 Winter 2005 |
||
|
|
||
NABT College Group: Undergrads Write About Teaching and Learning Ann Lumsden |
 |
|
|
The Department of Biological Science at Florida State University has organized a college student NABT Group with eight senior biology majors. The group was organized January of 2005. Our first project is working at The Capital Regional Science and Engineering Fair. All of these college seniors are TA’S in the Freshman Non-majors Biology Program at FSU. They have participated in the Department of Biological Science Teaching and Learning Workshop for one week in August, 2004. These young people have written about their workshop and teaching experiences. Amanda Sautter I am working on my BS in biology with a minor in chemistry. Dr. Lumsden’s teaching workshop was invaluable to me. I cannot imagine teaching without it; it gave me the skills and confidence to be a good teacher. Teaching has opened a whole new world for me; prior to teaching a lab here at FSU I never considered teaching as part of my future. It is a great feeling to know that you have helped someone understand something they will use for the rest of their life. Teaching has given me more confidence in myself and the skills I have acquired have made me a better person. Jennifer Walker For me, the best part of my senior year of college has been getting to teach Biology lab. Even though I was still an undergraduate, I had already had just as many biology classes as a first year graduate student when I started teaching, and I received no less respect from the students than a graduate TA. I have loved getting to share my enthusiasm for science with so many students. I didn’t know when I started how much satisfaction would come from seeing my students become truly interested in the subject matter because of what I had taught them. Before teaching, I’d always been terrified by public speaking, but before my first lecture was even halfway over, that was all gone. After all, I was getting to talk about a subject that I found exciting, using experiences and anecdotes I’d been accruing for years. Most of the questions and uncertainties I had were addressed in the teaching workshop or wet lab, so I knew what to expect, and what was expected of me, before I entered the classroom each week. Although plenty of unanticipated challenges still popped up, for the most part the training and preparation the Biology Department provided me with allowed me to relax and concentrate on teaching. Theresa Landon The teaching workshop laid the foundation upon which we would be able to stand for the rest of the semester. Components of the foundation, which included how to motivate students, lesson planning, assessment, and questioning strategies, all came in useful every time that I taught. I enjoyed working with the students and teaching the material to such a degree that I have chosen to pursue a career in science education. Sharing what I have discovered with others and then seeing them become excited about it was both rewarding and fun. The experience benefitted the students in that they are now prepared to make decisions in regards to science and their own personal health, but most of all I obtained a greater mastery of biology and acquired the skills to effectively communicate the subject to others in an interesting and informative fashion. Neal Holland The teaching workshop was invaluable in terms of learning different methods and strategies for teaching my students. It also helped me to feel more comfortable when presenting myself to a large audience. In terms of my experiences teaching in the classroom, I come to find that acting as a friend to the students is a very effective way to get through to them. I feel it breaks down any intimidation they may possibly be feeling. One other thing I found interesting is that whenever I bring in personal situation I have dealt with, or any manner in which I can relate the subject matter on a personal level helps me to convey information to them much better. I see they are interested to see how the information I present pertains to them on an individual level. Overall, from teaching class, the greatest attribute I have gained is the leadership quality - that is, being able to take ideas and information, and relate those ideas to a group of people where they can fully understand it is what I am trying to say. I know I will be able to use these skills down the road when I am out working in the world. Eve Winesett The workshop did a nice job summarizing many of the key concepts I learned in my education classes. Teaching this class has given me perspective, which is a beneficial asset. Sometimes it is hard to separate what I know and what my students need to know. I think this has been a valuable experience because it forces me to break down my knowledge into understandable components. I feel pride when my students show understanding after I’ve explained something. This experience has given me the opportunity to see my weaknesses as a teacher and improve them. With every class, I am learning something new and improving my teaching techniques. I think all teachers could benefit from this type of experience. Brandon Culbertson The main message I received from the workshop was that great teachers are not created without some guidance, and develop through hard work and a certain desire to learn more. The greatest asset I have received through my teaching experience is confidence in myself and my abilities. Teaching is an undertaking which, before this experience, was completely outside of my normal range of activities. Teaching has also helped me think more creatively in order to spawn new ways to explain ideas to students. Finally teaching has aided me in becoming a better student as well, I can now understand my own teachers methods of developing and projecting ideas in relation to the course material needed to be taught. Francis Neely Clapp The teaching workshop provided an invaluable transition from student to student teaching. The workshop did a excellent job in teaching us how to teach. Currently I am on active duty in the United States Coast Guard. But given this great opportunity to teach I found that I enjoy being a teacher. So after my commitment to the USCG I will have a decision to make regarding my future employment. To me, teaching is a rewarding experinence for both the student and the teacher in which both gain experince and knowledge of life.
|
||
|
|
||