https://padlet.com/dearbhla_corbett5/5driqfkvvg5i en-us 2017-11-27 11:47:57 UTC 2017-12-04 14:16:39 UTC hello@padlet.com dearbhla_corbett5 https://padlet.com/dearbhla_corbett5/5driqfkvvg5i/wish/210344327 In this lecture we looked into the characteristics that make up a good teacher. We watched two TedTalks videos.
The first video, 'What makes a good teacher great?', explored the idea of students' views on what a good teacher means to them. The most common response this teacher received when asking this question was 'A good teacher eats apples'. He found this strange. He began to eat apples and students began giving him apples. He learned from this that students do not only want to be taught, they want to give back to the teacher too.
Another response he received was 'A good teacher is chill'. He interpreted this as being calm in all situations. Don't get overwhelmed and don't taking things too seriously. This is how students want to see their teacher going about their schooldays.
This teacher also established that students want their teachers to learn along with them. They want to see their teacher developing and improving along with their students. I think that this would remove an essence of intimidation felt by students towards teachers. They sometimes believe that there is nothing their teacher does not know. This is completely false and I think that knowing this would allow students to feel more comfortable within the classroom.
The second video, 'Every kid needs a champion', looks into the concept of a student having a positive role model. Some teachers might get caught up in the concept of teaching content and not worrying about the outcome. Whereas, taking the time to understand from the students' point of view can allow you as a teacher to teach in a more efficient and effective way. You need to install self-confidence in the students and their abilities.

]]> 2017-11-27 11:48:34 UTC https://padlet.com/dearbhla_corbett5/5driqfkvvg5i/wish/210344327 dearbhla_corbett5 https://padlet.com/dearbhla_corbett5/5driqfkvvg5i/wish/210359076 In this lecture we were introduced to the importance of lesson introduction planning.
We discussed factors of lesson introductions. It is important that the opening of a lesson flows well into the rest of the lesson. If there is an obvious pause between parts of a lesson it will be an opportunity for students to lose concentration and disconnect from the class. It is important to use a hook at the start of a lesson to quickly gain the students' attention and interest. From here I think it would be most effective to use different types of interactive tools with the class to maintain the flow of the lesson. Interactive tools will also allow the students to get a more hands-on approach to the topic. For example, Phet simulator is a great website to use with a class. It allows them to change variables and observe outcomes of many different concepts.
We got into pairs to come up with our own examples of lesson openings on the topic of animal and plant cells. We decided to make two categories, animal and plant, and to have various cards with cell facts written on them. Students must attempt to assign each card to the correct category of animal or plant. This is an effective way of gaining students' attention from the start of a lesson. It also allows them to improve their communication skills by working in pairs.]]> 2017-11-27 12:42:43 UTC https://padlet.com/dearbhla_corbett5/5driqfkvvg5i/wish/210359076 dearbhla_corbett5 https://padlet.com/dearbhla_corbett5/5driqfkvvg5i/wish/210374249 In this lab we were set with the task of designing the most efficient flask that we could in groups. It had to keep boiling water as hot as possible. We were given a beaker, cotton wool, sellotape, tin foil and cardboard. We thought about the properties of the materials firstly. For example, which were conductors and would not hold the heat of the water well? Our group decided to firstly use cotton wool and then cardboard over it to insulate the beaker. We then put a layer of tinfoil around the cardboard layer. We made a lid from cotton wool and cardboard for the tops and bottom of the beaker. We made a hole in the lid for a thermometer. We poured boiling water into the beaker and noted the temperature. We left the beaker for ten minutes and noted the new temperature. The temperature change was 9 degrees celsius.
I think that this would be a good experiment to conduct in the classroom with students as they will more than likely all have heard of or come across a flask at some point in their lives. They will be able to understand how it actually works. This is also an opportunity for them to test their own prior knowledge of conduction and insulation if covered in class.]]> 2017-11-27 13:21:36 UTC https://padlet.com/dearbhla_corbett5/5driqfkvvg5i/wish/210374249 dearbhla_corbett5 https://padlet.com/dearbhla_corbett5/5driqfkvvg5i/wish/210376340 In this lecture we looked into the various aspects of Inquiry Based Learning. It is a form of active learning amongst students by posing questions, problems and scenarios and allowing students to use their own knowledge and investigative abilities to come to a solution or conclusion.
This method can be used effectively in experiments. Students can be given the necessary equipment, experiment concept and brief method. Using these, they can adapt the experiment to their own hypotheses and opinions on the experiment outcome. In doing this, the teachers opportunity to pose open questions and to probe students on their reasoning behind methods chosen.
This method allows students to draw upon their own knowledge outside the classroom. It allows them to evaluate and assess their own understanding in light of available evidence. It gives them the opportunity to ask at home for example with ideas for an experiment. It can also give students more confidence in their knowledge and to give more input in class.]]> 2017-11-27 13:26:16 UTC https://padlet.com/dearbhla_corbett5/5driqfkvvg5i/wish/210376340 dearbhla_corbett5 https://padlet.com/dearbhla_corbett5/5driqfkvvg5i/wish/210519589 In this lecture we worked on creating lesson plans for Junior Cycle Science. We chose Chemical World 3 as our lesson learning outcome. We came to the decision to base our lesson around the use of story cubes. This would be the third lesson in teaching this topic so students would have a good background knowledge to the topic already. Story cubes are effective in gaining students attention as they require rolling around the cube and thinking about whichever concept is on the side it lands on. It is a good method of including group work in a class and helping students to improve communication skills and to work well with others.
On our cube we chose to include two sides with the name of an element which the students have to draw; two sides with a picture of an element and the students have to name the atom; and two sides with elements incorrectly named and the students have to draw the correct element and also name the incorrect one as shown. This task includes the fib which makes students think deeply on their own current knowledge of the topic. It is a quick way of allowing students to check in on their own learning.
This lesson is accessible to students of mixed abilities as tasks range from basic to more difficult. Some lower learner level groups could also be provided with a periodic table to allow them to work better if necessary.]]> 2017-11-27 17:00:53 UTC https://padlet.com/dearbhla_corbett5/5driqfkvvg5i/wish/210519589