Getting to know your Students & School
(1) Learning about your students - Photographic - electronic student records
Most secondary school teachers must learn the names of 150-200 students at the beginning of each academic year. This formidable task is made much easier using a photographic seating chart.
- Use a digital camera to make a seating chart for one of the classes you teach or for this class at CSUN.
(2) Student Information surveys - Survey tools
Use a Google doc form or similar survey tool to construct an online first day of school student questionnaire to get to know your students. Post a link to you survey as well as a link to the survey results database. You can use any of the questions provided or questions of your own.
- Provide a link to the form and the database (spreadsheet)
(3) Making computers accessible to students
Given the importance of computers in business and society, it is important that we provide students who have special needs access via specialized software and hardware. Describe three data input or output devices, or three OS or software options that may be used to make computers more accessible to students with specific physical handicaps.
- Experiment with the universal
access features associated
with your computer's operating system and research third-party hardware
and software solutions for
those with special needs. Describe three hardware or
software solutions and explain how they may help students
with specific special needs.
(4) Knowing your School
Teachers should have a good understanding of their school, students, and the communities they represent. Much statistical data can be gained using online resources.
- Develop a written profile of your school and
students. Your profile
should include the following:
- School distinctives : Study your school website and discuss school history, distinctives and goals.
- Geography: Describe your campus and its community using satellite photos and maps. Using the photos, describe the nature of the community (commercial, apartments, single family homes, industry, etc.)
- Socioeconomic status: Include maps showing the socioeconomic status (SES) of the communities contributing students to your school. Discuss two or more prominent SES characteristics of the school population.
- School performance: Include test scores and the Academic Performance Index of your school. Discuss the academic climate of your school, including test scores, API, change in scores, dropout rate, English learners, students requiring special education, etc.
(5) College Advisement
Secondary teachers often have the opportunity to advise students on decisions pertaining to college. In many environments, teachers are the only individuals students know who have been to college.
- Describe a real or hypothetical student (interests, family SES, personality)
who is interested in pursuing a career in a field related to what you
teach. Recommend a major and 4-year
college and explain the rationale
for your recommendation using information
found on college websites. Provide active links
to the colleges, and quote relevant information.
- Provide a paragraph of advice to the parents of this student regarding financing college. Consider their financial and family situation.