Class so far...

My thoughts and opinions of our science methods class are constantly changing and evloving into a wonderful, yet challenging, learning experience for me.  As so many classmates have suggested, the class format has been so completely different for me; I'm not used to the "vagueness" and seeming lack of structure.  Although, now I do know that there is a structure and purpose to everything we are doing in class.  I, too, was introduced to science education as being very strict procedurally and not having much leeway to explore my own curiosities.  Given that, and the fact that I have not taken a science class since "Rocks for Jocks" my sophomore year of college, I have been feeling pretty uneasy about this new method of learning and teaching science.

As the last couple weeks have passed, many of my frustrations and confusions have begun to fade, and I have been excited to learn how to learn again...if that makes sense.  And also how to best teach my future students.  I think that my only lingering frustration- or maybe it's more of a challenge- with this class is the open discussion format.  As I have learned about myself and my own learning, I am much more internal and prefer to express my thoughts, opinions, ideas, etc. through writing.  I have appreciated classes that balance "discussion" through both in-class and written formats, which is why I think I enjoy blogging so much.  That aside, I have been learning a lot through actually hearing (and reading) my classmates' ideas, so I have been trying to audibly express my thoughts some in class as well.  

All in all, I feel that this class has been a welcome change, and will continue to help me approach methods for teaching across subjects.  When I have been in my math class, I can't help but think how much I have learned about problem solving, etc. in this class that applies so well to teaching math.  I'm excited to learn more, and I think that the "Learners First" project we are about to begin will be an excellent supplement to my learning.