are used. I learned what a large role technology plays in the educational system now. I still remember when it was all done by hand, turning in a hard copy of the assignment, getting it graded, working with a group of your peers in the same classroom. Now, with the Telecollaborative lessons students work together in groups via the internet. The students are grouped online and work together using e-mails, chat rooms, instant messaging, from all around the country, and even the world. And I thought it was cool when two different classrooms merged together for a group activity. I learned how to really put myself out there, through blogs and digital stories, and how to network using the World Wide Web. LiveText was a great tool and worth every penny. My blog, Becoming a Teacher Is Hard Work, is based on all of my Reflections and is a great way to share with everyone my experiences in learning to become a teacher. It’s also chock full of tasty morsels of information. Like I said, the overall experience in my EME 2040 class has been a valuable one. I learned so many traditional aspects of becoming a teacher, like lesson planning, to some not-so-traditional aspects, like teaching a class online or creating and organizing my grade book. I go out into the world today a little more prepared for my duties as an educator and a little more technologically savvy.