Final Reflection Section EDUC 450
This course helped me gain a better understanding of lesson planning, teaching strategies, writing objectives, classroom management, and assessment. The practicum experiences and resources in EDUC 450 helped me to develop better teaching skills and knowledge in various areas. Through this course I was able to hone my skills in lesson planning and writing objectives. I have a greater understanding of how to create objectives that are applicable to students' lives. Additionally, I learned to better incorporate my teaching philosophy in my lessons. I learned about a variety of teaching strategies that I can use to engage diverse learners, as well as meet social and emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of my students. One of my goals has been to improve my classroom management knowledge and skill set. I learned about teacher behaviors in the classroom, setting predictable routines, and how the physical space of a classroom can affect learners. I learned ways to set predictable expectations at the beginning of the semester. Additionally, I learned how to respond to both positive and negative student behaviors. Furthermore, I learned better ways to empathize and communicate with struggling students. Finally, I built my assessment knowledge and skills. I learned more about the different types of assessment such as formal, informal, traditional, and non-traditional. I also learned that grades do not always have to include content knowledge, instead they can include progress, and accountability. I am excited to use what I learned, in EDUC 450, in student teaching, and in my future career.