Learning about inquiry and wonderings has changed the way I analyze questions I have about my tutor placement. Before learning about wonderings, I had questions about students that no one seemed to be able to answer. I felt that these questions would always be floating around in the back of my mind only to disrupt my sleep patterns. I felt hopeless, to say the least. Now that I have a better understanding of what a wondering is, I realize that those 'floating questions' were really just wonderings that could be of some use in my study of education and could potentially change the way I teach and affect students.
In my current placement, I tend to focus on students that do not show much motivation. I see the same kids, week after week, fall more and more behind, and I ask myself,"Why?". I have been trying to use what we have been learning about inquiry to take that question and work towards an answer. I now realize that there may not always be a definite answer, but after looking at the literature on forces outside the classroom and principles of motivation I know that I do not have to give up on this question of "Why?". The information I need is there. I can make a difference and understand what I need to do as a pre-service teacher if only I take that step into inquiry and implement these findings.
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A very important thing that you mention is the influence of forces outside of the classroom and for these particular students the forces from outside the school environment entirely. Many times it takes trial and error until you can find something that works. I think the most important thing is that you do keep trying...and reflecting...and getting to know them. It is hard to do that in the 2 hours you have each week in my classroom. But many times it means more to these students than you know just the fact that you do try.
ReplyDeleteI seem to have the same tendency as you to focus on students that seem to lack motivation in the classroom. I agree that sometimes you can end up feeling hopeless as times due not being able to figure out why or how to get these students interested in the lessons. I think it is very important to not give up on them and even if you don't succeed with each child, at least you can say in the end that you tried your best. I feel we still have a lot to learn as pre-service teachers and feel this learning about inquiry has enabled us to see teaching and reflection in a different light that will lead us to future success and satisfaction in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to your passion to find a way to help the struggling students. It is one of the most heartbreaking things to experience. One of my greatest wonderings is knowing when you have to just move on with a lesson even when you know that there is that one kid that still isnt' getting it...
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