Blog 1

Blog 1:

My first week of school was fair, I guess. I get to see the same people that I like, and I do not like. But so far in my first week I have encountered neither in chemistry. Being a senior, I am very unfamiliar with most of the people. But besides my social standing with my peers, the class isn't bad. It seems easy because it is very different from the lecture-based and otherwise black-and-white classes that I've had in the past. This is refreshing to encounter a new teaching style that involves technology, an emphasis on problem solving, and a lowered priority on what the answer is. I agree with the style. Sure the answer is important, but an even more important answer to a question is how we got there in the first place. Why I think that's important is because I always learn a skill, and shortly forget it because I was focusing on getting the answer rather than using the skill. So I think it will be a very good year regarding what I learn and how I will learn it, although I may not be comfortable without being around my friends. 

But why do I feel so uncomfortable? I think it's because I've gotten used to their companionship. I think it's a huge psychological factor that you do better around your friends. You have confidence. I have experienced this many times. Sometimes I recalled raising my hand to answer a question, which is something I seldom do, when I'm around people I know well. I have also seen this in people around me. Last year, a student who always talked was immediately silenced the day two of his closer friends did not attend class. I know that doesn't have much to do with the class, but it's something to consider with some of your students. And just because I don't talk much doesn't mean anything either. If I do get around this, the class will be fun. I know it. I will be able to learn things like I should be; like those who made their first discoveries years ago. Instead of copying their work from a book, I will be going through the same thought process they did. So it will be more of "why does this happen, and how?" rather than simply "what's the answer?"

(Subject to editing?)