I must say, I came into this semester extremely nervous about my classes, as I have not taken many serious Education courses before. I am an English major and feel that my Education courses will vary drastically from the English courses I have taken (I don't even know how to write using the APA format!). And the first day in our EdPsych 401 class did not really help me feel anymore comfortable. Don't get me wrong, Brian seems like a great and personable guy, and, by reading my classmates' blogs, most everyone else in the class seems equally nervous about their futures in the class and beyond.
There are two things that I hope this class will help me with: my nervousness about getting in front of a class and teaching, as well as my apprehensions I have for my first-year of teaching, particularly regarding my responsibility as a teacher to my students. The first of these two worries is obvious, and I stated it in class the other day; I get rather nervous speaking in front of groups. One on one I am fine, but it is when I step up to give presentations and the like that I struggle with articulation and my confidence as a speaker. I know, however, that I will be a teacher, and that the bulk of a teacher's day is standing in front of others, giving lectures and instructing classwork. The second of my worries is the one that is just beginning to hit me as I enter the teaching program. Will I be a successful teacher? How will I ensure that I am successfully teaching my students what they need to learn? How can I best instill in my students ideas they may have never run across before? Hopefully, this class will present information to me regarding a child's learning processes that will help me better understand how students learn.
Well, that's all for now I guess. See you all tomorrow.
Colby, I was equally apprehensive about the class and, being a history major, I have never used APA format either. I also, and I believe many others share this trait, experience some nervousness when speaking in front of a group, even if it is among children. My public speaking class, more of a philosophy class, helped a little. Though far from an expert, the only advice I have to offer is know your material and understand you know the topic you are discussing better than anyone else whom you are addressing. If you possess any useful advice on the matter, I would greatly appreciate it if your shared your knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with you and the comment Dylan left about the apprehension that comes with being a future teacher. There are many days that I second guess my future. Not second guessing my love for kids and my wanting to be a teacher, but second guessing if I will be a good teacher. If I'll know what to say, if I'll be able to convey my knowledge to my students effectively. I guess I just feel under prepared to step out into the education system and begin my career. I'm hoping that this class can assuage some of these fears and give me some confidence going forward. It is reassuring that I am not the only one who has these fears going forward.
ReplyDeleteI complete sympathize with your apprehensiveness, Colby. Oftentimes, I hear Education related degrees are the easy way out, but it seems like quite the workload. Between the CSEL paper and reading the chapter alone feels like a hefty part-time job. I think what will help us the most is planning and then more planning. The better prepared we are, the less nervous we will become. Public speaking isn't that bad, and I'm by no means an expert, but preparation, I feel is always key.
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