Chapter 7: Thinking About Teaching and Learning

1. One of the things mentioned in chapter 7, was that even teachers learn. Teachers learn through teaching, whether something goes well and works for their students or something doesn’t go quite according to plan. I think that it is important that as a prospective teacher, you listen to the experienced teachers. Listen to their stories and their suggestions so you can learn from them and not have to experience these (especially the bad ones) first hand.
2. I really like the idea of a student focused classroom. As stated in the book, student focused classrooms allow students to learn and construct ideas and knowledge “relevant to a specific task or situation through self-interest and dialogue with others.” I think that the self-interest is a huge part of successful learning. If it captivates their interest roll with it, they might surprise you.
3. Even further into the student focused classroom, it talks more on what the teacher can do to help stimulate this way of learning. It is mentioned that teachers should teach and evaluate through the asking of questions and student led discussions. I think that this is a great way, especially in secondary education, to help students transition from the typical teacher-holding-your-hand elementary style learning to more self and peer lead learning that you see in high schools and other higher level learning.