Reflections+through++Introduction

//My Introduction through Reflection //

‘MIRROR MIRROR* ON THE WALL’… DO YOU SEE SOMEONE DIFFERENT?
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This wiki represents a sampling how I will integrate what I have learned in this course into my own classes--right away. Instead of choosing single lesson to completely revamp; I chose instead-- with KJ's blessing I think-- to revamp several trying to carefully integrate into lessons more brain compatible learning techniques than I had been able to use before this course. In these ways I can combine the new with the old, adding novel and more effective strategies, interactions, or presentations into several lessons slated for this very semester.

This choice is based on my own need to integrate the technology just as soon as humanly possible in my classroom and lab--or I fear I will lose it or lose the courage to use it-- AND my own inner **//imperative//**: telling me to make best use the of the read/write web right now and not offer a "one shot deal" to my students, but by allowing my students and me to experience the "novel" (or new); I hope this will reflect a best practice--specifcially //spreading out// ‘the new’ (NB: [|Research shows this is so because the novelty]itself, i.e., alone, is a potent brain compatible/stimulating learning strategy when not overused.) I also feels strongly about maintaining the best of what I offer in terms of multisensory, live communication, and what my students already do best in the classroom within the bounds of traditional, nonetheless multiple-modality learning. From where I sit, the new and the old combined appear to make a kind of perfect pairing that can work wondrously, or if not that, then at least //enjoyably better// than before.

Finally, the notion that the new technology I have chosen affords fantastic opportunities for repetition is exciting (so moderate disabilities are able to see and work with concepts, vocabulary, and practices over, and over and over with meaningful results). These meaningful repeated interactions are KEY to their learning effectively, and fully--even if it means learning more slowly-- in English/ language arts and in the science courses I teach (all preMCAS so comprehension and retention are significant). On this last note, this useful repetition ALSO will be offered to my students--through the Web 2.0 tools I have chosen, and those I will continue to amass, within the Academic Lab, as quick reviews in classes, and as resources at home because I plan to place them on my class WIKI to be easily accessed from almost anywhere there is WIFI, MIFI, ‘smart’ cellular communication, and everything else (wired or wireless) that can get onto the Web.

I now view myself in a new way: as a more able teacher and more open lifelong learner. That is how that I have experienced this course with an instructor and mentor who is patient enough with me so I have learned to thrive in this “…brave new **//world//** that hath such people in it!”—‘world’ as in www of course! (from //The Tempest//, Shakespeare) --AKAinclude component="comments" page="Introduction to AKAnewlessons" limit="10"