Synthesis

Final Blog Subject (Synthesis of Course): In this final blog post, please reflect on how the concepts from this course relate to your work as a future teacher. Please answer at least four of the following questions:
∙ How will you integrate critical literacy instruction in your discipline?
∙ How will you incorporate comprehension instruction into your discipline?
∙ How will you choose and teach vocabulary words?
∙ How will you structure opportunities for students to use oral language?
∙ How will you support your students in writing texts and producing other representations in your discipline?
∙ How will you support academically, linguistically, and culturally diverse learners?
∙ How will you integrate digital technologies?
∙ What kinds of texts will you make available to your students?
∙ Any other concepts from this course that you can apply to your own instruction?
Note: You are NOT required to comment on somebody else's posting for this final blog.

How will you integrate critical literacy instruction in your discipline?
I want to help my students think deeply about the things I teach them from the textbook.  I want them to think about the why's and how's, not just the what's from the book.  One way that I can accomplish this as a teacher is to give them design process assignments.  I will start with a simple scenario where a solution is needed, then ask them to come up with a design to meet the need.  Then, they will use the design process from the curriculum to solve the problem.  Involving each student in the design process, will make it come to life for them and see how it works in the real world.

How will you incorporate comprehension instruction into your discipline?
To ensure that my students are comprehending the material, I would use a lot of formative assessments.  I would use probing questions, pretests, interest approaches to get their attention from the beginning, and continually ask them questions and encourage that they ask me questions. 

How will you support your students in writing texts and producing other representations in your discipline?
I will do an "extra" unit about technical writing, since it is crucial to know how to write technical instructions in the field of drafting.  One activity I have done is to have students write a paper about how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with detailed instructions for someone who doesn't know how to do it.  It may seem silly at first, but I will make sure that they include every possible detail of the process so there will be no doubt about how to build the sandwich.  Then, I will explain that this is the type of writing they will do in the industry, only with much, much more complex fabrications.  Though this is not part of the core curriculum, I feel that it should be included in my classes.

How will you integrate digital technologies?

Teaching my students digital literacy will be one of my most important task.  I will encourage them to not only use the software we provide in class (AutoCAD, Chief Architect, Revit, Inventor, etc.), but I will also show them how to use applicable apps (Sketchup, Autodesk, etc.) on their tablets and smart phones.  Also, I will introduce 3D printing in my class to encourage a 3D mentality with their designs.  And finally, I will be sure to stay on top of all updates and try to keep my programs as relevant as possible.