1. Artifact 5 - The brain: New study explains how your brain helps you learn new skills
1.1. Why I chose this artifact: I chose an image of a brain as my artifact because I believe it represents knowledge and the ability to learn. Each section of the brain is responsible for the way an individual an learn, think, regulate emotions, and develop skills. This image is connected with my professional teaching philosophy in that it is not just enough to give students knowledge on course material, but to educate students to become good citizens, have good values, and grow to have excellent social and emotional skills. I believe the different sections of the brain can be developed within the classroom by creating a supportive learning environment to foster the growth of each student.
1.2. Link to course description and outcomes: A study explained how skills can be learned with the help of your brain. This is true if an educator is able to stimulate and teach so each student is able to learn. Catherine helped explain how students always have things on their mind. If something is happening in their life they will be preoccupied. This is where the importance of engagement and building relationships come into play, which I learned in class. If students are engaged, and trust their educator to discuss issues, then they will be able to better concentrate and learn. In the article I read for this class called "Why your brain needs more downtime," it explains how breaks can increase productivity. Students who are able to identify when they are stressed and need a break, and are able to talk to an educator about it, are students who are part of a supportive and positive environment. The quote of the week in week 15 was "the aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values," which I think represents the meaning of my brain artifact.
1.3. Reflection for future: In my future teaching practices, I will aim to educate the minds of my students not just with the fundamental curriculum work but with the mindset of becoming a morally good citizen which I believe to be important. I will strive to develop my students' critical thinking skills and other skills needed in life. I will also strive to recognize when students are overwhelmed and have too much on their minds, as I now know the importance of down time.
2. Artifact 6 -Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Website, Raising Resilient Children Section https://www.camh.ca/en/education/about/camh_publications/Documents/Flat_PDFs/Raising_Resilient_Children.pdf
2.1. Why I chose this artifact: I chose this paper and section of the CAMH as my artifact because it talks about the importance of creating a safe and supportive classroom environment and the specific effects it has on children. I learned about resiliency in my social and emotional learning class in the Faculty of Education. I know the importance of mental health and what a negative perception of yourself and lack of resiliency can do to a child's learning. The paper talks about how resiliency is the ability of a child to bounce back from difficulties, which is something that students can develop if they are learning in an environment that is supportive and positive. This environment would allow students to recover from academic difficulties they are having and succeed in the classroom, which is why I believe this paper is important when talking about the significance of supportive learning environments.
2.2. Link to course description and outcomes: The paper "Raising Resilient Children and Youth" goes on to explain how supportive learning environments encourages both socialization and discussion. This allows students to develop social and emotional learning skills and create relationships. In week 3 we talked about getting to know your students. I know the importance fo building relationships with your students to be an effective educator from the cult of pedagogy blog. This can help enhance resiliency in children. I believe safe, respectful, and engaging learning environments allow mental and social growth within and among students. CAMH talks about how this type of environment within the classroom allows students to feel comfortable and learn to the best of their abilities.
2.3. Reflection for future: I will strive to create this type of environment within my classroom as I believe this type of atmosphere creates resilient children that are able to form relationships, learn to the best of their ability, gain confidence and feel comfortable and safe.
3. Artifact 7 - Venn Diagram https://mrdiegojaque.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/untitled-document.jpg
3.1. Why I chose this artifact: I chose this Venn Diagram because it demonstrates that there are various aspects that help create a positive and supportive learning climate within the classroom. The Diagram clearly shows that classroom culture, the teacher, and the class set up all influence a supportive atmosphere. This is important to know as a future educator, as the way I set up my classroom, conduct the class, and influence the students as a role model will help determine whether I create a supportive learning environment.
3.2. Link to course description and outcomes: In class we talked about how the physical environment can support learning and behaviour. A non traditional classroom setup that encourages collaboration and discussion promotes a positive classroom environment. Also, a teacher that strives to become someone's champion, as talked about in class, helps promote a positive, supportive environment. Lastly, a classroom culture that is based on trust and acceptance, as talked about in class also contributes to a supportive classroom environment
3.3. Reflection for future: I plan to use this Venn diagram as a reminder of how to create a positive and supportive classroom environment. This will allow me to enhance my classroom management skills to create this atmosphere.
4. Artifact 8 - Paper "Creating a Supportive Environment for All" https://learningforward.org/docs/leading-teacher/march10_killion.pdf?sfvrsn=2
4.1. Why I chose this artifact: This paper encompasses all important aspects of a classroom and gives probing questions for educators to consider when thinking about classroom management and creating supportive environments. It is a great resource for educators to use when trying to create a safe, equitable, accepting and supportive classroom.
4.2. Link to course description and outcomes: This paper focuses on key components of creating a classroom environment that is safe and supportive, all which were discussed throughout this course. It explains the importance of creating a respectful classroom, connecting with your students to build trust, organizing the physical space of the classroom to optimize learning, and focusing on classroom management skills to allow learning for all to occur. I learned the importance of these aspects throughout this course and know they are essential for having good classroom management and a positive and supportive environment.
4.3. Reflection for future: In the future I will consider all of these aspects to create this supportive learning environment for my students.
5. Artifact 1: Creating Autonomy-Supportive Learning Environments | Jon Stolk | TEDxSMU
5.1. Ted Talk - "Creating Autonomy - Supportive Learning Environments"
5.1.1. Why I chose this artifact: I chose this particular Ted Talk because it clearly exemplifies the importance of creating a supportive learning environment. It explains how a supportive learning environment can help create autonomy and self-directed learning among students. Knowing the significance of a student-centered approach to learning, I believe this Ted Talk can be beneficial for all educators to walk to help create autonomy for their students.
5.1.2. Link to course description and outcomes: In week 2 we discussed student engagement and differentiated instruction. One of the readings focused on tools for student self management. I learned that students should be involved in their own learning, much like Jon Stalk talked about in his Ted Talk. When a supportive learning environment is created within the classroom, students feel more confident and are able to learn to the best of their ability. I learned about certain tools that educators can show their students to help with take control of their own learning such as time management logs and reflection and goal setting. This creates some autonomy for students and gives them responsibility. Also, by providing autonomy and allowing students' opinions and ideas engages students which is driven by a supportive learning environment.
5.1.3. Reflection for future: Moving forward, I will strive to create a student-centered approach to learning knowing the benefits that come with it. To do this, I know I must create a supportive learning environment so students feel confident enough to take control of their own learning.
6. Artifact 2 - Paper: Greenberg et al. 2003. Enhancing School-Based Prevention and Youth Development Through Coordinated Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning. American Psychologist 58: 466-474.
6.1. In this paper, Greenberg explains how a positive class environment created by educators allows students to gain confidence and gives them motivation to learn
6.1.1. Why I chose this artifact: I chose this paper by Greenberg as one of my artifacts because after taking Educ 5481, I know the importance of creating a supportive and positive environment to help promote social and emotional learning skills in children. Also, through my personal experience in my first practicum, and volunteering throughout the years, I saw first hand the positive outcomes of an educator creating this supportive environment. I found students participated more, worked better in groups, and felt confident in themselves to be able to tackle the work.
6.1.2. Link to course description and outcomes: In the first week of this course, we talked about the 5 expectations and classroom environment. In the article by Jackie Gerstein that we read, she talks about how it is not about the content but the students. She focuses on getting to know your students, and building positive relationships with them so their strengths, weaknesses, and goals can be established. It is also important because having good relationships with students, which is a social and emotional learning skill talked about in the paper by Greenberg, is the foundation when trying to build a positive, supportive learning environment. If educators are able to have positive connections with their students, they will feel supported and collaboration can take place in the classroom. This was talked about in the class reading and the paper by Greenberg.
6.1.3. Reflection for future: As a future educator, I will get to know each individual student and build positive relationships with them. This will pave the way for creating a supportive learning environment that fosters their social and emotional learning skills.