Tuesday, August 27, 2013

UPRAG Teacher Preparation Program Conceptual Framework

The UPRAG TPP Conceptual Framework (document uploaded on the course Moodle page) outlines the programs mission, vision, philosophical support and teacher candidate dispositions. After reading and meditation on the document, what is your reaction to what is expected of the future teacher developed under this program? What do you believe are the highlights of this document?

25 comments:

  1. The conceptual framework highlights the importance of mastering the subject in which the teacher candidate is pursuing. In our case we must become not only proficient English speakers, but we must have in-debt knowledge of the standard rules of English. The Education programs goal is to prepare future teachers to be able to successfully provide the student the necessary information, in order for them to become proficient English communicators, in a way that is innovative. The Goals emphasis the importance of developing instructional strategies, applying knowledge of different learning styles, and integrating technology in order to "transform student learning effectively". I believe that the future teacher is expected to multi-task and manage time wisely in order to be able to achieve all the goals highlighted in the framework. It is important to be prepared in order to achieve each goal adequately, however, it becomes overwhelming trying to meet the set standards.

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    1. I definitely agree with you that to be an English teacher, one must have dominance of the language. I have heard of many schools that have English teacher's that are not fluent speaker. The goal of the Education program provided at the UPRAg is to prepare their candidates to become effective teachers in a innovative way. Likewise, a teacher must take into consideration that each student has a different learning style. It is not easy being (becoming) a teacher and it might seem a too tough job. However, the goal of the UPRAg is to help us be those professionals and transmit knowledge to our future students.

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    2. I agree that mastery of the subject we teach is essential but this is just content. The conceptual framework provided firm ground on which to construct our pedagogy.

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    3. I must emphasize on the first line of your comment. Teachers must always have a complete knowledge of the material they are presenting to the class. They must be prepared to explain anything, even if it moves away from what they are currently teaching. For example, one can not teach about adverbs and not know every other part of speech. I believe that our English Program prepares us to always "be prepared."

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    4. I agree. It bothers me so much when the English classes in the Public School System are being taught in Spanish! There are a lot of English majors that are fluent and could do a much better job.

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  2. The expectations are very reasonable, due to the fact that the Program provides the tools needed to be able to accomplish them. One of the parts of this document that I believe should be highlighted is the “Conceptual Framework Model.” There we can see what the Program offers and how they interact and affect each other in a more visual way.

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    1. Yes the model lets us get a complete overview of the program and what future teachers need to accomplish.

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    2. I agree with you when you say that the expectations are very reasonable and I think that if we are willing to carry them on we are going to create exactly what they expect us to do and the results will be as expected.

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  3. The first thoughts that crossed my mind after reading The TPP Conceptual Framework were; why didn't I read this before? how could I had went five years in College without knowing the basics of what I am studying? We as students need to be exposed to what is expected of us sooner in our courses; having said that, one of the aspects that caught my attention was that in the philosophy Hostos was integrated. I feel that it was meaningful to incorporate someone who is relevant to our immediate history and acknowledge him as an important part of our philosophy, because it brings everything into our context. Life long learning was emphasize in the Conceptual Framework, to me that spoke to the fact that in order to create life long learners in the classroom we as future teachers need to be life long learners, that learning does not stop after we graduate. In the career that we chose we will forever be learners and constantly growing and by embracing it and living by it we can teach and inspire others to be life long learners as well.

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    1. I do believe this document is very important in our development as teachers. It highlights all the goals that we must accomplish in the classroom in order to create an appropriate learning environment and be successful teachers.

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    2. I agree on the importance of this document to any future teacher being prepared by our program. The reading of this document is essential for anyone looking to complete our program successfully.

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    3. I laughed when I read your first sentence. I agree. This is something we should have in our "welcome to the English Department" goody bags. It helps make everything a bit clearer

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  4. While reading the Conceptual Framework there were a few phrases that leaped out at me in a very positive way such as "provide educational alternatives with the arts". Alternatives. This, to me, means "different", "fun" and "exciting". This is exactly what students need as part of their curriculum. Other phrases such as "tolerant of individual differences" and "educators should be involved in action researchto participate in school improvement" should be something that teachers do automatically. Yes, it will be hard seeing as how you will probably have 25-32 students but it will be an adventure, and respecting differences will help students learn more efficiently. Teachers should always have present that they will always be students, always learning and should always be doing research. Something that I find a bit complicated is including technology into our classes. Not because students can't learn, but because most schools lack the equipment. Even Computer classes lack computers in the Public School System. The curriculum may indicate that students have to do work using a computer but if the classroom doesn't have computers the teacher will assign it as homework. How do we make sure that the student did it and not the parent or a tutor? This is reality. It is up to us,as teachers, to create miracles. Just call us Magic
    *Mady-Lou*

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    1. I feel that being creative is no longer a bonus feature that the teacher chooses to incorporate in the classroom, but a requirement if you want the student to acquire knowledge and develop skills. Students are no longer interested in education as children were decades ago when education was a privilege not a right. Children now in days lose interest rather quickly and would prefer not to be in school.

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    2. Teachers will always be students. We are life-long learners. When I read the phase "provide educational alternatives with the arts," I didn't go so deep in thought and think that I meant "fun and exciting." Teaching should be like that. They should be fun and exciting and teach in that way. It will be hard incorporating technology if the school lacks its resource. However, this fact should not detain the teacher in his/her job of transmitting knowledge. Even if we, the candidate that are aiming to become teachers are taught to use technology everyday in the classroom, we must adapt to what are our tools at the school we will teach in.

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    3. Yes Ainimer. All educators need to adapt constantly to what the reality may be in their classrooms and schools.

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  5. After having read the Conceptual Framework we can see, in an organized and clear form what the program expect us to do and how to do it. If we follow each step although it is not an easy work, we can get good results from our students. I would highlight a sentence in the Program’s Vision; “The teacher candidate will be distinguished as a knowledgeable, reflective, and transforming professional in continuous learning…” Specifically the part when it says “in continuous learning”, considering that this is a reality that we had discuss in class and that I strongly agree with and I think that this should be part of each educator routines.

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    1. Educators are students for life. It is not only a choice we make when we choose our profession but a reality for those of us who want to continue transforming our pedagogy and student learning.

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  6. My reaction to what is expected for future teacher according to the UPRAG TPP Conceptual Framework is somewhat an over whelming feeling. As I read the document, I could recognize many key words and educational terms. Over my years of studies in the university, I have encountered these terms and I am familiar with them. However, this does not mean I master them completely. I do believe that with the classes being offered at the University and by following the list of classes one is supposed to take to complete a BA, one will graduate and have the necessary knowledge to became a teacher as according to this document. According to this document, a teacher must be opened to encounter and treat the needs of his/her students. The teacher is there to guide the student in the learning process. The candidates must become a "knowledgeable, reflective, and transforming candidate." The vision of this program is that of "The teacher candidate, as a cognitive-humanistic, constructivist educator, will apply the
    pedagogical and professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to help all students learn. " Thus, the teacher must be willing to assist his/her student in every way even ways the teacher does not personally like. This document highlights six core areas which are knowledge, ethics, technology, assessment, life-long learners, and diversity. The teacher must have knowledge to teach in a professional manner with the best technology possible to plan their student learning in any given environment so that their student may be life long learners. Overall, a teacher will always be a life-long leaner. Honestly, it is a lot of information to take in, but I think that if one really wants to give the best of themselves to others, the UPRAG TPP Conceptual Framework is a great guide to became that successful teacher.

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    1. I agree with you, at this stage I still feel like I need to know so much more then what I already know. It becomes overwhelming reading philosophies, methods, techniques and standards. If we make it into a list; are we going to be able to check each one of the requirements? It is a lot to take in at this moment. Having said that, the UPRAG TPP Conceptual Framework does provide excellent insights and will definitely help in guiding us towards becoming effective teachers.

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    2. Yes the goals are not only lofty but necessary for educators who will be affecting lives through their pedagogy.

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  7. The Conceptual Framework is basically what we as teachers need to do in order to become highly qualified teachers. "The faculty of the PPM-UPRAg supports a learning community where the interaction and collaboration among candidates and peers provide opportunities to integrate knowledge with the pedagogical and professional components in clinical and field experiences in all learning communities. These experiences provide sufficient and ample opportunities for self-reflection and assessment of their role as educators in order to become well-rounded and competent professionals." This paragraph reminds me of what we discussed today in class about reflective teaching and peer observation. We need to self-reflect on what we are teaching and how we are teaching. We as teachers can collaborate with each other with what we know (give each other tips). Reading this document for me was a little overwhelming, because I know what we as future teachers are expected to do, but reading this was getting deeper in the topic, it was more real. Teachers need to be aware that students learn differently and we need to use different strategies and techniques. We need to be creative, in order to get the students away from the monotonous routine. “…all educators must be able to continually improve their teaching performance so they can respond to the changing society.” We need to be updated in our teaching and be able to adapt our teaching techniques to our students' learning, because every year we have a new group which means we need to discover how the new group learns or what assessments are better for them. We can integrate technology in our class; we can use this to be creative. If the school does not count with computers or any other equipment for each student, we can look for other options to do so; for example: project the material on the board; the students can play an educational game, or do an online quiz, etc. We need to be familiarized with what we are teaching, master the language, and be able to give a class with certainty. Teaching is not an easy task for those who think that we just stand there give instructions and that’s it. We need to make sure that every child is learning and understanding, and by every child I mean the whole 30 students in the classroom.

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    1. It has been constantly highlighted the fact that we as future teachers need to be aware of differences and changing technology in the classroom. I agree with you, we need to be creative and use our resources in the smartest way possible. I feel too that we need to also be able to mold our teaching style in order to reach each and every student in the classroom.

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    2. "We need to be creative, in order to get the students away from the monotonous routine."
      I always find myself talking about something related to this, because I feel very strongly about it. Being a student, I can't help but understand how sometimes class just gets boring because it's the same thing every day, and when something gets boring for a student, you can be sure their attention will be elsewhere.

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    3. "We need to self-reflect on what we are teaching and how we are teaching". This like our educational banner. I strongly agree with that.

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