If She Can Do it, I can Do it

Dr. Johanna Blair was an interesting guest speaker at our advanced instructional methodology class. Her introduction was a good hook that grabbed my attention. Beginning with her educational background, and then shedding the light on how getting her MA degree was a turning point in her career. Hearing that from someone who is professional at this point was crucial, especially for students like us who are working on their MA degree and at some point may have felt tired or overwhelmed. 

"Quick Fix Arts" was the main focus of Dr. Blair's presentation. How to add an artistic touch to one's lesson which unwanted material like boxes and scratch paper. And the hands one part, where Dr. Blair made us actually make our puppet stage and characters on stick was her message of proving how easy and simple it is to do a lot in no time (in other words, if I can do it you can do it) . Not to mention, the bled of approaches like learning through inquiry, student-center, indirect and direct method of teaching and more which was demonstrated through our activity; which also shows how with time experienced teacher use different methodologies involuntarily and flexibly . Of course, as new teacher we worry a lot about when and which approach to use and miss on how to enjoy our students and the teaching process as a whole.        

Dr. Blair session was just like a quick recipe for a perfect and a well-balanced meal. If I would've looked backwards to the lesson, I would have defiantly thought that the preparation for the exhibition display or the puppet show took a decent amount of time and energy to get done. Instead, Dr. Blair guided us smoothly and precisely throughout the simple steps of 'How to combine quick fix arts to ones lesson' in neither a time nor energy consuming way. Most importantly how to not only teach but make our students aware of how valuable it is to give your work life through presentation without much effort but with technique.