SOME HELPFUL TIPS

I feel that the blackboard can present a lesson successful, but only if the teacher uses this tool effectively. The most important thing is to write clearly (refer to the video provided) giving students a chance to observe the lesson, this will prevent any sort of confusion. 

* If your chalk squeaks, simply break the piece in half

* Learn to stand and/or move around so you do not block the view of learners
 as you use the board.

* Avoid writing and"talking into" the board at the same time.

A point-by-point outline of a presentation can be made 
on the spot with diagrams and charts 

MAKE SURE SPELLING IS CORRECT!!!

 A good idea is to divide the blackboard up into sections; one section can be erased during lesson whereas the other section should contain important information that should stay up during the entire lesson.

My Practicum expierence

My Practicum expierence

I have learned throughout my teaching practicum at the Adult Basic Education center that everyone has their own unique and similar stories to why they walked through the door. I can compare the classroom environment to that of a one room school house. One teacher in a room teaching a variety of ages, cultures, languages, races and beliefs it takes an exceptional teacher to take on such a tremendous task. The teachers must be creative, taking all learning styles and levels of education in to account, to reach every student. The tutoring process in preparation for the ged test is all learner driven the teachers go the extra mile tailoring lessons plans in detail for every individual student. 

The teacher is not just responsible for their topic of expertise, but teaches general math, English, history, and geography to all levels. I learned the importance of  leading by example instilling character traits, morals, values, and ideals that can be carried throughout life I personally saw the time and energy put into motivating every single student to believe in themselves and letting them know their dreams are within grasp. Making sure each student understands the lesson plan; everyone’s questions are answered before day end.

I have come to realize through my experience teaching will provide me with a career I will love and enjoy while providing me with the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life. From my own experience I have seen students attend school, only because it was the law, students may not have education at the top of there to do list. I have learned the students at the Adult Basic education center is because they have learned the value of education and choose themselves to obtain a ged they just need a little help to get there. I felt that was the most amazing thing.

Drawing carefully, writing clearly, and erasing properly ......

A helpful video to ensure that you use the chalkboard in a effective manner

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS: 

ON HOW TO CLEAN A BLACKBOARD PROPERLY

1. Rub the whole chalkboard with clean erasers in order to remove the large amounts of chalk dust.

• Beat erasers, vacuum them, or rub them with a cloth to make sure that they are clean before you begin erasing.
• Move a clean eraser either horizontally or vertically as you move across the chalkboard, changing to a clean eraser when the one you are using becomes too full of dust.

2. Wipe the whole chalkboard with clean white cloths in order to remove as much excess chalk dust as possible.

• Move a cloth either horizontally or vertically as you move across the chalkboard, changing to a clean cloth when the one you are using becomes too full of dust.

3. Mix warm water and 1/2 cup (120 ml) vinegar in a bucket

4. Soak some clean white cloths in the solution in the bucket.

5. Wring out a cloth from the water-vinegar solution bucket, and use it to swab the whole chalkboard.

• Wipe with one of the wet cloths beginning at the top left corner and moving in a single horizontal stripe across to the top right corner.
• Refold the cloth so that a clean portion is available.
• Move down just below the top stripe and wipe back across the chalkboard from the right side to the left. Continue with these stripes all the way down to the bottom of the chalkboard. Change to a new cloth when the current cloth gets too full of chalk dust. http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Chalkboard

Practice

James Pillan, Headmaster of the old high school of Edinburgh, Scotland, is widely credited for inventing the blackboard and colored chalk which he used to teach geography. 

It was not long after 1801 that the blackboard was introduced into the American educational system from
Europe.Immediately becoming one of the most popular and widely used teaching tool across America it forever changed the relationship between students and teachers.

September 21st, 1801 The first wall mounted blackboard was used at West Point Military Academy, By George Baron an English Mathematician.  

The blackboard changed education forever

Just like that the classroom became a place equipped to ensure that all students were educated bringing together a very diverse group of students with a wide variety of learning styles, experiences, intelligence, and goals.Placing the responsibility of the individual student to learn through open dialogue between teacher and student, group discussions, opportunity to work problems out on the board.
The Blackboard used face-to-face in a classroom setting along with spoken lecture.        
The chalkboard created a effective learning strategies by providing written information in front of the class visually.

Considered the most influential educational technology of all time the blackboard played a powerful role in learning environments that are safe, positive, and nurturing.

Appealing to students visual learning style

Inexpensive (reliable no lose of power, broken light bulbs)

Allowing students to go at their own pace 

Ability to educate more students at once 

Allowed for flexibility and spontaneity

All students have certain needs that must be met if they are going to grow and learn. I feel that the blackboard changed our classroom environment forever meeting  students needs:

Social

The classroom environment has to ensure students feel comfortable with themselves, with each other, and with the teacher.

Emotional
The classroom environment needs to be supportive of the physical requirements for the learning process to be effective fostering intellectual freedom and encouraging experimentation and creativity.

Intellectual

The classroom environment has to ensure students are actively engaged in learning and they need to feel free to take risk. A environment where students and teachers interact and dialogue, where students try out new ideas in the workplace, where exercises and experiences are used

Physical

The classroom environment has to ensure teachers and students are treated with respect, dignity, who's opinions are heard and valued. 

Written History of the Blackboard

11th Century the writing slate was used in Indian Schools

16th Century used in Europe for music education and composition

1700 - 1800 Enlightment (age of reason). Emphasis is placed on the human capacity to understand the mysteries of the universe and to solve human problems.

1739 The term "blackboard' was coined in the Oxford English Dictionary citation included " with chalk on the blackboard"

1801 The blackboard was introduced into the US education system from Europe
September 21st, 1801 The first Blackboard was used at West Point Military Academy, By George Baron an English Mathematician.

What the Blackboard means to me....

The blackboard seems so simple a reusable writing surface on which you can draw on, originally smooth , thin sheets of slate, held in your hand into something that hung on the wall. It is simple I made my own blackboard for this assignment I went to Menard's and bought chalkboard in a can and a old picture frame and in five minutes I had my very own blackboard.

Simple yes but it is hard to imagine just how it transformed a teacher and students relationship, how it changed education forever, how it changed the way we process information, how it changed the design of a classroom.