Fall 1999
Vol 8 Issue 1
IN THIS ISSUE...
Student Voices-Insights on Invaluable Learning Experiences
Taking Learning and Leadership Seriously
Redefining the Learning Environment
A Win-Win Situation for Everyone
Challenging Beliefs about Good Teaching
An Emphasis on Quality Learning
Involvement in the Teaching Process
Providing Support and Motivation
Learning at a Community College: An International Perspective
ASSIDERE
Getting Students Involved in Assessment
Students Sharing Their Learning
SEE ALSO...
The Labyrinth
Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction
Dynamic Learning: Involvement in the Teaching Process
Jenny Casselman, SMCC
What exactly is Dynamic Learning? It is a method of teaching like no other. By moving away from the traditional classroom of boring lectures and pointless tests, these classrooms are full of group discussions and thought-provoking, real-life situations. Also, the students run the classroom. They develop a set of rules and consequences for the classroom, and they create a club for the future teachers. However, the best part of Dynamic Learning is the wonderful learning experiences.
I became interested in teaching after watching my two younger nephews enter school. I noticed how happy and excited they were to learn, and I knew that I somehow wanted to be associated with a similar experience. After hearing about Dynamic Learning, I knew that this was a chance to help me achieve my goals. Little did I know of the great opportunities that it would provide. Also, I had fun, interesting classes. As a second-year student in the program, I feel that Dynamic Learning has given me the experiences that other programs may not have offered to someone who is just beginning. Also, these classes have provided me with an abundance of knowledge, strategies, and philosophies that will help me become a great teacher.
Walking into my field classroom on the first day of observation, I did not know what to expect. Because it was a bilingual classroom, I anticipated that many of the kids were going to be Hispanic and speak Spanish. To my surprise, this was not the case. The classrooms were racially mixed, and all of the children were speaking Spanish as well as English. This was a very valuable experience for me. I was able to follow a group of students for a semester and evaluate their growth as learners. Additionally, I was able to learn many different approaches to teaching students.
The Dynamic Learning program is much more advanced than any other teacher preparation program available. In only the first semester, students are entering the classroom to be passive observers of different teaching styles. During the second semester, students actually become teachers' aides. They can do small group activities, work one-on-one, or they can present a lesson. Since this program is based primarily on what the student wants, the teachers place you in classrooms based on what specialization you choose i.e., elementary, secondary, bilingual, or special education.
Because it is not a typical classroom, Dynamic Learning has become an exceptional program. It is an advanced way of teaching and learning. Instead of tests and lectures, our instructors discuss real problems, and we are taught different methods of teaching. By allowing students the opportunity to be in the field, they are given an advantage to succeed. Dynamic Learning is building a better future for students and teachers.
