Just Ask the Internet! (Mod 10)

As a child, whenever I had a question that my Mom did not have an answer for, she would reply, "ask your father" and vice versa, if my Dad had no answer, he would say, "ask your Mother". Well, today, I have certainly grown out of needing to ask my Mom and Dad everything, but there are times when I really struggle with how to do something, how to teach something, or perhaps, I would just like to see another perspective. This is where searching the Internet comes in; it certainly contains a vast repertoire of advice and options. The truth is, I have always gone on-line to search, for instance, a random recipe or "what to do if your dog was bit by several bees"; however, before this module I never realized how much assistance is really out there! This connectivism is cool.

Briefly, I will discuss the choices I have made in placements on my video roll. There are several "self-help" videos included because I have a major micro-teaching demonstration this week and lack confidence in any "presentation atmosphere". I believe this would be in the category of professional development. I want to work on this because as a future teacher, confidence and self-esteem are essential. I want to be confident so that my students get the best I can give and learn better. Also, I recognize the fact that students notice when the teacher is not confident. This can influence the way they learn as well as classroom management. With this in mind, I checked out a few videos on Videojug: How to Look More Confident, How to Talk to People- Better Communication, and Tips for Building Self-Esteem. These offered great tips and many transfer to the classroom as well. I found them to be very helpful and I hope that soon I will find the classroom a "natural" place to be rather than a place where I put on a show!

I chose two video clips from Teacher Tube as well. I find that Teacher Tube is a great place to find visual support for lessons I will present. I also think it is a place to check when you are stuck and need an idea, "How will I approach that topic?" For instance, I think Idioms, Metaphors, Similes will be difficult to teach ESL students, but with short clips that appeal to young students or visual/spatial, music/rhythmic students the task will seem less daunting. Students will appreciate seeing other "kids" teach them rather than looking at the teacher all day. I could use this short video of fifth graders teaching idioms or have my students create a similar video. In addition, I saw a short video clip of an ESL teacher taking her class Out of the Classroom to practice vocabulary. This is a great example to me because I have never taught and need all the ideas I can get.

This has been an exciting trip into the Internet. I can definitely see that I am no longer alone as I enter the world of education.