December 14, 2023 - Final Course Reflection

This course was enjoyable because I found there was a lot more free reign than most of the other courses in the program. Initially, we looked into articles and learned about teaching outdoors but near the end, doing the inquiry project was completely of our own choosing. 

For the first portion of the course, I enjoyed reading about how to balance being professional with ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for students with Frank McCourts pieces. To follow this the article on reflective teaching showed me how teachers need to be able to adapt and be open minded for their students. I enjoyed discussing climate change and the impacts it has on the world and that it is essential to educate students on these issues. Many teachers skirt around difficult conversations with their students and I don't believe building this wall promotes a comforting environment for students. I think that being open with students about the world around us allows for you to be a more reflective teacher and creates an honest and trustworthy environment. 

I found some of the classes outdoors to be a way to connect with the world around us. It made me understand the benefit of learning outdoors and using a garden to incorporate students and the world around us. Reflecting back on some of my blog posts, I noticed a pattern of a sense of calmness and connection to the garden around us. I hope to include outdoor learning in my mathematics and physics courses and to show students that they are all connected to life outside. 

The inquiry course has taught me a lot about collaboration and how important it is for students to meet new people and be comfortable in their learning environment. Going through secondary/post-secondary school, most of my projects and assignments were completed solo and it is an experience I feel I have missed out on, but do plan on incorporating into my future classrooms. 

Being able to choose the topic for the inquiry project was great and allowed me to research something I care about. I am not a big fan of traditional lecture styles and I feel getting to look more closely at another framework has given me ideas of how to steer clear of constantly giving formal lectures to students. 

Overall, I found this class to be a unique inquiry course and I plan to incorporate some of the things we talked about in my future teachings.