Blog Post #1
My name is Morgan Larkins and I am in my first year at Florida State University, although, academically I am a sophomore. My major is elementary education and my plan is to become a principal of an elementary school. What really got me into this major was a class I took in high school called "Early Childhood Development". At my high school, there were also two Pre-K classes in which the high school students who were in the Early Childhood program would teach the Pre-K students. Taking this class made me realize that this was the career I wanted to be a part of: teaching.
While in this program we used all sorts of technology, the most simple one being youtube. When showing a video on youtube, all that was required was that the computer was plugged into the smart-board and the setting for the computer was turned on. The students also were required 15 minutes of computer time a day. During this time, each student would work on a subject they were struggling in and through a website much like ABC Mouse, they would work on their flaws.
Personally, when I am studying or learning I prefer to have it right in front of me: meaning I would rather learn from an actual textbook than an online textbook. However, online learning or studying does not bother me. Throughout high school, most of my assignments and homework had to be submitted online or be used through some type of online website (MasteringBiology, Word, Powerpoint, etc.). In fact, I actually took a business class my junior year in which every student was MOS certified by the end of the year. This meant that each student had past the requirements in using Word, Powerpoint, and Outlook. Today, I mostly use Word to support my learning goals.
It's wonderful that you had the opportunity to teach Pre-K students while you were in high school. How often did you get to teach the Pre-K students? Did you follow a set curriculum, or did you get to create activities for them?
ReplyDeleteI do not like online textbooks either. I try to rent physical copies when I can. This semester two of classes I had to buy the online book and I am not enjoying it. the textbook loads funny or just crashes. I use to volunteer at a special needs camp and working with kids at the camp taught me I want to work with kids in some capacity. It is nice having a passion for something early.
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing that you had that opportunity to help teach the Pre-K students. It sometimes take a while for people to find out what they are passionate about and what they want to do. I was lucky to have similar opportunities in high school. Unfortunately for me I was not as lucky and did not find something I wanted to do, but I found out what I did not what to do and why. I would love to read more about your experience teaching the preschoolers.
ReplyDeleteI am also an elementary education major! That class you mentioned sounds awesome, and definitely a good way to find your passion. I figured out that I wanted to be a teacher when I student taught at my Sunday school for five years. It is such a rewarding position!
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