Lab 4 Reflection- Problem Solving

My lab this week was designed for my leadership class as they will help take charge of planning their Spring Trip to Maine and participate in a college visit. I felt my lab went really well, it was calm and laid back. I started off by spitting students into groups that they would later use to work on their assignments. This worked out well as an early classroom management.
I presented the scenario but left any additional information out. I then allowed for time for the students to think about what information they needed. I felt this made the students begin to start processing the activity and then when they would be released to work in small groups would already be on task.
I really like problem based instruction as I think it offers the opportunity for students to take personal ownership of their learning. As a teacher I believe the less I talk, the more a student needs to think for themselves thus resulting in a higher level of thinking.
One thing I need to continue working on is avoiding filler words as well as projecting my voice. Overall I thought this was a good lab that definitely gave me ideas for Spring!

AEE 412 Lab 3 Reflection

Wow, my lab this week was chaotic! I think my lab demonstration went well, I accomplished what I set out to do and the students completed the task at hand. However, the behavior issue in my class is relentless! :) The students were installing irrigation systems and utilizing lighters to warm the rubber tubes so they would be easier to attach to the fittings. With no surprise looking back on this, some of my students tried to race using the lighters. For the future I think after I demonstrate the task I will put students into groups myself and then have them spread out so they are not so close together. I think/ hope this will help prevent students from all joining into the misbehavior. The big challenge for the teacher will be helping students and being able to offer that individual attention. Does anyone have any recomendations for that delma? Provided the opportunity is available, I would like to teach students is small groups. With my cooperating center I feel this will be possible, as students work at their own pace and on a variety of projects.