Web Exploration

Your professor would probably agree with Freud about the importance of self examination. The tools in this area are critical. There is no greater gift to share with novice teachers than to help them become reflective practitioners.

What do you have to give students? You can give it better, more consistently, with greater depth, if you know who you are, what you believe and you value understanding human nature. Without this crucial personality piece, the whims of the students drive the environment. Many teachers join the teaching ranks, but the teacher shortage continues, because within five years, nearly half will leave teaching.

Teaching is a demanding position. Working with 20 or 40 or 130 youngsters every day is draining. Knowing who you are, what you believe, why you act as you do and what you want to do about students who cannot or will not follow guidelines is foundational.

You will grow, change, develop skills and new gifts as you teach. Teaching is an art, a science, and a profession. We learn and then we learn by doing. We experience, grow, and experience anew. Self awareness, self understanding, self confidence -- these are really the critical tools of the great disciplinarians and master teachers.

This is a major site for taking personal assessments to look at and gain insights about yourself:http://www.queendom.com/alltests.html When you arrive there you will find a Legend box. The pro and abridged are likely to give the most information for time invested.

Pro-- Professionally designed self assessment

Abridged-- Abridged version of a pro test

This is a major testing site for self assessment: http://www.universityoflife.com/serious.htm

Here's one to check on multiple intelligences -- which ones are your best? http://www.hol.edu/gis/hu403d/MI_Test.htm

You want to take the Keirsey Personality sorter! http://www.advisorteam.com/user/kts.asp

Once you have spent some time trying these different exams you should go to the virtual conference center and discuss the idea of self awareness and critique at least two of these or representative tests.

Rubric: Visited at least three of the testing links and took a minimum of three different tests. Then, in the VCC, provide a critique of two of the assessments offered. You may share findings on your personal scores if you wish, but it is not expected.