Action Research

DESCRIBING INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICE IMPACT ON CULTIVATING GLOBAL AWARENESS IN SECONDARY STUDENTS

Teachers are always looking for ways to improve their classrooms to make the most effective learning environment possible for their students.  One strategy for this is Action research.  This involves identifying a problem within the classroom, trying various solutions, and determining which had the best results.

For my personal Action Research during my student teaching, I wanted to GO BIG OR GO HOME!  So I decided to take a look at secondary student's global perspectives in agriculture.  I wanted to know where their passions lied, if they had any. First, I needed to figure out if the students had any passion for global agriculture.  I discovered through an initial survey and knowledge test that it was very low.  Their knowledge about global agriculture was low and their passions for it was low.

So I incorporated a 4 week instructional unit on global agriculture.  I decided to incorporate several teaching strategies within the curriculum to see if instructional practices would be enough to increase their knowledge and passion of global agriculture.  This would be determined by a repeat of the same survey and knowledge test.

Then I wanted to know if personal connections to students of a similar age from another country would have a different impact on the students.  This would be determined by a final repetition of the same survey.

What I discovered that while the 4 week instructional unit greatly increased the students level of global knowledge, by 80%, there was no significant change in the classes passion for global agriculture.  They are still considered to be globally unaware.  

Unfortunately the communication contact that was supposed to be maintained after my departure from Penns Manor High School In Pennsylvania to Mopan Technical High School in Belize diminished.  So I was not able to complete the second half of the research.  I can conclude however, that as a teacher, if I am interested in increasing secondary students global awareness and passion in agriculture, pure instruction is not enough.  They need something more, something greater.  I believe the contact with other students is the key.

Administrator Interview @ Mopan Technical

INTERVIEWING IN ANOTHER COUNTRY-WHO KNEW!

Today, I completed a mock interview with the principal from Mopan Technical High School.  It was a really great experience.  We discussed how the hiring process works at their school and proceeded to go through the interview itself.

I am so glad I went through this experience during my student teaching.  I would never have guessed at the difference in the questions and the attitude during the interview.  But first, before I explain why, allow me to start from the beginning.

First of all, when applying for a teaching job in Belize, there is no standard teaching application. So the school themselves get to choose what they require.  So what do they require?  A cover letter and a resume, along with your teaching certifications and documentation of other additional training and previous work experience.  That's it.  Yup! That's it.  No complicated application that you need to fill out ahead of time describing your entire life accompanied by an essay. I was fairly shocked.

For Mopan Technical, there is only ONE interview.  There are no rounds, there are no finalists, there are no second chances.  You have one shot.  The interesting part, was that the questions asked during the interview, I would say were more personal.  The "interview panel", principal, were more interested in where I lived, my method of transportation, if I was married, and what I studied.  There were no questions about teaching strategies, pedagogy, classroom management etc.  

The reason that I found this experience so valuable was because it made me realize just how important it is to do thorough research of where you are applying prior to applying.  If I had walked into this interview, I would have probably done poorly simply because I was not expecting the questions to be so personal.  Not that I could not answer them, it would have caught me off guard and hesitant to answer.

The reason their questions were so personal, is because in Belize, transportation is difficulty, times are irrelevant, there aren't major background checks to document an individuals criminal history.  So of course they are trying to make sure that you are going to be able to perform your best at work and not have other issues getting in the way of the job.

In reflection, I know that whenever applying for a job, it is extremely important to look into the issues, concerns and interests of where applying whether it be Belize or in the States.  

Science Classroom Visit @ Mopan Technical

Quality example of teacher effectiveness

I have been struggling for several weeks with discipline in a couple of my students.  So I decided that I would observe another classroom.  I was also supposed to do this as assignment so I am double dipping ;)

I observed my sophomore class of students in their chemistry class.  I was noting both the teaching strategies used within the class but also the students' behaviors.  The class was 40 minutes long.

I noticed that my trouble students were much better behaved in this class.  But I noticed that the teacher knew the students very well.  The teacher knew their backgrounds and their interests.  Fortunately we had a great conversation afterwards about these students which was very helpful in how I handled them in my following classes.

In regards to the teaching strategies, I was a little bummed.  The class was a very typical class that I have seen here at Mopan Technical. The teacher instructed and the students listened and that was about it.  There weren't very many engaging strategies, or methods for getting the students to participate.  Now, at the same token, the teacher did give them a worksheet.  The students did complete the worksheet but it was merely a repetition of balancing equations.  The students discipline started to decrease when it was passed out.  Many of the students just didn't do it.  Ah! It was frustrating to see them acting this way but a relief to know that it wasn't just my classes.

Student Teaching Week 15

A Bittersweet Goodbye!  

Student teaching really truly has come to an end.  I can't believe it.  Sitting back and looking at these last 15 weeks, I wonder "Where has all of the time gone?".  Then I flip through my lesson plans and Assignment portfolio and realize where it went.  

This last week made me realize a few things.  I am never going to be loved by all of my students, but I will impact a few of them.  As I was saying goodbye to my students, some were in tears and others were saying "Thank Goodness!".  I wrapped up my classes with final evaluations and lessons with all of my students.  The evaluations were just as extreme as my goodbyes.  Some were very complimentary and others were rather not. 

Surprisingly, a very touching goodbye for me was when I was saying goodbye to the staff at Mopan Technical.  I realized, they have been rooting for me, supporting me, encouraging me, and just simply there for me these last 7 weeks during my internship.  They were sincere in their exclamations of missing me as I departed the school.  They were interested in maintaining communication.  They genuinely wanted me to come back and visit the school in the future.  I felt extremely blessed to have such a community who sympathized with me through my struggles with my students and gave a helping hand every step of the way.  

                                        


The teachers were kind enough to host a goodbye BBQ for me.  It was absolutely delicious!!

Student Teaching Week 14

A BREAK THROUGH IN CROSS-CULTURAL BARRIERS!

Can I please just say. "I'm feeling GOOD!"  

This week has been an incredible week. I think my adrenaline was raging faster than whitewater rapids.  I feel like I made several major break throughs with my students.  For the longest time in my teaching here at Belize, I kept hitting this wall with my students.  It felt like I was on one side trying to communicate and connect with the students who were on the other side only getting bits and pieces of what I was saying and only hearing about who I am rather than seeing.  This has created several challenges in my classes that I have been struggling with.

Well, fear no more because the walls are coming crashing down! What is breaking them up?  Well, for one, I finally had a couple opportunities to sit and chat with a couple students while working on the biodigestor.  We talked about our experiences, about what we liked to do, and where we come from.  Some of these students were excellent in my classes, others...eh....not so much!  Once they realized that I truly cared about them, they were like angels in my classes. Which I happened to notice this week.  

Secondly, I prepared a very challenging lab, actually on dissecting flowers, for my sophomore students who have me completely baffled.  The lab went extremely well.  At least in terms of previous classes.  EVERY student handed in the assignment to me before the end of class, they genuinely asked questions for me to assist them, and they declared their love for the more inquiry based lesson.  While the class still acted like a bunch of hooligans, I could see that I gained the respect of at least a few more students.  Cha-Ching!!  I'm conquering them one at a time!

Thirdly, I finally realized that I was talking way too fast and using words my students would not admit they didn't know.  I thought I was making sense, I thought they were comprehending yet I suddenly realized, that was NOT the case.  So I have slowed down in my teaching this week and it worked!  I could see a change in my students faces that they were actually on the same page as me.  

All of these major accomplishments were able to happen only because I spent a significant amount of time with my Belizean supervisor reflecting on my teaching and going through what was happening and thinking through the next steps to take.  

While it is sad that my teaching is drawing near to an end, I feel confident that if I stayed here at Mopan Technical High School for a few more months, I could have some pretty awesome classes doing some pretty awesome things.  This wall that I am attacking, is a stone wall.  It has to come down one stone at a time and that's exactly what I'm doing.  I'm identifying one problem area, creating a solution, and resolving it.  The changes I see are amazing!

In the two pictures below, you can see my students were butchering chickens.  Several times throughout the school year, the agricultural classes will take a Friday and butcher 100 chickens to be sold to school faculty, students, and community members.  In the other picture you can see some of my students taking care of their broiler projects during their double period "Practical".  These students are entirely responsible for the care and maintenance of 50 broilers from the day they are brought as chicks till the day they are butchered.

                                      

Next Week

Next Week is the last week of my student teaching experience.  So I will be wrapping up my classes and preparing to return to the states.  It is definitely sad to leave after feeling like I'm finally beginnig to make a difference in my classes.

Student Teaching Week 11

Teaching: More Than Just Classroom Instruction

Student Teaching this week has been vastly different than any other I've ever had.  I got to experience several aspects of teaching that extend beyond classroom instruction.  Some of it was enjoyable, some of it was rather boring.  Yet, it was really good to be able to experience all the additional aspects of teaching.  

What Has Happened

On Moday, Mopan Technical High School hosted the Primary School Examinations.  These exams are for 8th graders who are preparing to enter into High School.  The exams are part of the placement process for the students and are required for everyone to take.  This means Mopan students had a holiday!  I, on the other hand, sat through the exams as a moderator or "invigilator".  The exams lasted from 8 am until 3 pm.  There are two examination days.  Monday was Day 1 for the students which consisted of English and Science.  If I am going to be honest, I was beating my forehead against the wall with boredom.  As an invigilator you may not do anything!  Don't even breath!  

I was also getting very frustrated.  During the exams I was able to identify students who may have been considered special needs in the United States.  Yet, here, there is no help for these students.  Instead, it was obvious that they have learned to hide their disability if they have made it this far, and are struggling to succeed.  It made me think about the role of special education instruction in public schools a little bit more.

Tuesday and Wednesday were relatively normal school days.  The seniors were having presentations on the expectations of their CXC exams.  These exams are their graduation requirements and exams that enable them to apply to further education.

Thursday and Friday were teacher workshop days.  So the students also had holidays those two days.  I spent Thursday working on my biodigestor project.  Friday I chaperoned a group of students who are peer counselors for their school.  That was pretty neat.  I realized that I couldn't just take off and go exploring as I would in the student role, but rather I had to stay back and ensure all was safe.  Kind of a weird thing for me.

Reflection

Anyways, the week was good.  I have two classes which are unruly.  They are certainly a challenge to me and I find it difficult to teach.  After speaking with Dr. Penados, We worked through a couple strategies to find a way to provide discipline which will allow me to provide that structure that is needed within the classroom.  I really hate doing it but I have to go through with my consequences.  I need to realize that by punishing them I am loving them rather than loving them by not punishing them.  Ugh! It's so hard for me.  

Student Teaching Week 10

So Much Excitement!

This week was really exciting with lots of exciting events occurring.  Not only were my classes enjoyable but there was the highlight of the week; open day.  

What has already happened?

In my classes this week we discussed, embryo development within an egg, asexual and sexual reproduction, types of soils, and sheep breeds.  I'm really excited to see my sheep breeds lesson successfully turn into a more inquiry based lesson.  I had the students look at the sheep here at the school and determine what breed they were on their own.  It worked really well.  The students were able to learn a lot.

I realize though, that I really do need to change my questioning.  My style of questioning worked really well at Penns Manor.  However, it's not here.  Students here aren't used to responding but rather being lectured at.  So when they answer questions, it's because I utilize close proximity and they practically whisper the answer to me in a very non-confident manner. So after discussing a few options with Dr. Penados (my Belizean University Supervisor) I've come up with a few techniques that will help.  

They are all methods I've seen before but they were all ideas.  To share one example, I attempted a think-pair-share activity that was related to the class material.  I was hoping to get answers we could then discuss.  The problem was my question I had posed was closed to right and wrong answers.  So next time I attempt a think-pair-share activity, I will keep the question more open-ended where it will be hard to have a right or wrong answer.  When the students are sharing with the whole class, I will write all of the answers, right or wrong, on the board and collectively go through the answers.  Again, I feel like smacking myself on the forehead because I know this technique is better, it's just that it finally clicked.  

Open Day

This was such a cool event.  The whole day today, the school was open to the community.  The various classes prepared displays that they have been working on for months! to show prospective students what Mopan Technical is all about.  Words can't explain how amazing the displays were so I'll provide some pictures. 

                                           

What's in it for next week?

Next week I will continue to work on improving my instruction. It will be a short week in regards to teaching.  Monday is PSE (Primary School Examinations) day and Mopan Technical has been chosen to host the exam.  I will be an "invigilate", as they call them here.  Tuesday and Wednesday are regular school days.  And then Thursday and Friday are teacher workshops to gain credit hours for the teachers to maintain their teaching licenses.  

What I am most excited for is construction on the biodigestor which officially begins on Thursday of next week.  I'm looking forward to learning about construction and working with my students on the project.  It will be encouraging to see the fruits of my efforts to raise money for Mopan Technical.

Check in later to see what happens!