Chapter 2

Chapter 2: What Really Matters in Teaching? (The Students)
    The title of this chapter basically sums up what all teaching should be. It should be student focused. There was an analogy made that teachers are the employee and students are the customers. According to Tony Wagner, a published educator, students are born with curiosity, and creativity. I believe that it is a teacher's job to prolong this curiosity. By working with students teachers will hopefully allow students to explore their own thoughts about subjects, to be willing to share, and to explore more on their own.
    I think that the author explained why we need DI and UbD in our classrooms in a clear way. Using examples of students gave me a better understanding of how much it matters for teachers to know their students so that they can understand what is happening in their lives and plan accordingly for any issues.
    I think that the author makes it very clear that plans should be liquid. They should be allowed to change with the students needs and form to alleviate any issues that the student has. By just lecturing at the student, the students receives only surface knowledge that may not last beyond the test unless they are a specific type of learner. Allowing students to explore on their own opens up time for more one on one instruction and a deeper understanding of a topic that they can have a hand in choosing. Giving students this autonomy makes them feel like they have a place in their own learning.


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