Dr. Woolfolk's Podcasts

Podcast #1 The Importance of Teachers

Teachers are a really important part of every student's life, working with them each and every step of the way.  It is important for teachers to actively get involved with their students, helping them in any way that they can.  Showing a student just how much you care will motivate that student to learn and give the child a reason to learn.  Teachers play an important role in the lives of their students and the lives of their families.  It is important to have close communication with everyone involved in your student's life.

  

Podcast #3 No Child Left Behind

Becoming a teacher means that scores and tests results become a part of your everyday life.  At the beginning of the school year the faculty will go over the test results and try improve upon the previous year's results.  If schools do not meet their goals, strategies must be put into place to achieve them.  The positive side of "No child left behind" is that every students receives the attention necessary to do well.  The negative side however, is that a school not doing well may be forced to close.  "NCLB" has increased the difficulty level for teachers in order for them to become certified.

  

Podcast #5 - Reinforcement

 This podcast discusses the aspects of positive and negative reinforcement as well as punishment.  Anita discusses how when a behavior gets stronger or is happening more often it means that reinforcement is taking place.  She talks about two types of reinforcers that can be broken down into positive or negative.  Using a positive reinforcer helps a behavior to continue happening.  WHen you use a negative reinforcer it is to help a negative behavior to stop happening.  People ususally try to stay away from negative reinforcers and stick to positive reinforcers.  WHen you utilize punishment it is to help stop a a behavior from happening.

   

Podcast #11 - Cooperative Learning

This podcast is about a variety of learning strategies.  For cooperative learning to be effective, students must work together and utilize teamwork.  Giving students accountability within the group helps them to work more effectively and efficiently.  Group work allows students to learn from their peers and accomplish more.  Having students work within groups helps them to work harder and rely on one another for help.  It is important that during group work teachers step back and allow their students to work with one another, only offering assistance when necessary.  It is also important that teachers are holding their students accountable for all of the individual as well as the group work that they are completing.

Podcast #14 - Test Taking Skills

This podcast talks about the fears and anxieties of test taking.  The most effective way to combat anxiety is to prepare for a test with a variety of strategies.  It is important to get ample rest, have a comfortable seat for taking the test, and complete all required assignments in order to be prepared.
 Time management during the test is extremely important.  Once you have completes your exam it is important to go back through the exam carefully reviewing your answers.  Once the test is given back review the answers and prepare for the next exam.