The First AEE 413 Lab Session- RTL

On Monday, each of us in the cohort drew packets anonymously to get assigned topics to teach in a fifteen minute time slot. Today was performance day on that lesson!

I drew the "Chess" lesson, and my objectives were to have the students be able to recognize the pieces that are used in chess, have students be able to correctly layout the chess pieces on the game board, and have students be able to identify the value of each piece. After some planning time, I decided on what I would like to do for my interest approach and let the rest of the lesson flow from that.

I decided to set up my interest approach as a form of "Tool Identification", and I had the students get out of their seats and come to the front of the room to see if they were able to identify any of the pieces (chessboard, pawn, rook, etc.). After a minute, the students were asked to go back to their seats and share their observations. They were then asked if they ever played the game of chess; surprisingly only one-third of the class has ever played chess. I then proceeded on with my lesson of the point values per chess piece, and how they were each set out on the board. After I was given my 'five minute warning' I passed out the quizzes and gave them some time to complete it, and we went over it together as a group; however, I was given my 60 second warning, so I rushed to finish going over our last few questions.

After reviewing the video of my teaching performance and going over the learner satisfaction forms, I feel that my teaching ability is not ready yet! There are definitely parts that could have gone better. I really need to work on my presence in front of the classroom. My confidence level just needs a boost (perhaps it just needs caffeine) and I need to be aware of the fact that I actually can use the space provided known as the classroom. 

The first time teaching in front of my peers, being video recorded, and being evaluated sure put the pressure on me, and I know that I did not perform as best of my ability. We can only shoot for better results in the future. It is only onward from here!