CEdu 521 Week 4: Collaboration and So Much More!

CEdu 521 has been a most helpful course in several areas. First, as mentioned in our initial class, we indeed are learning less new material but are now applying what we have learned in our previous courses. Developing a project unit has been most exciting as we add authenticity and relevancy. I cannot wait to introduce my new accounting unit! While looking at the units I teach in Financial Life Skills and Business Venture, I am discovering so many methods to increase the LoTI and “Give a Darn” index. As a business education teacher, I continually strive to engage my students by adding value and purpose to our elective courses. CEdu 521 is helping me do this.

Not only is our course content making me a more proficient teacher, but the high level of collaboration in our cohort is also helping. I sense the enthusiasm we all have to try out our new projects/units. In addition, it is most enlightening to share our work with our study groups. I have learned so much from Tom and Megan. I never would have thought that working with a high school math teacher and a kindergarten teacher would have been helpful to my business teaching. However, they have broadened my view of education and made me think more creatively. I would not be using Inspiration with my 8th and 9th graders without Megan or be starting the process of purchasing a SMART Board without both Tom and Megan’s input. Every week, we help each other process what we have learned. This week, I needed help in developing a rubric and, as always, Tom and Megan came through!

Finally, it is always helpful to hear what other teachers in our cohort, regardless of district, age level, or subject, encounter with their students, parents, peers, district, administrators, tech people, schedules, etc.