BLOG POST 6

In Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture he spoke about a number of methods that can be used in the classroom. Some of the methods he spoke about were experiences he learned while trying to live his dreams. One method he spoke about was constructive criticism. Constructive criticism is designed to help a person improve. It is imperative for students to receive this in the classroom to prepare them for the real world. Students can become sheltered while in elementary school from the teacher being too passive about what they lack stability in. It is important that the students know the critique is not the teacher picking on them, it is to help them get better at what they are struggling in. An example of constructive criticism in the classroom would be correcting a student on their method of writing a paragraph. Make a note for the student or students on their paper or address it to the entire class if the majority of the class is making the same mistakes. Addressing it to the entire class will help to correct the errors they keep making. Addressing it to that one student will keep the student from being embarrassed.

Another method he spoke about and that I am very familiar with is story telling. Randy advised us that story telling activities allow children to learn. It was so funny to hear him speak about this method because one of my teachers, Dr. Shelly Bradford, advised our class about the story telling method. Story telling is not only fun it allows for dialogue and feedback from the students. It switches the students’ learning environment up some. It takes away the boring way of teaching where the teacher does all of the talking, and it allows for the students to give their input and knowledge to a class lecture. So it helps to take away from the traditional “burp back” method.

Showing gratitude to your students was another method Pausch spoke about. An example of showing gratitude to your students would be rewarding your class with a treat after passing their standardized tests. We all know it is necessary for our class to pass these tests because it benefits us as teachers. We receive pay raises, and recognition for it. Our students become stressed and tired from the constant studying of these tests as well. So it’s only right that we show our gratitude to our well deserving students.

The last method Pausch spoke about, that I will be sure to use in my classroom, was find the best in everyone. We all know that we will not have “star” students. Everyone will not be the smartest, best athlete, or best behaved. Our job as educators will be to look past the negative and to find that positive in our students and work with that. Look at the big picture and achieve the main goal we are her to accomplish. That goal is to educate each and every one of our students as best as we possibly can. If Sarah constantly causes distractions in class because she cannot stop talking, flip the situation. Allow more dialogue in the class lecture and allow Sarah to voice how she feels on the subject. This will allow less disruption in the class, keep Sarah from getting into trouble, and it allows you as the teacher with to do your job.

I was shocked when I read the title of this video because it is Randy Pausch’s last video. I thought it was a very nice way to end his last lecture with so many people he cared about attend, including Jon Snoddy. The happy birthday song he had sung to his wife on her birthday was so sweet. He touched so many helpful topics to use in the classroom. This is a must see video for all future and current educators.