I Really am Linear!!

This past Tuesday's class was truly an eye-opener for me. Our discussion in the library allowed me to better understand my students, my family, and myself. I am a linear, non-multi-tasking person while most of my students, my peer at North, my two children, and my wife are non-linear and able to multi-task. Mike's connection of JSOnline as being non-linear and the paper-version of the Journal Sentinel as being linear made me finally understand a great deal about myself and others. I am very uncomfortable with on-line news sources as I feel like I am missing something if I don't click all links. I much prefer to read a newspaper, magazine, or journal from beginning to end. That way, I don't feel as if I am missing anything and can choose to read, skim, or skip. In addition, our discussion helped me connect my linear functioning to my inability to multi-task. As I add to this blog, I am in the peaceful surroundings of my classroom at 7:30 in the evening (no music or Packer game while I am thinking!). My wife is at home (only 2 minutes away) working on her sermon and bulletin for this Sunday with the TV on. Our daughter will do her homework while listening to music, instant messaging, and text messaging. I cannot do more than one thing at a time without losing focus and getting very frustrated.

The point here is that we all have different methods of reading, learning, and performing tasks. Understanding how others "operate" allows us to better differentiate in the classroom. Some of my students like to multi-task with plenty of noise and light. Others prefer peace and solitude in a dimly-lit area as they complete their assignments.

Many other aspects of this past class will benefit my teaching. The jigsaw method of acquiring content was very helpful in that it was more fun to learn about our textbook chapters through the presentations of the other groups. Here were major points that I took with me:

• Chapter 10--Tutorials can limit higher-order learning.


• Chapter 11--There have many different types of data-transfer hardware over the years such as floppy discs, CD's, laser discs, and jump drives. In addition, the ESCAPE acronym was useful in that it explains how we can move toward more inquiry-based, student-centered learning through the use of multimedia.


• Chapter 15--Mike's presentation of ethical issues and cheating was most helpful as we require our students to cite their sources and paraphrase. Equity issues also caught my attention because I do have students from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds and have seen first hand how these differences can impact learning.
  

This past class was most enlightening. I cannot believe how fast the four hours go. That is a good thing because it demonstrates how engaged we are with our learning. Now, our task is to bring that same engagement back to our students.