Starting Point

A Brief Description of the site

Goal of the Practice Teaching portfolio is to emphasize that writing is an ongoing process and in doing so to reinforce in students’ minds the understanding that excellent writing,  and creativity, are the results of extensive drafting and revisions.

When it came to the Design of the Practice teaching Portfolio, for me personally, it became very hard!  I said it so, because, to design the portfolio, it really requires critical thinking skills.

I designed my portfolio very simple. I started to think on it since I started writing my Entries and reflections. At the middle of the Entries I have collected the materials. It was lucky for me because the majority materials that I have, they are remaining of my Assessment II, Educational Technology I, and Educational Technology II Project. They are really available materials then.

As my Practice teaching Portfolio title says “I WANT TO SEE THE WORLD”.  This title really represents the whole of the Portfolio itself!  I chose the bond paper colors to make the portfolio more beautiful. Because, I really believe that the more colors I choose, the more reactivities that I have in my everyday life. Here, each color that I posted on my Portfolio, it has meaning on it. It might be very NATURE, and yet it might be quite SIMPLE indeed, but These COLORS represent my PERSONALITY and Characteristics indeed. SO, At least to know a little bit of me, this very first Portfolio has been answered it. Other words, my Personality, and my Characteristics have been applied on this simple portfolio.

The green color is one of my favorite colors. I have chosen this as my foundation of building the cover. I am really innocent, and lack of experiences in my own ways. From this color, I strongly believe that I will LEARN a lot. While the Christmas Bell represents my sincerity, and my openness.  “I WANT TO SEE THE WORLD”, it has been started here at the College of Education, Ateneo de Naga University.

AMDG

practice Teaching

My Goals for Students Teaching

When I began my student teaching, I thought about the goals I wanted to accomplish. One of these goals was to raise my self-confidence in my teaching. Deep down, I knew I was a good teacher to teach and mold the lives of young students. Then, the more I thought about it, the more nervous I became. How was I to know that I was the right person to shape the future of East Timor? I knew that if I could be confident in my teaching, that I would be able to become that person that truly made an impact on the students.


Another one of my goals for student teaching was to create an environment where every student felt safe and comfortable. I wanted to create an environment where the students trusted me and their classmates; an environment where they felt free to ask questions without the fear of rejection or embarrassment. I wanted to learn how to create one of those classrooms where we immediately feel comfortable and ready to learn as soon as I walk in the door.
I have a dream…
AMDG

writting syllabus

REFLECTION ON THE SYLLABUS

After my Practice teaching ended, I have been aware that writing the syllabus lesson plan is really quite simple; it is meant to communicate. But, I might ask myself, communicate to whom? The answer to this question, on a practical basis, is me, myself! The SLP, I wrote are to guide me in organizing my material and I for the purpose of helping the students achieve intended learning outcomes.

I have learnt also that a key principle in creating a SLP is specificity. It is sort of like saying, "almost any series of connecting roads will take you from Key main campus, Ateneo de Naga University to Ateneo de Naga University High School, eventually." There is however, one any only one set of connecting roads that represents the shortest and best route. Best means that, for example, getting to Ateneo de Naga University High School by using an unreliable car is a different problem than getting there using a brand new car. What process one uses to get to a destination depends on available resources and time.

            For my each SLP, before it done, it took a few hours to write.  Once I have an idea of the main aims, sub aims and personal aims, I can promptly write up the lesson plan.  As John Dewey pointed out, within education, that direct experience is key to learning.  Thereby, the more direct experience an educator has with SLP, the more the educator will learn about the importance of SLP. 

            Finally, it is very obvious to me that I had huge amount of weaknesses during my application of my syllabus lesson plans in the classroom. However, I do not want to stay at this stage. I have to move on, since I do believe that this is just the beginning. Adding to that I have also a positive side to be proud of, that is my own ways of proceeding.

student's feedback

Reflection on the feedback

 It has been a tremendous experience especially since I, as a student teacher, received invaluable feedback from  LG 4222, and LG 4423, my teachers, although I had regularly received formal feedback from my peers. I am glad that I became confident about my own competence in teaching in Physics and I now feel more comfortable about another wonderful teaching opportunity that I will be facing later on. Positive feedback included my designing syllabus lesson plans, visual aids, and presentation, responsible, kind and cheerful teacher, passion in teaching, and very confident in delivering the lesson in the class room.

Specifically, I received some feedbacks on my presentation. I did not compose comprehension questions with capital letters and question marks, which I did not notice at all until I read the peer feedback. Another peer commented that the presentation was "a little crowded" and I should delivered lesson in Power Point Presentation instead of Presentation.

Aside from the positive feedback from the students, teachers, and my peer, I gained also the points for improvements. The points for improvements are class room management, the ways I spoke in English, speak lauder so that my voice can be heard, I should learn how to discipline the students, provide handouts and I should prepare more activities when teach.

There was also a feedback with which I consider something awesome.  This is really out of my mind; it is not congruent with the focus of my class. Two female’s students suggested that I have to   use cologne before entering my class room.  This is a new thing. I have entered in new culture. And I have to learn to accept it. Thank you for this observation. I appreciate it very much. I have learned a lot from you all.

Learning is change. Change is not easy for anyone. Teaching the students to become critical thinkers, to learn from their feedback, from teacher’s experiences, and the peers will be one big step forwards. I have a big dream that when my students leave school I will have given them a few tools to take with them and use for life in addition to the little bit of Physics I have taught them. I also have a dream that I too will have become a best teacher to teach and to educate the fellow East Timorese people to find their own ways with my own small ways.

AMDG