Three things…

I managed to sign myself up for a How to write a better blog online course. Because, dear reader, this blog isn’t just for you… no, this is to teach me how to be a better writer and a better reflecter (I’ll bet that’s not even the right use of the word… but I’m going to pull a you can do anything on the internet, grammar and spelling don’t count)
So my task today to improve said blog is to provide a list. Totally open-ended. The rest of the 10,000 participants in this online course are mostly marketers, trying to sell something (not necessarily material but also opinion). That’s not my goal so my list then is this, right off the cuff. I have to get this done because I have planning to do for tomorrow. I want to use Google Sketchup in my MPM1D Geometry class and that will take a little time.

Three things that will make me a better teacher:

1. Reflection. Reflection. Reflection. Reflection on what I am teaching, how I am teaching it, how it was received, how it can be improved. The issue, of course, is time. But, as is constantly mentioned, if you find it important, you’ll make time.
2. Patience. As has been previously noted, I’m not particularly patient. Surprisingly, that has no effect in the classroom… I’ll quite happily sit with a student to go over mathematics for hours. It’s what I love to discuss so I have no problem spending the time or effort. What I am impatient with is bureaucracy. Stupid rules. Rules that are there only to make things fit into neat little forms. I will be a better teacher when I get over the fact that I can’t change this. Stop tilting a windmills and do what I can.
3. Be more of a out-front leader. Previously, I’ve opted for the sit-back-and-lead-from-behind. Doesn’t work. A decade has taught me a lot. Those who push and get themselves out there (and not always in a bad, back-stabbing, conniving way — which, unfortunately does seem successful for some — but in an open and sharing fashion) are those that are leading nowadays. Waiting for someone to notice what I’m doing is useless. I have to publish. I have to share.

So that’s my list. I’m sure my students would have a completely different one. Hmm… I think I’ll make up a Google Form and ask them.
Oh… and I figure a blog posting is better with pictures.