Recalling my own learning experiences, even at the college
level, I know that I am more motivated in learning and actively involved in class
discussions by interesting learning materials and activities. Similarly, our students
enjoy learning if the experience brings accomplishment, self-esteem, and self-confidence.
On the other hand, as a teacher, seeing students’ improvement and progress is
the best motivation for keeping the enthusiasm in teaching continuously. So I
think keeping the motivation in teaching, the very first step to make is providing
meaningful, intentional and joyful learning experience for students. L was
afraid of getting into the water at the beginning of CAPES! My group members and
I have been working with him to overcome the fear. In the last lab, L was able
to go under the water with Jerilyn’s help. He was so excited for what he has
accomplished: “Mi, I did it!” For me, seeing the student’s improvement really
motivates my teaching, because I feel rewarded.
I think it’s normal for us feeling like getting trap in a
situation of “no new ideas” in the practicums. And I think that is what I need
to work on my own for my progress: be more creative in activity planning. One thing I appreciate for working with
different groups in the past few weeks is I had the opportunities to
participate in other groups’ activities, and share many of their bright ideas. The
maze activity would be a good example. I wouldn’t have thought of using those
form mats to set up a maze and have students walk through it. Like walking in the maze,
often we are stuck in our ideas, and slowly we run out of them. It is important
for teachers to collect new ideas from colleagues, books, any other sources
from life. And then refine those ideas for implementation.
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