Preparation

During the presentation this week we looked at strengths and weaknesses in our program at the university. We had a look at a little quiz created by professors asking university students and first year teachers to rate the preparation and importance they placed on certain aspects of their training. Even for myself I only rated one item at the highest possible placement on the scale and all the rest below.

The most common deficiencies found in the quiz were:

1. Classroom management
2. Understanding the changing nature of pupils' families
3. Working with parents
4. Establishing rapport with pupils
5. Working in an organization (relating with peers in productive interpersonal relationships)

I feel that we have discussed classroom management a great deal in my courses. We have been given a lot of theory on it and showed several practices that we could do in our own classrooms. We have also had several practicums where we should have been putting them into use and deciding which ones work best for us individually.

As for the changing nature of families, well I think we looked at this a little bit in social context in PSII.

Even so, we will become most prepared in these areas through experience in our practicums. It really doesn't seem feasible to have a course on how to make relationships, either you are a people person or you're not. If you're nervous, then practice will make better.

The strengths found were:

1. Writing and using lesson plans
2. Using audio-visual aids and media
3. Knowledge and Skill in computer based instruction

For the most part I would agree with these as well. With the exception of the computer instruction. We have had a few PD sessions offered on using the Smart Board and in PSI there was a technology course but I found it a waste of time. I did not really learn much new or retain anything if there was new stuff.