Well. Microteaching could have gone a lot better. It could have gone a lot worse, too, so let's call the scales balanced. I think I may have pysched myself out a little too much, because once I was up in front of the class I seemed to be all right. But time (and my peers) will tell.
Also, next time, bring cough drops instead of a water bottle. You can't spill cough drops on you.
After reading your comments I think your Microteaching went really well, it's nice that you have a positive outlook too. :) So to start, as teaching candidates we've been taught to err on the side of caution when it comes to powerpoints, but yours was colorful, exciting, and engaging. The ships in the beginning slide make you wonder what exactly the lesson will be about, it was, of course, about the transportation of goods/Colombian exchange. That and the opening remarks about imagining a world without some of our favorite commodities really sets the lesson up to be engaging. I've never thought of a world without sugar, tea, or cocoa, and after doing so I realize it wouldn't be fun! Thanks to that opening, you really kept our attention going throughout the entire presentation. The activity of providing groups with the commodities and figuring out why they are important, was challenging enough, your understanding of the Zone of Proximal Development was on point. So overall, a really fun lesson, I think one of the showings of a great lesson is how much you remember, and as you can see I remembered quite a bit! It seems students will grasp this really well, the group work was especially enjoyable and memorable.
ReplyDeleteThere isn't too much to critique, utilizing your space, as far as moving around the classroom, to kind of always keep students on their feet, especially during lecture could have been used more. However, I understand our space was small and there were only two students. Just something to keep in mind for future reference. :) Also, eye contact was great, you hardly even glanced at the powerpoint, you did a great job of maintaining eye contact with your audience. But I do think that this is something that could be utilized extremely well, with some minor revisions, when you go into the classroom. :) Good job!
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ReplyDeleteYour lesson was nicely done.
DeleteYou introduced the concept with the powerpoint slides without going overboard or relying on them too much. You executed the steps of direct instruction well. The portion of the lesson where students were working with the various goods exchanged and postulating what effects they had for people was a good way to get high on Bloom's Taxonomy (the same goes for the individual portion). The two student exercises also illustrated why this was something worth knowing about.
You did not seem as uncomfortable as you felt you were, so you were still effective in a teacherly way. I wish I could make some critiques, but because I was participating in the lesson and I do not have the video I do not remember any negative parts of the lesson.
I loved your lesson! You were so enthusiastic about the lesson and that is such a nice thing for a teacher to be able to be. You were very clear within your presentation, speech and PowerPoint wise. I also enjoyed how obvious you made the connection between the history lesson and the present. I have heard from countless students "what is the point in learning history?" You have answered that question very clearly. There isn't very much for me to say for improvements, the only thing I can think of is not to play with the water bottle because that may prove distracting for some students, so they may lose part of what you are presenting.
ReplyDeleteOver all very nice! :)
Firstly, I'd like to thank you for being the first up to present! As for your presentation and lesson itself, I believe it was very developed and organized--you knew where your information was meant to flow. I believe you had a very clear and concise. If your objective was for the students to have a good understanding of the various trade routes between Europe and the Americas, your slide show certainly did this job. Your handout/activity was informative, as it had students search through the content they had been presented with. This allows them the opportunity to test their knowledge and comprehension through your presentation.
ReplyDeleteIf that all sounds repetitive, it is. But that's good, because it means that you set out to make a point and achieved it! My only suggestion is to move around more. This makes it seem as though you are interested in your own lesson instead of simply reciting it to the students, and it may also help the students themselves stay focused!