Sunday, May 13, 2012

My Teaching Perspective - Does this mean I am well balanced?

In my most recent master's class on Systems Analysis and Learning Theory, I was assigned an inventory on teaching perspectives. The Teaching Perspectives Inventory is designed to help you discover how you perceive teaching and learning. There are five perspectives, Transmission, Apprenticeship, Developmental, Nurturing, and Social Reform. They are very clear that everyone uses all five at some point, it is just that we prefer some perspectives more than others.
This was an interesting assignment. I made sure I didn't read the breakdown or articles about the perspectives before I started the inventory. I found it difficult to answer the questions because I often found myself agreeing with statements. This was reflected in my results. I was fairly small in the spread of my scores. My highest score was a 34 for Apprenticeship which makes sense since rather than being a teacher I am an Ed Tech so I am mostly working one on one or in small groups with instructors helping them use different types of technology or helping them integrate technology into their classes. My lowest score was a 30 in Transmission which is only 4 points different. So my spread was only 4 points. I ended up with two dominant perspectives Apprenticeship (34) and Nurturing (33), one back-up perspective Social Reform (32), and two recessive perspectives Developmental (31) and Transmission (30).
Does the spread of my scores mean tat I am well balanced and see that all of these perspectives have a place or does this say that I have not formed my teaching style yet?

I'm Back!

I used to blog here fairly frequently. I'll be honest, it was mostly because I had to for school. I found that I liked it though. I like the idea of writing my thoughts down. It helps me to solidify them and explore them in a different way. Once I have them in concrete form it is easier to reflect on them. I can't lie to myself and tell myself that I always thought a particular way.

Let's be honest. Our thoughts and opinions change on a regular basis. This change comes from perspective and reflection as well as input from new sources. That is why I like blogging. Even if no one else ever reads what I wrote I can and from that I can take a look at my thought process.

So, here's the plan. I aim to write here once a week. The topics will either be taken from my work life or most likely my school life. If you read feel free to comment. Even if you don't I will enjoy the process and really that is all that matters in blogging.