Mary Hovey

UNM LLSS 315

October 18, 2007

Five Dimensions of Learning

            This semester has been a growth period for me in so many ways. As I entered the UNM program I had no idea what to expect. I took on three major projects this year, entering the UNM program, teaching twenty-two Kindergarten students, and the continual responsibility to my husband and three children. This is an ongoing learning process. To say that I have grown in my schooling, as well as in my other aspects of life, thus far into the term is an understatement. To be able to write on my growth in the classroom as it applies to the UNM program I will break my experience down by using the four major strands of work and the five dimensions of learning, as used in our LLSS outline.

            The first strand of work mentioned in the outline is that of communication. This is an area that I thought that I had, not mastered, but had major experience with. I was wrong. Within these past few months in the UNM program, I have learned that part of being a great communicator, is being a great listener. I needed to learn to listen to other’s experiences and interpretations of subject matter, to fully grasp the ideas that surround me. To listen is to learn, is something that I always tell my students. I however, had not applied that to my own learning. Sure, I listen when I am absent of any knowledge of the subject, but have the urge to speak when I have experience of the knowledge being taught. I felt that if I could talk through the subject, I could better understand it. This is true, but not at the expense of other’s learning. Over communicating is an area that I am learning, and will continue to learn about during this term.

            The next strand is research. This has got to be my least favorite strand to think of. I am not a fan of the process of research. I do feel however, that it is a large part of the learning process.  Research is the way we gain better knowledge of a subject matter. I feel as if my experience thus far in the semester has been enhanced through research. I had applied this process most during my web page set up and my writing project. These two areas were areas that I had most questions about. I do feel that without research, we can not grow, because we are then only depending on our own knowledge. I think that any teacher that tries to depend on his/her own knowledge in teaching is doing a disservice to themselves and their students.

            Technology is the next of the four major strands of work. I will admit that this is my weakest area in the strands. I have little knowledge of this area, but am forcing myself to ask for help and forcing myself to learn more. The web page has been my most challenging. Through trial and error, I have begun the learning process. By the end of this term, I will hope to have mastered this. Technology is a major component, now a days, in the classroom. I know that my fears of the advancing technological field are holding be back from being a better teacher. Just getting by is no excuse. I will continue to push myself in this area.

            The final strand mentioned in the outline is collaboration. I have touch on this in my communication section. It is important to gain a better understanding of others knowledge. The area of collaboration that I have learned most is in working with Mrs. Bradshaw’s fourth grade class. Listening and collaborating with the students has been a real important step in my learning experience.  When I was a student in the fourth grade, the teacher was someone who told us what we thought, not asked us what we thought. I am glad to see certain things such as this change.

            I must say that my confidence and independence have increased this term. I struggle to put on a front. I was always taught to appear confident, even when I was not. I tink at this point in the semester, I have gained confidence and have enjoyed a greater feeling of independence through teaching, with my own students, as well as with the fourth graders that we have been working with. When we were told that we were going to work with fourth graders on a writing project, I panicked!  Two words that impose fear into my confidence are: FOURTH GRADERS and WRITING. I am glad to see however, that instead of tearing down my confidence level, writing with these students has worked to boost my confidence level.

            I feel as if the knowledge gained in this class has been priceless. The writing program, web pages, group discussions, and lectures have all bolstered my knowledge in and out of the classroom. The experience thus far has been a confidence builder for me. I have already applied some of the knowledge that I have learned, not only with Mrs. Bradshaw’s students, but within my own classroom.

            The skills and strategies dimensions of learning have been the most valuable to me. Learning how to use different methods in the process of writing have been the most beneficial to me. Examples of these writing processes are: the six traits, the four square approach, and the web outline. I went to teach the children the other day, and bought a four square book for use, in my own classroom. Where I was lacking in my writing, I have learned to break it down and let the information just come together.

            The part of this class that I have enjoyed the most is our shared discussions. I have learned more from our secessions together. I think that I have gained more from listening to others within our group than I could have ever gotten out of a book. Placing those experiences, or prior knowledge, into context within text, gives a clearer understanding of the text. Taking those experiences, those that have worked, along with those that have not worked, and using them in our classrooms and in life helps us to grow. I have grown in my knowledge and understanding of the classroom environment, and in the understanding of other cultures. Working with Mrs. Bradshaw’s class has helped also with emerging experiences. These have proven important to me as my students come from a multitude of backgrounds and cultures. I have grown greatly based off of shared knowledge and experiences and the experiences that we are facing within our class now learning and experience are both on going. What we take from each determines what kind of teacher we become.

            In reflecting on this term so far, I would have to say that my decision to enroll in this class as a first semester class has proven itself to be one of my better decisions. The knowledge that I have gained thus far has been priceless. Working with the other students, Francis, Mrs. Bradshaw, and the fourth graders at Apache, have helped me to grow tremendously as both a student and a teacher. I feel as if my progress thus  far has been phenomenal! I will take from this experience and continue to push myself in the on-going, never ending learning process. If we were given a grade on knowledge learned, I would say A+.

I hope that I have contributed my best to this program. I know that I have worked hard to maintain a level of professionalism within the class. I do feel my area of weakness is one of preparation. I will continue to work on my organizational as well as communication skills. If I were to be graded today, I would hope for a grade of A-. The minus is added because; I feel that dedication to work can be improved. I hope that the last part of this term, I can show improvement in this area.

If there were anything that I would like to see changed in this section, it would be a more detailed outline of where we should be with the fourth grade writing program. For example, October 18, 2007-finish writing stories. This would be better for UNM students as well as the fourth grade students. Setting goals might help all to stay on track. I realize that this is a learning process, but I felt confused by the first few secessions of the writing program. At times, what Mrs. Bradshaw’s students were saying that she said needed to be done, conflicted with what UNM students thought or were told needed to be done. A clear schedule could clear up any conflict or perception of conflicting directions.