My Diverse Clinical Experiences in McLean County Haley Neumann

mETHODOLOGY & tECHNOLOGY

1. What expectations did you have for this component before you made your observations? What was confirmed for you and what was different? As my first day of observations was nearing, I found myself thinking of what a classroom is, what it should be, and what I should be expecting in regards to methods and technology. Since I've graduated high school in 2012, I knew technology has taken an even bigger part in the classroom. But not as big as I was anticipating. Every student in each of the three schools I observed at had their own laptop that was REQUIRED. Every classroom had a SMARTboard. Nearly every teacher used the SMARTboard on a daily basis. As I said before, I knew technology has become a huge part of the classroom, I was just unaware of how big that part actually was.

2. How did these observations change your perceptions of this component? How do you imagine you will address this issue in your own future classroom? Explain. My observations of methodology and technology were enlightening. I'm much more aware of how I will be needing to use technology in my own classroom to capture a student's attention. But, it is also important to simulate a good routine for my students. Many teachers I observed showed a good routine. Most of them started by explaining what their plans and goals for their students were for the day and what the students should expect to accomplish. I think that is a really important component to a classroom, and I plan on presenting that specific information to my own future students. After observing this component, I learned that technology can be a teacher's ally when used properly. While observing an English class, the teacher used google classroom to manage his own classroom.

3. What did you observe that surprised you? Why? As we are all aware, cellphones rule the world. Now, I'm also aware that they rule the classroom as well. In each classroom that I observed cellphones always seemed to be used as a benefit for the students. Whether it was listening to music to help the focus or to look up information when their laptop was not present. Another thing that surprised me was how little group work or student interaction took place. Students, in the classrooms I observed, seem to be in their own technological world.

4. How was this component treated in each of the observation sites you visited? What was different and what was the same? Why do you think these issues were treated differently in the different sites? Which approach, in your opinion, is best? Why? Technology and methodology were treated identical between Normal West and Normal Community high schools. Most teachers listed what the students would accomplish during that specific class period and then the students would do independent work on the laptop. My observations at the Regional Alternative School was slightly different because each student has their own online instruction. They each take different online courses, so the teacher that is physically in the classroom is not teaching. The students are the Regional Alternative School are "trouble" students from other schools in the area (like Bloomington high school, Normal West, and Normal Community) so they are still on their "home" high school's curriculum. If I had to choose which approach was best, it would be what I observed at Normal West and Normal Community. At these two sites, they are still getting some type of instruction from their teacher, whereas at Regional Alternative students are receiving zero instruction.

5. What is the one thing you will take away from your observations in terms of this specific component? Why did this make an impression on you? How will this make you a good educator? The one thing I will take away from my observations about methodology and technology is that technology does not replace a good routine or a good educator. This will make me a better educator because I will be more aware of how I can utilize technology to the best of its ability without taking away from my own teaching methods and educational philosophy.

professionalism

1. What expectations did you have for this component before you made your observations? What was confirmed for you and what was different? Before starting my observations I had certain expectations for the teachers that I would be observing. I expected that they would all use respectful language, have their lesson plans ready, be the "neutral" person in the classroom when it came to talk about certain topics, and dress appropriately (which isn't AS important to me as my other expectations). Most teachers that I observed showed great professionalism in their classroom, with the exception of one teacher in particular.

2. How did these observations change your perceptions of this component? How do you imagine you will address this issue in your own future classroom? Explain. After paying close attention to multiple teachers' professionalism it made me realize how important it truly is to show your students that you're the authority figure so that they take you seriously. The teacher that I observed who was the least bit professional was the one who had the least control of their students. Students didn't take him/her seriously in the slightest. In my classroom I expect myself to be professional by being prepared with my lessons, being knowledgeable, and using appropriate language that doesn't exclude any of my students.

3. What did you observe that surprised you? Why? One thing that I observed that surprised me was how relaxed the teachers dressed. All of my college professors dress so professionally all of the time; I guess I've forgotten what high school is actually like!

4. How was this component treated in each of the observation sites you visited? What was different and what was the same? Why do you think these issues were treated differently in the different sites? Which approach, in your opinion, is best? Why? During my observation time at the Regional Alternative School I realized that they need to be much more professional. They needed to have a much better overall attitude towards their students and their surroundings. Their students are considered "at-risk"so they need strong authoritative teachers in their lives. Whereas at Normal West and Normal Community high schools the teachers were professional but much more lax. They would play music during independent work and let students use their phones whereas at RAS students had to have their cellphones locked up as soon as they walked in.

5. What is the one thing you will take away from your observations in terms of this specific component? Why did this make an impression on you? How will this make you a good educator? There is one specific instance that I will take away from my observations in regards to professionalism and it was when a student from the classroom I had just observed in showed me where another class was (I was a little lost). While we were walking together she told me what she didn't like about her teacher and why I shouldn't act the way they acted towards their students. Her specific teacher made remarks that made specific students feel targeted and would put students on the spot. She even gave me a few tips on how I can be a better teacher than the one she has. I will always carry that with me. It was nice to see things from a students point of view and how a teacher's professionalism can really effect their students.

UnderStanding Learners

1. What expectations did you have for this component before you made your observations? What was confirmed for you and what was different? In regards to this component of understanding learners I expected that different types of teaching and learning strategies would be used throughout the classroom. I also expected that each individual teacher would be accommodating to each one of their students. I'm glad to say that I found all of my expectations of this component to be true!

2. How did these observations change your perceptions of this component? How do you imagine you will address this issue in your own future classroom? Explain. Honestly, my observations did not change my perceptions of understanding learners. If I had observed teachers that were uniform in their teaching and believed that "one size fits all" I know that is not my educational philosophy. My students will be unique individuals and they will be treated as such. This is why I am so glad I read a book about the flipped classroom...It allows for each student to flourish in their own unique way.

3. What did you observe that surprised you? Why? Something I observed that surprised me was how lenient teachers were when it came to accommodating their students' needs. When I was at Normal Community this one teacher would allow two students that worked exceptionally well together to go outside and work together because the classroom environment did not work for them. She never felt the need to check on them because she knew that is what worked best for these students in order to be productive.

4. How was this component treated in each of the observation sites you visited? What was different and what was the same? Why do you think these issues were treated differently in the different sites? Which approach, in your opinion, is best? Why? At RAS teachers were more understanding towards students and their needs than Normal West and Normal Community. Like I mentioned previously, the students at RAS are considered "at-risk" and the teachers are supposed to do anything they can to make a students educational environment conducive. Again, Normal West and Normal Community are similar in this component as well. Teachers at these two sites would incorporate different types of technology into their class ( like google classroom and powerpoint) as well as watching movies and taking notes. I feel that all of the teachers I observed tried to reach out and entertain different types of learners.

5. What is the one thing you will take away from your observations in terms of this specific component? Why did this make an impression on you? How will this make you a good educator? After observing teachers based upon this specific component and the information I have gained throughout this course I now understand how important it is to incorporate different aspects of learning in the classroom because each student is an individual.

Management of physical environment

1. What expectations did you have for this component before you made your observations? What was confirmed for you and what was different? I know that the organization of a classroom plays a huge role in a students learning, but still I expected most of these classrooms to be boring and be somewhat disorganized because that it something I remember from my own high school experience. I'm glad to say that my prediction was wrong, though. Most classrooms had some type of organization and procedures.

2. How did these observations change your perceptions of this component? How do you imagine you will address this issue in your own future classroom? Explain. This component is the most daunting to me. Whenever I think about organizing my own classroom and setting my own procedures I feel lost and have no idea where to begin. By the time I started my observations students knew what was expected of them during class. After observing these teachers I found that being consistent in what you expect of your students is key to running a successful, well-organized classroom.

3. What did you observe that surprised you? Why? One thing that surprised me in this component was that I only observed ONE traditional classroom that didn't have rows! All of the other classrooms were in rows facing forward at the board. I find that is not conducive because students work better together, rather than alone. And, they already turn around and talk to each other anyways, so they might as well be in tables, not rows.

4. How was this component treated in each of the observation sites you visited? What was different and what was the same? Why do you think these issues were treated differently in the different sites? Which approach, in your opinion, is best? Why? Each classroom I observed had shelves, cabinets, and crates for their own organizational procedures. In the math class I observed homework wasn't turned in at the beginning of class. Students were allowed to ask questions and discuss the homework before turning it in. Whereas in the politics classroom I observed homework was due at the beginning of class then after it was turned in they discussed it as a class so no one would fill in the homework. I found that most teachers had their class organized in a way that made most sense to their content area. In math and politics there were rows because it was a lot of independent work whereas in the English class I observed the desks were put into desks because there were a lot of discussions.

5. What is the one thing you will take away from your observations in terms of this specific component? Why did this make an impression on you? How will this make you a good educator? Obviously, classroom management is ESSENTIAL. But, I've realized that it's not a "one size fits all" thing. If it works for your classroom, great! That doesn't mean it will work for everyone's classroom. I also don't expect to get my classroom management perfect during my first year of teaching...or my second year of teaching. I know now that it takes time and my classroom management will be forever changing.

Diversity & DemoGraphics

1. What expectations did you have for this component before you made your observations? What was confirmed for you and what was different? Before starting my clinical hours I expected classrooms with mostly white students and only a handful of minority students. After observing this was somewhat confirmed. I will later go into detail in regards to actual numbers.

2. How did these observations change your perceptions of this component? How do you imagine you will address this issue in your own future classroom? Explain. When I observed at Normal West and Normal Community most of the students in the classes I observed in (agriculture, college algebra, AP government, and english 1 & 2) were white. Only a handful (maximum 6) students in a class at these two schools were minority. In my own classroom I will observe my students difference and embrace them. For instance when people say "I don't see people color, I see people as people"...No! Race is a huge part of one's identity, how can that be ignored? In my classroom it will be embraced and I will show interest in my students different cultures and ethnicity.

3. What did you observe that surprised you? Why? The thing that surprised me most was that the classes did not seem diverse enough for Normal West and Normal Community to be considered diverse school locations. Like I said above, there were a maximum of 6 minority students in one classroom and the total number of students in that specific class was 31.

4. How was this component treated in each of the observation sites you visited? What was different and what was the same? Why do you think these issues were treated differently in the different sites? Which approach, in your opinion, is best? Why? Normal West and Normal Community were quite similar in this component, again. But, the Regional Alternative School in Bloomington was a GREAT example of a diverse school. They are considered diverse in 3 out of 4 requirements. 52 % of students come from low income families and more than 50% of students are minorities. Also more than 10% of students have learning disabilities. I was at this site quite often and because the "minority" was now the majority I feel that the students felt more comfortable and at ease in their learning environment.

5. What is the one thing you will take away from your observations in terms of this specific component? Why did this make an impression on you? How will this make you a good educator? The one thing I will take away from my observations from this component is that diversity needs to be embraced. After spending a lot of time at the Regional Alternative School I've realized that these at risk students need attention from someone who truly cares about them and I would love to work at a school where the minority is the majority.

Reflection

My diverse field experience was quite eye-opening. This is the first time I've been in a high school classroom since I've graduated high school and so much has changed in the classroom. Technology is more prominent than ever. Also, my own mindset has changed. Being in a classroom again has made me realize how impressionable these students are and how big of an impact I truly will have on them.

Credits:

Created with images by moritz320 - "colored pencils colorful color" • coyot - "notebook macbook computer" • GSLCMedia - "kids crafts arts and crafts" • Skitterphoto - "trees hill green" • chezbeate - "shoes rainbow lgbt" • City of Boston Archives - "Classroom, ca. 1901"

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