MARCH/APRIL 2021
OCT Practicum Relfection
A look back on a memorable Virtual Practicum!
INTRO
I am fortunate to have a virtual placement in a grade two classroom. Through observing and teaching, I have learned more than I can put words to from the students and staff I have worked with. This special grade two class, brought together by circumstances, have been working together since the beginning of September and are from different schools around a small city.
THE GRADE TWO CLASS... TEACHING ME!
The global pandemic has created a strange way for this class to connect and I can see how it is a positive outlet for students at this time. My practicum teacher has shared a multitude of ways that she has supported her students and served them during this time. I have learned about programs, such as RAZ-Kids, TeachersPayTeachers, SeeSaw, to make virtual learning as seamless as possible. She has given me insight and clarity as to how to teach purposefully online, and advised me of her teaching methods during my time with her. Working without the knowledge of IEP’s or other information from the student’s schools, my practicum teacher has managed to go above and beyond in ensuring all of the students’ educational needs are met. For example, she offers support for students to work alongside her while they do their school work, and she has set up reading groups where she has her students practice their literacy skills at their own level.
MY PRACTICUM TEACHER
She also gracefully gives me opportunities to take on leadership positions in the classroom, to mark work alongside her and she has become a positive role model in my life for the type of teacher I would like to be in the future. She is honest about problems with online learning that she is working to solve, and she treats others as equals (even though she has many more years of experience working with children than I do). The way she has setup her virtual classroom allows for her students to receive support throughout the day with their work, outside of the scheduled lessons that she teaches.
CONCLUSION
I was amazed to see all of the similarities between teaching online and in person. For example, the day is broken down similarly to how it would be with in-person education, and the students get support from teachers as they would in-person as well (if they choose to stay online). Some of the unfortunate downfalls to online learning seem to be the lack of supplies students have access to, the differing involvement of parents, the lack of information from the students’ schools, and how this all in turn leads to assessing the students’ abilities to be subjective. It has been a truly positive experience that has challenged my knowledge and abilities as a future educator, and I will miss this special grade two class dearly.
DURING THE STUDENTS'Â BREAK...
I attended OCT Sessions by PhD Students
I was able to go to two sessions regarding OCT topics (such as math retention in educators) researched by PhD students at the University of Windsor. Each session had three presentations done by different students, and therefore I was able to go to six unique presentations. Click 'Read More' to see my personal reflection of the sessions I attended.