Final Entry/Reflection on Vaocabulary Learning

In summation of this Vocabulary Journal Assignment, I must admit how grateful I am that it was part of LTED 625. At first I thought it was going to be such a waste of time. Not to be harsh, but we are in graduate school paying a costly tuition, how will a vocabulary journal help me become a more successful and effective teacher? Now the answer is quite obvious.

Vocabulary acquisition and development plays a vital role in comprehension and retention. Not just for students, but for teachers as well. I never used to look words up in school that I was unfamiliar or interested in. I would always manage to get by but now regret not looking them up. I have been able to use the words I looked up in conversation, and this often opens the door to even more vocabulary terms. It is my ultimate goal to build up my vocabulary knowledge so I can have more meaningful conversations with more people. It is not uncommon to want to sound intelligent. So why not build upon my intelligence to accomplish this. J <- That is an emoticon that illustrates me smiling while I wrote that. Yes, pretty neat vocabulary word, I agree. Using more words and interactions in conversation will increase my chances of retention. It is also important as a teacher candidate to construct a more professional vocabulary. This will be essential for communication in interviews, parent-teacher conferences, and staff meetings.

Keeping this vocabulary journal has proven the effectiveness of utilizing new digital and multimedia technologies as tools for teaching/learning content. This is a strategy that is highly transportable for any content area or subject. Students often enjoy working on the computer. Motivation to increase students desire to work with vocabulary is excellent for the school setting. This is also something that can be done at home, which builds a positive correlation between learning inside and outside the classroom.  This journal has also proven its effectiveness in vocabulary development for me. I will continue to use this strategy for myself, which will allow me to learn and keep track of more words. Not just looking them up, but typing them and connecting them with pictures creates multiple connections and opportunities to interact and comprehend with the vocabulary words.

Taking the vocabulary tests added to my word learning my reinforcing repetition and different ways to assess vocabulary. It highlighted the importance of the word itself, the definition, and being able to use it in a sentence. By taking this approach to master these three concepts, I have become more efficient in learning words. I plan to continue to use this approach to study words because it is obviously an effective strategy for me to use. I also plan to implement a similar approach to this in my own classroom. I feel students will be more motivated to work with vocabulary terms, and it will result in high comprehension and success for the students. I would not hesitate to share this with other colleagues. Teaching is about sharing and learning for the benefit and success of the students.

14:3 Android

When and Where Did I Find It? I recently purchased a new phone, the Droid 2. My friends immediately started to argue about the difference of which phones are droids and which are androids. The answer I have them was that all smart phones are androids, but my specific brand is the Droid line.

What It Means? According to www.dictionary.com, an android is “an automation in the form of a human being.”

 http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/android

Level of Familiarity: I am not familiar with this at all. I only recently started to learn about this when I purchased my new phone.

Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? I am indifferent on this term. I think that we have become much too reliant on technology. However, with such advantages and convenience available, it is hard to resist. I am glad I learned more about droids and androids though, so I can be prepared the next time people want to debate.

Do I Want Others to Know This Word Well…if so Who and Why? I think it would be beneficial for others to familiarize themselves with this term. Androids have replaced many of the phones that are out on the market today. They are capable of extraordinary tasks in very little time. Some are more affordable than others, but they are a great tool to have on your person.

14:2 Adjunct

When and Where Did I Find It? One of my friends told me their dad was an adjunct professor at Syracuse University. I pretended like I knew what that meant but went straight to the computer to look it up when I got home.

What It Means? According to www.thefreedictionary.com, an adjunct is “something or someone attached to another in a dependent or subordinate position.”

 http://www.thefreedictionary.com/adjunct

Level of Familiarity: I have definitely heard this word before, and should have remembered what it meant, but forgot.

Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? As a teacher candidate, I need to become more familiar with this term. Although it is my goal to teach full time in a high school setting in my own classroom, I would not rule out the possibility of going part-time at the university level. The aspect of no retirement or health benefit is a big turnoff though.

Do I Want Others to Know This Word Well…if so Who and Why? This term could be useful to all of you. Adjunct professors have the same qualifications as teachers, but it is not as stable because future courses are not assured. This is because it is cheaper for colleges to hire and pay as such. With this economy though, take what you can get. 

14:1 Parasomnia

When and Where Did I Find It? I chose this word from a video called “Extreme Sleepwalking” that I was asked to show a psychology class while teaching at Fairport High School.

What It Means? According to www.thefreedictionary.com, parasomnia is “a category of sleep disorders in which abnormal events occur during sleep, such as sleepwalking or talking; due to inaprorietly timed activation of physiological systems.”

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/parasomnia

Level of Familiarity: I have heard of insomnia before, but never parasomnia.

Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? This is something that I am very interested in. As a kid, I used to sleepwalk. I would get out of bed, go into the family room, grab some pillows, throw them in the garbage in the kitchen, and go back to bed. It was so bizarre! Luckily I grew out of that. I am still astonished at the fact that people can be on the move and totally unaware.

Do I Want Others to Know This Word Well…if so Who and Why? I suggest people familiarize themselves with this word. The number of cases reported for parasomniacs increases every year. Parasomnia can make for some funny stories, but can also be extremely dangerous. In fact, there have even been murder cases of parasomniacs. Be very careful around these people, especially if trying to wake them up.