My Reflections:

          The electronic portfolio was an rewarding experience and exhausting at the same time. However, I believe that this was beneficial in several ways. It allowed me to think things through. My personal philosophy: I never really thought about it. Getting those thoughts down. For instance, I want my classroom to be interactive--not just have students passively taking notes. How do you reverse this: by providing real life examples, by having activities--with students working in groups. For instance, when lab time arrived there was more enthusiasm. The students were involved in the learning process. They were not just passively reacting to the teacher. It was a real difference. It provoked questions as well as interaction between student and teacher. In one of my classes, when an unknown solid (in a test-tube) was passed around, and the students were asked to identify it and then asked how it might be identified, the class came alive. The curiosity of the students were piqued and they were finally able to apply the theoretical concepts to what they learned to a real world example--the students were excited. It was interesting to watch. Thus, when applying concepts that were learned, real world examples must be given. It is like with expository texts and narrative texts (one reinforces the other and vice versa).
Settimg these things down were beneficial when I wen out in the field. I was able to see first hand the importance of classroom management--without discipline, there is no learning taking place. It's important to have a strategy. I try to be fair but firm. Students know what is expected of them and how much time there is to complete the activity. It's also important to recognize the different learning styles: visual and auditory for example. By using a variety of means: overhead, the board, group activity, to get participation and (judge level of understanding) accommodate different learning styles. I've also learned in my lessons to be a little more creative--shaking up the class a little more (it is important to note that the teacher does experiment with style). Maybe make a game out of the material covered (like a game of jeopardy) breaking the class up into teams. Alternatively, perhaps by giving extra credit points to that student who can solve an extra tricky problem correctly and quickly. Anything that would provide incentive to learn, and maybe instead of making learning a chore, making it fun. Also, I think that the video clip was helpful, in that it put me in the place of the students. I could see first hand what they saw and I was able to see my successes and failure and attempt to correct my mistakes. Finally, I've realized that one could have the best lesson plan planned, but if things go wrong, that's the true test of a good teacher--one's ability to respond and react quickly to these challenges.