Hi,
I have to write a reflection paper for my human development class. I am working with first graders in an elementary school and our professor wants to know this:
Choose one thing about your practicum site that you think should be different. This can be something procedural, something structural, something related to curriculum or to clients or to personnel. Think about how you would change and improve this thing if you had the power to make it different. Relate the changes you come up with to some area of knowledge in the study of human development. Be concrete, detailed and specific. Is there anything that you can do as an intern to impact this area or to begin the process of change?
I am working with a great teacher and I do not see anything I want to change. She's very creative with her students and she keeps her students engage. The class size is 20. I could talk about making the class size smaller, but I feel I don't have much to write about on that. I have to write a 4 page paper and I do not know if I can stretch that idea out into 4 pages. I need help coming up with ideas to write about. I feel I must make up something big that I can write a lot about, but it is hard when I completely agree with their approach to education compared to other schools. Also, my professor has read my journal about my experience in this practicum site and I have a lot of positive journal entries about the teacher and the school. Can someone please help me come up with ideas I can write a lot about? I'll greatly appreciate it!
This is the same question you submitted to PATH. See the response to that post. Thanks for asking.
It's great to hear that you have had a positive experience in your practicum site and that you appreciate the teacher and the school's approach to education. It can be challenging to think of something that you would like to change when everything seems to be going well. However, there are a few strategies you can use to come up with ideas for your paper.
1. Reflect on your own experiences: Think about your time in the classroom and any situations or challenges you have encountered. Is there anything that you think could be improved or done differently? For example, you might reflect on a specific lesson or activity and consider how it could be modified to better accommodate students' individual learning styles or needs.
2. Research current issues in education: Look for current educational trends or challenges that are relevant to first-grade classrooms. This could include topics such as equity in education, inclusive practices, or technology integration. Explore these areas and consider how they might relate to your practicum site. For example, if you identify a lack of diversity in the curriculum, you could discuss the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives and materials in the classroom, and how this contributes to the holistic development of children.
3. Consult with your peers or supervisor: Talk to your classmates or supervisor about their experiences in different practicum sites. They might have encountered specific challenges or identified areas for improvement that you haven't considered. Sharing ideas and perspectives can help generate new thoughts and possibilities for your paper.
Remember, the goal of this assignment is not to find fault with your practicum site, but rather to demonstrate your critical thinking and ability to apply knowledge in the field of human development. As you brainstorm ideas, try to focus on specific and concrete examples, providing detailed suggestions for improvement. Don't forget to consider your own role as an intern and how you can contribute to the process of change, such as by suggesting new teaching strategies or advocating for additional resources.
By following these steps, you should be able to generate ideas that will not only help you meet the requirements of your paper but also showcase your understanding of human development and your ability to think critically about educational settings. Good luck with your assignment!