Mr. Higgins’ Blog

My First Semester Exam Experience

Thus far I have made it through half of the school year and have finally finished grading the semester tests.  My tests were given in a variety of formats.  My web development class gave presentations on websites they created in FrontPage 2003.  AP Computer completed a written test and a programming project which was to mimic the way the guidance department deals with schedules.  Visual Basic seemed to have much more fun making their own web browser rather than the written test.  Finally, Algebra II took your standard written test with a couple of story problems in the mix.  Enough about the tests themselves, blogging is really reflecting on what one has learned.

Teaching Programming and TRUE student success

Teaching programming/computer courses is a very different animal than people realize at first.  As one of only two teachers in the building capable, there is a lot of information that is inside my head about HTML, Javascript, Java, and Visual Basic.  (Also have cobwebs of C++)  The point of teaching programming is to change the way the students think from a logic and problem solving standpoint.  The point IS NOT TO PASS or achieve a certain grade.  Those students that THINK, PRACTICE, and PRODUCE are those who are successful with programming concepts.  I feel so good when a student asks me about something they are doing outside of class and I can’t answer their question.  Huh?  Yes, you read correct.  The student that starts to maximize their skills to areas that I have never had to program or even think much about are really the ones I love to reach.  Naturally I feel bad about really not being able to answer their question but I generally point them to a resource which will help them positively.

Schedule Changes and my Teaching Abilities

1st Semester: Web Development, AP Computer, Algebra II, and Intro to Programming (Visual Basic), Study Hall

2nd Semester: Web Development, AP Computer, Algebra II, Advanced Web Development, and Operating Systems

Many other teachers who would read this blog (I hope you are still out there) , understand having many different preps.  I feel I am almost hindered because I have two areas of certification.  Kind of like the blond saying it is a curse to be blond.  My areas are Mathematics and Computer Science.  The school looks at those and decides that I can teach both subjects at various levels.  If I had only one area of certification wouldn’t I just be getting a full year of study hall and another duplicate class to fill the schedule?  Sure is hard developing young teacher skills with this type of schedule and different types of classes.

I have had so much to do that I have not had the chance to thoroughly develop alternate strategies of teaching, differentiate instruction, and provide adequate time for those students who need help before or after school.  I knew what I was “signing” up for and understood what it would mean, but what about 5 years from now (the key year highlighted in studies)?  What if I still have this type of schedule and feel that I still have not had time to develop in any specific areas.  I hope in the future that I will be allowed to have some sort of continuity.  Not because of work.  Not because of time demand.  Not because of subject matter.  Not because of laziness or ambition.  BECAUSE MY STUDENTS are losing out on instruction which could be much more solid.  This is surely something I will blog about in the future months when I get some free time.  I hope there are some readers who can relate to this issue and can provide me some solid professional advice, rather than act as if I’m complaining, which is far from the truth.