Session 5

Best Practice
My best practice would have to be shared by three practices that I use. The first would be the grading program that I use, Grade Quick. This program makes my life as a teacher alot less stressful. The reason for this is because it does everything that I would normally do by hand. It computes my grades, allows me to create specified reports for just about anything that I need. The second best practice is the use of PowerPoint within the classroom setting. Being a secondary level teacher, I have to give repeat performances of the same lecture 6 times a day. The PowerPoint allows me to have the notes/activity available without having to redo them after problem solving. the third would be the use of my LCD projector. We all have those days when we just don't feel like lecturing, on those days I will put a worksheet or some other assignment on the LCD projector, give the students their instructions and turn them loose to complete the given task. This also frees me up to provide individual assistance to the students that need it.
The reason that I believe other teachers don't use the PowerPoint is because they feel that it takes too much time to prepare the slides. Some teachers have thought about using it when I them how it gives me time to help other students. They don't use the grading program because they have gotten use to calculating the grades in their own way. They look for flaws in the program instead of enjoying the freedom that it can actually give. I also believe that teachers don't like the use of the LCD because of the problems associated with technology. It seems like the time when the teacher decides to use the equipment, it isn't working properly.


Activities for the week of 2/5/07

Monday 2/5: Worked on project 1
Tuesday 2/6: Downloaded and listened to podcast, read classmates blogs
Thursday 2/8: Completed project, started project 2, and wrote response for Session 5
Sunday 2/11: Published blog