The end is near

The most exciting aspect of this class that I learned about is open sources. I recently came across this amazing open source called Phun. It's a program that allows me to set up simulations with gravity, forces, and other aspects of physics. If I hadn't been aware of open sources I never would have come across this program that will enhance my physics classes. The great thing about this program is that it's not just for physics junkies like me, it's really phun to play with! If you have a spare minute (who am I kidding, its way to phun, you will need a lot more than a minute to play with it), I highly suggest checking it out.

(check out the video on youtube: its a demonstration of phun)

As I move forward in my teaching the most difficult thing for me, after this class, will be the frustrations in not having enough technology for all of my students right now. My school has started a laptop program however it will be 3 more years before all students have laptops. Once every student has a laptop I will be able to use a whole lot more technology in my classroom. I have been researching LabPro interfaces for lab use in my chemistry and physics classes. I look forward to the future when data will be able to be collected on the computer and analyzed by the computer. I hope that in 4 years I will be on my way to having many more labs on the computer.

R-Directed Thinking

The R-Directed adaptation that I am going to have to most focus on is Pink's 2^nd sense, "not just argument but also STORY." This is something that I already put a bit of focus into when I am creating my lessons, however I feel I have a long way to go. My problem is that I teach science. In science it is important to have a story, very important, in fact, however it is not always easy. It's often easier to simply teach the students how to do a chemistry problem, but to neglect why we do it that way. It's easy for the students to memorized procedures but difficult for them to comprehend some of the complex chemistry or physics that is a fundamental part of the foundation of that procedure.

I think what I need to do in order to become better at giving my students the whole story is to have more faith in my students' abilities to understand complex concepts. I also need to spend more time on breaking that complex information down into simpler, visual examples that the students can easily understand. My students are all extremely hard working, focused, and intelligent. I know that they could understand the story if I just take the time to sit down and tell it. I know that telling my students the story will make me a better teacher.