Watching Sugata Mitra in TED 2013 Talk was eye-opening as well. With the help of a computer, not only has this man helped numerous children living in rural villages learn vital information but he has presented research that no one has ever established before. His ideal image of a classroom contains self-organized learning. His research proves that it is possible so why do we continue to use cookie-cutter education? With the help of computers, children can learn at a faster rate than ever before.
What I Want My Students to Know:
- Be yourself and no one else. Express yourself in creative ways using colors and arts.
- Treat others the way you want to be treated. If you steal Sally's favorite pen and then lie to her about it, chances are Sally won't ask you to sit with her at lunch.
- Take your time. Perfection requires mistakes and as the old saying goes "Rome wasn't built in a day".
- Health and nutrition are important. I encourage you to play your favorite sport every day. Not only will you be happier but you will feel better too. Eating right and exercising are what allows us to live a long, favorable life.
- Work together with your classmates. Sometimes two brains are better than one.
- It is important to share your voice. Make a difference.
What I want my students to be able to do:
- Make an effort. If there is nothing else in this world you can do, you can atleast try.
- Manage your time. Do not tell yourself you have plenty of time! There is never enough time.
- Read and write to the best of your ability. Always have a book and a piece of paper for your genius thoughts, as they only belong to you.
- Be hungry to learn more. Knowledge is equivalent to success.
- Use a computer. The possibilities are endless.
- Respect everyone. We are all equal but we are not all the same.
Getting involved! I had a teacher recently tell me that she would never ask her students to do something she would not do herself. The best way to get through to someone is showing them how to do the task at hand. You can even incorporate videos from the internet from other teachers around the world. I want to talk to my students and get a glimpse of what they are thinking so I know how to connect with them. I also want to have hands-on learning to establish memories of being creative. For example, we have all made gooey putty in science class at some point. Every project should be fun and colorful and something to make the student want to expand their brain. I want to encourage students to do things they would not normally do because they could be missing out on something they love. I want to incorporate technology in my class to show students that the possibilities are endless.
What tools will I use in my classroom?
In my classroom I hope to have plentiful tools. In this day, having a computer is important to learning. I wish that my students have access to laptops or tablets of some kind. This way they will have access to vital information at their fingertips and be able to communicate with people from all over the world. I also want to have a world map covering the room that my students can point out any country in the world and perhaps be encouraged to travel and study other cultures. Not just any world map, I want there to be an insight to every different culture no matter where you look. Photos, newspapers, symbols. Then there must be an art studio filled with infinite tools such as paints, brushes, markers, crayons, paper, canvases, chalk, recycled items, cameras, scripts, props, and much more. There must be a musicians area too.
What role will students play in my classroom? How will they participate in the learning process?
Students will participate in my classroom by listening, trying, and sharing their thoughts and opinions. As long as they have thoughts on the current subject, I know they are listening. If they have been using the computer and found a great source or a learning game they can share it with the remainder of the class to encourage learning. If my students are curious and willing to stimulate their brain I believe I can teach them. I encourage them to speak up and try new things.
