Final Course Blog

          In my quest for a masters degree, I have been very pleased with the program I chose.  Because I teach middle school, I  have been doing research on what a student in middle school feels is essential to learn.  With this program, I  have been learning about many aspects of educational programs that will help in the understanding of what is essential learning.  The concept of essential learning sounds vague, and it can be.  Since many of us are are tied to the curriculum at hand,  it is not in stone that we cannot deviate from this and enhance our teaching style by looking into the 21st Century learning as a way of propelling students into their future.  For middle school students, learning about the brain and how it is so different from other age group brains has given me a greater understanding of how to approach my students.  Being more creative can lead to more motivation.  I do know that certain motivation techniques with the students do not work, but the lesson on the types of motivation has allowed me to focus within the classroom using the motivation that does seem to work.  Being presented the flipped classroom model has also given me a better understanding of what it is and I was pleasantly surprised when I gained a greater understanding from one of the leading experts in the field.  I am excited to learn more, practice more and allow my classroom to reap the benefits of my energy.