Neil Burden

I learned that creating a safe learning environment for students is crucial to encourage higher-level thinking.

I learned that providing guidance and holding the ELL student to high expectations can be an effective strategy.

'Instructors that use humor, encourage risk taking and create a friendly environment in the classroom are most helpful in easing students' anxiety and assisting learning.'

'Respect for cultural differences should be at the center of the instructor's approach to ELL students'

Very informative module. I have an appreciation for classroom management, the use of 'I' statements and making sure not to ignore the behavior.

I have learned that a successful instructor adjusts the way they manage their classes as the need arises. Strive to be a guide and not a controller or buddy, and to be a role model for your students.

I enjoyed reviewing the definitions of critical thinking as a a process of evaluating and making reasoned judgements, while analytical thinking is the process of breaking down information into parts to understand its components.

Active learning strategies that I have implemented that have worked are gamification, peer teaching, and problem based role playing or scenarios.

Very informative module. 

This module got me to contemplate the use of Formative and Summative assessment, choosing assessment levels based on Bloom's Taxonomy, and using CATS as a 'small scale assessment technique'. It also gave me insight in using assessment for promoting general education in students.

This lesson gave me new insights into the ways to use questions to invoke deeper understanding; for example, using the Socratic method of inquiry or asking questions for clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic or significance.

What are the characteristics of a good question?

I learned that by focusing on the students preferred learning style, they can achieve a 10-15% academic improvement. However, the student must also grasp knowledge without using their preferred learning style, like they would in a real-life situation at the workplace. Creating a lesson plan that considers all the various learning styles that your students may use, provides more opportunities for overall learning.