Learning is Emotional

I have already changed my focus on my thesis twice. However, I think I am getting somewhere. I am getting to what I am really interested in. I think this class had something to do with it. Actually, I am sure that it did. I have been thinking a lot about how "learning is emotional." For learning to take place, a student needs to have their basic needs met. Then, the student needs to have their emotional needs taken care of. As teachers, we have a duty and necessity to make our classrooms places that are safe. We need to provide a learning environment where students feel safe, where the teacher is trusted, where risks can be taken, and where there is a community.
Because learning is emotional, it needs to have meaning. Students need to be engaged. The content needs to be relatable and meaningful to them. We as teachers, need to engage. I have faith in myself and my colleagues to do this. I think, I hope, that we are all beginning to understand this principle for our students sake.
I keep going back to the idea that we need to leave our baggage at the door. Yes, our students don't care about our baggage. But, we cannot teach well with our baggage, and what's the point of bringing it in? We have 20-30 students with their own baggage and we have to provide a place for them and their baggage. We have to learn to teach to all of these students and we have to find our way through their baggage to them.
My question is, How do we teach to the fact that learning is emotional? How do we take this emotion and turn it into something positive and productive? Not how do I teach, but how do I get my students to LEARN?

Resources

I was looking at all of the links for this weeks class on the syllabus. I really liked the resources that are available online for teachers. For example, http://www.pbs.org/teachers has a lot of resources for teachers and lesson plans. I think it is great to think about using technology in the classroom. But, even outside of the classroom, there are a lot of uses of technology for teachers. The internet is space full of infinite information. This information can help teachers immensely. We are in the age where lesson plans are on Pinterest and we can find so many creative, engaging ideas for our students. I realized this in looking at the the links that are resources for teachers. I realized that technology and education is not just about technology being in the classroom for the teacher or students to use. But, it is instrumental outside of the classroom. This is also true, for not only teachers, but students as well. They have an unlimited amount of information. Research and information is more available. We can learn so much more, with so much more convenience!

I was also thinking about class and getting students involved in technology. Not only is them putting their work up online a motivation to make their work great (the world is going to see it!) But, students are on the internet anyways. Why not make use of their time playing games and going on Facebook and have them do fun and interesting assignments online? 

I have been a little weary about technology. But, I am seeing more and more the benefits of it!

First Day

Today's class was not what I was expecting.  I expected to walk into a class full of computers and to learn about how to format and create visual maps or something of the sort. I did not expect much of a discussion. While this class would have been perfectly fine with me, I was pleasantly surprised that the class was a discussion and an inspiring one at best.
I got so much out of today's class and most of it wasn't about technology! (Although I'm sure technology is to come.) I'm a big believer in positive psychology. I do think that what you think, you become. But, I have not related that to my students lives. What I think about them they become. The quote that I liked today was, "It is what you think it is." It is true. Our students will only be what we think they are. We have to believe in them for them to believe in themselves. We have to think that they are able, intelligent, and can in order for that to be true. I have always believed in the full potential of my students, but now I need to really put it out there and make sure that I am conscious about that. I need to be conscious of "How I see you see me." That is so important. We need to see our students in a positive light because they see us and they know what we think of them and what we think that they can do.
I feel like today was so motivational. We have to be so selfless as teachers. We have to leave the baggage at the door, walk into the classroom and be the best teachers (or learners working with learners) that we can be. I've doubted myself and my career choice in the past 3 weeks because of the commitment and load that teachers have to take on. But, today made me certain again and I am so inspired!

"Every person wants one thing. Validation."
"Savor the day."