Powerful Learning Experience
Think about a powerful learning experience you have had in your life. It could be something you learned in school, e.g. when you got an "aha" that multiplication tables were really patterns of numbers/groups, or outside of the classroom, e.g. when you learned to drive, or their grandmother taught you how to make tortillas. Do a Quick Write on your powerful learning experience and in the explanation also consider…what helped you to learn? Did you become an expert? If yes, how? What made it a powerful learning experience? After you post your powerful learning experience, read and comment on other posts from your cohort. Feel free to comment several times.
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I always struggled with math as a child. I would cry doing homework with my dad almost every night but he was always very patient with me. We went through a lot of paper and white out. However, in fourth grade something just clicked and math was all of a sudden a breeze. It was tough at the time but looking back it was a good thing because now I know what my students are going through that struggles with math.
ReplyDeleteLove that your dad helped you and was patient...Math is hard and gets so much tougher as you go...
DeleteI wish I had had a helper like your dad who stuck with you.
DeleteI struggled with Math as a child too!! I don't believe that it was the content however. I think it has to do with the instructors that I had. Looking back I was a tactile learner who struggled with engagement so boring teachers were the death of me!!!
DeleteYay for dads that were willing to do whatever it takes to help us through the hard times! Now math is a breeze :)
DeleteMath was difficult for me as well, and my dad helped me with my work too. I continued to struggle into high school. Wish I had an "aha moment" as well!
DeleteA few years ago a new administrator I made every effort to ensure that I was a resource for and provided support to my staff. I made sure systems were in place for everything from how students arrived to school, to informing my staff of current and updated instructional strategies. I quickly learned the difference between being a site manager and an instructional leader. As an instructional leader it is essential that you have a clear vision. Staff members need to believe that you 1). Know what curriculum they should be teaching and 2). that you follow through and provide guidance and professional development. You need to truly be the instructional leader.
ReplyDeleteThat is so powerful Sharon!! Honest feedback is like gold!!
DeleteI would rather get constructive feedback then continue walking in the dark not knowing how other people feel. Such a great way to reflect!
DeleteOne of the most powerful learning experiences that comes to mind takes me back to the seventh grade. We were studying the Italian Renaissance and as an assessment for demonstrating our knowledge of that time period, students were assigned a brochure project. I remember conducting further research and then having the time to create a beautiful hand-crafted brochure that required pictures and text. I remember taking shopping with my mom to purchase magazines with pictures that I could use for that project. We were then asked to present our travel brochure to the class. This experience planted a travel bug to Italy. - Yvette
ReplyDeleteI remember these types of projects as well. They solidified my love of the arts.
DeleteI also loved these types of projects. It allow some of my artistic side to come out!
DeleteI love doing projects in my math and science class, I think it's a great way to reach all kids.
DeleteI have had a couple powerful experiences that have shaped my life in a positive way. The one I share most is when I was going to Sacramento State University working on my degree in Criminal Justice. I was in my final year and I thought my career choice was going to be a probation officer. I was excited and believed this was what I was meant to do. So in my Probation class we toured Old Folsom Prison as part of a field trip to get us a real feel of the corrections field. About ten of us toured the facility; the correction officer gave us the ins and outs of the facility. He was very honest and forthcoming saying if you want to be a probation officer you must be a correction officer for at least two years. Needless to say I was shocked, so at the end of the tour the man put his hand on my shoulder and said “well son are you ready to be a correction officer” I simple said no, and that changed my career path forever. I now look back on this as a pivotal moment in my life and I am grateful for where I am today.
ReplyDeleteI commend you for making the decision to choose a different career path even after you were adamant about being a probation officer. I had a similar story when I was at San Diego State; I entered school with the determination of being a marine biologist, and realized quickly everything I would need to do before actually becoming a biologist. I was not willing to go through all of the pre-steps, and chose a different career path
DeleteYou're a celebrity Nick!! Thanks for all the cool stuff you do with SJRCC!!! Bam!!
DeleteMy powerful learning experience came when I worked my first day at my new school site. I realized very quickly that there is a hierarchy in education, and I am not on top. I had an encounter with a district rep, and basically was told that my students could not use the gen ed payground. I, being a student advocate, was not pleased with this information and started questioning the rep, asking for details so that I could relay the information to my administrator. What I realized later (when my administrator had to speak with me) is that I should have just said "Thank you" to the rep, and gone straight to my admin, letting him have any conversation about sharing the playground. This was a powerful learning experience because I strive to always be, in a sense, "perfect." This situation made me realize I am far from perfection and am going to make mistakes, especially early in the year, as I am a county special Ed teacher newly on a gened campus. I am absolutely not an expert with making campus connections, but am learning, and have created mainstreaming opportunities for several of my students.
ReplyDeleteCampus connections are very difficult! But you're doing a great job! :)
DeleteI don't know why it is so difficult to build those campus relationships, but I seem to run into similar situations. I get a lot of push back every single time I try to include my students with stuff on campus. I feel your pain.
DeleteJust keep at it, when they realize your not going to give up and you are trying to do right by your kiddos hopefully they will give a little bit at a time. :)
DeleteWhen I was a senior in high school, I was named a Sports Editor of our yearbook; everyone was overwhelmed by the responsibility of publishing a chronicle of our school year. In order to prepare us for all of the software, page layouts, collaborating, and meeting deadlines we went to a yearbook seminar in Monterey. During the third session, our advisor was going through the software and how to navigate it; once I was able to get on one of the computers I was able to play around and make it my own. I was interested in it and became invested in it, I wanted to be successful. Because of my interest, I became an expert - at the time - at using the software and publishing/editing double page spreads, formatting pictures, and inputting text. I was able to help my team of writers throughout the school year and served as a mentor to several juniors and sophomores who would be serving as leadership the following school year.
ReplyDeleteYou are (by far) the most organized person I know.
DeleteAwww shucks =)
DeleteYeah! I appreciate having you as a teammate, picking me up on an area that I need a great amount of improvement one!
DeleteAmanda's organization puts my OCD to shame
DeleteI remember the first time I decided to “let one slide” with a student of mine. I became aware that I didn’t need to address everything. There are some things that I can just pretend like I didn’t hear so as not to engage in a power struggle with that student or embarrass them. My “AHA” moment occurred because I realized that there must have been multiple times throughout my life that my parents or teachers overheard me say things and then pretended not to hear it. It was a powerful learning experience for me because I began to consider the possible pros and cons in doing this. Are there times when it is better for a student to learn things on their own? Do we need to call our students out for every infraction?
ReplyDeleteSurrender the one up!! You have to figure out which battles are worth the good fight. I've been there with you, bud!!
DeleteThis really makes me think. I have been there as well.
DeleteSo many times my students do something just for attention and I find it more useful to ignore or just move on. Sometimes students need to learn on their own, give them the chance to fail and make mistakes.
DeleteIt's so important to pick and choose your battles. If you ever decide to become an admnistrator you have to do this on a daily basis, not only with students but staff members as well.
DeleteI agree, you must choose your battles. Otherwise you would be correcting behavior all day instead of cheating.
DeleteAs a third grader, I was fluent at basic mathematic concepts, yet struggled with putting all the steps together to perform long division. I would spend countless hours at my grandparents dinner table working on my math homework having my dad help me with my assignments. One stormy night he must have explained how to do long division half a dozen ways with his level of frustration raising after each lesson. After what seemed like hours I wiped away the tears from my swollen face and had the biggest "Aha!!!" moment in my young life. Looking back I still see that young girl who needs to remove themselves to create ideas and uses time to reflect on how many concepts can come together in most things in life, not just math.
ReplyDeleteReflection is so important, hindsight is always 20/20!
DeleteWhen I was 15 years old and got my drivers permit I did not enjoy practicing driving around with my mom in her Astro Van. First off it could have been the vehicle was huge and she was criticizing me nonstop and loud about it! So one day my 17 year old neighbor thought he would teach me how to drive in his little 4 door car. So, we went to his friends house who lived across the street from a school and it was a perfect square block around the school. As I drove crazy around the block 4 times or so, swerving all over the place and crossing over the middle line several times. After the 6th time around the block it just clicked and BOOM I got it. I am not sure what gave me that "aha" moment whether it was him enjoying my learning moment or letting me figure it out and put all my prior experiences together but from that day forward driving became doable.
ReplyDeleteI totally relate! Learning how to drive is definitely a mental barrier as much as learning the practical application.
DeleteI relate too. When I was learning how to drive, my dad used to put his coffee cup on the dash of the car and said "you better not spill my coffee!" Eventually, I did learn how to drive though.
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ReplyDeleteOne of my most memorable experiences as a child was being taught my multiplication tables by my father. He wasn't able to enjoy the educational opportunities afforded to me, but he stressed education as a means of improving our lives. He drilled me everywhere whether in the car, at the store, or while I was eating breakfast in the morning. He would tell me , "quick six times seven" and I would respond "42". Then he would say "seven times six" and I would pause. He would tell me why do you doubt yourself. You know them. I became an ace. What's more I enjoyed the attention and support I received from my dad. I learned up to my fifteens although we only had to know them to twelves. I was so proud. Later when my son was learning my dad did the same with him. =)
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing with my son, especially in the car, he had no where else to go. I still recommend this to parents on a regular basis. I tell them to practice facts with their child. I get lots of excuses, but always come back to "you have their attention in the car and they cannot run away, take away the PS or iphone and work on what matters."
DeleteLoves! I wish everyone had persist parents that value the little things that make a big difference.
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ReplyDeleteMy powerful learning experience started with a “bad” teacher experience. I was new to the class and was very shy. My teacher was really upset with me because I couldn’t understand compound words. (something that was very simple :) ) To be short she made me feel “dumb” and I cried! I So I went home and rather than giving up, I got upset at myself and gave it another try. I learned that I wasn’t dumb, I just needed more time and I eventually figured it out. So whenever I’m feeling frustrated about learning something new I remember this day and try again. It has also made me a better teacher because I would never want to make my students feel the way I did that day. So I try other ways to explain the material to my students or have a peer explain it.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean by not making your students feel "dumb." I always tell my students how awesome they are and that they are my stars. I even have this poster in my classroom that says " Has anyone told you yet today just how incredibly awesome you are?" My students are awesome!
DeleteMy powerful learning experience happened in college when i did my first c-section operation on a dog and had to bring out all the puppies from the uterus and seeing them start to move. It was like the lives of the puppies and their mom was in my hands and i had to make the operation successful.
ReplyDeletePatrricia, you're a baller!! That's so cool!
DeleteMy powerful learning experience began with my parents. My mother, a woman who had interest in books but never learned to read. As for my father, he spent more time farming crop than in the classroom. The dreams they fell short by not attaining an education brought about my determination to succeed in the teaching field. It was through my parents' desire and guidance that I applied myself by studying hard to achieve in school. My parents have instilled in me that anything is possible as long as I'm willing to work hard for it. This is the philosophy that I hope to instill within my students.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in high school, I was holding a few jobs and one of them was a pizza driver. With all of the driving going on, my car would break down regularly. Since I did not have enough money to get the car fixed at an automotive shop, I had to figure out how to repair my vehicle. With much frustration, many hours under the car, and my father's instruction, I was able to keep the car running to deliver those pizzas.
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