I can’t believe I’m finally learning how to develop lesson plans that challenge students. At this point in my career, I’m not really sure I look forward to revamping everything I once did. Prior to this class, ignorance was bliss. I taught students skills that helped in reading comprehension, taught them how to construct paragraphs and many things that many of us would consider simple. For learning disabled students, what some consider simple is very difficult for them. Now that I’m reading and trying to apply many of the UbD concepts, my teaching is not what it should be.
I’m a product of MSUs MAT teacher of the handicapped program. My best learning experience came after I was in a classroom. I consider most of my training as “on-the-job training.” The UbD process is very interesting. I feel that many of the units could be designed and shared with other teachers teaching the same curriculum. Am I wrong is feeling that this process will require a lot of planning time, but would be more effective if designed correctly? Am I wrong in thinking that this type of unit design could be shared and put in place in school’s curriculum guides? I’m getting the sense, much of the work could be done as part of curriculum development that occurs in the summer.
Is this how new teachers are being trained. If future administrators/curriculum supervisors are getting training in this type of design perhaps change can take effect. I’ve been a teacher for twelve years and I was only exposed to this concept when I returned to MSU for a supervisory and principal’s certificate. My first masters didn’t address this at all. I can see my future in being a future change agent to teachers who are willing to really challenge students and who give students reasons for learning. I can anticipate my teaching will continue to change and whenever I change careers, I can see myself helping teachers rethink their design of lessons and units. I realize I’m not an expert in this type of design, but being exposed and trying to apply it myself will help me share UbD to others are my career grows.
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2 comments:
We are fortunate for being exposed to all these new ideas about teaching and education. However, I am not quite sure that the majority of new teachers are also receiving the same type of training we are at the moment. There are many universities out there that are not as rigorous and innovative. Also, it does depend on the particular professors and how they teach the courses. I honestly don't think that many people have been exposed to the type of training we are receiving at the moment.
I agree that most of my training has been on-the-job as well. I would definitely like to know where all the training as gone as well. Being a new teacher is not easy. It is especially more difficult when there isn't any formal training to help a new teacher along the way. I think that learning how to develop better lesson plans is something that should be taught in the beginning of your teaching career. I guess better late than never!
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