I think collaboration is important when it comes to teaching and learning from one another. Teachers must take the opportunity to collaborate with each other regarding teaching strategies and unit planning. Teachers must also facilitate student collaboration in the classroom in order to maximize learning opportunities. I was just discussing this with my SA. She suggested I collaborate with another student teacher regarding unit designs for my 405 practicum. She asked how I felt about it because some teachers choose to keep their ideas to themselves. If a teacher designs/discovers a lesson that works well with his/her students, then I think they should be proud to share it with other teachers. Isn’t it a teacher’s obligation to maximize student learning opportunities? I find it selfish for teachers to hoard their ideas.
Anyways, that was a bit of a ramble. So when it comes down to collaboration with different personality types I feel it is important to respect the different perspectives even though you may disagree. Any kind of group collaboration can be challenging when people disagree, however it is beneficial for everyone when each person brings something different to the table. Even though grouping students according to personality types may prevent conflict from arising, mixing them up with one another teaches them to acknowledge not everyone is the same. Collaborative learning teaches students communication skills, decision making skills, leadership skills and conflict management skills. I think introducing personality type theory to students can help increase self-awareness and encourage acceptance and understanding for how others function.
Through Mamchur I have learned to recognize my personal learning style according to my personality type. I really think this is important for all teachers to understand the diversity of learning styles so we can help students achieve their potential and ability of success. What I have learned so far has opened my eyes to how essential it is for educators to accommodate the differential learning needs of students. Even though educators are taught to modify and adapt lesson plans according to the class we are teaching, I never realized how tailored lessons must be in order for students to learn at their best. I am thankful for the resources that exist today.
1 comment:
Courtney,
I really like what you said about teachers facilitating student collaboration. It’s insane that I never thought of the topic in this way before, but I guess I was too stuck in thinking of the roles of a teacher to really examine how collaboration would get implemented. I think it’s great, and extremely important, for not only the teacher but also the students to be able to work together. My blog discussed primarily the interplay between collaboration that must take place in order to make lesson plans work, but I didn’t think to discuss that this collaboration would entail the collaboration of students. By getting students to realize each other’s personalities, similarities and differences, and learning styles, the classroom becomes aware of their diversity and thus can work better together. Thank you for opening my eyes to this new facet of collaboration that I may have passed by without your insights!
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