Students participate in hands-on activities centered around a variety of teaching and learning strategies. Students create and present lesson plans to their instructors and peers. Instructors evaluate student presentations using an adapted Connecticut Competence Instrument. Lesson plan presentations are video teped and evaluated by instructors. Students also learn to use the internet as a learning and teaching resource.
Reflections are also a significant part of class time.
Reflective journal entries centered on teaching and learning, field trips, and field experiences are shared each day. Collectively, these activities result in a well rounded learning experience toward the preparation of pursuing teaching as a profession. Assigments are given to the SIFT students in a college like- syllabus format. Due dates are provided, and every week a new sheet of paper with the specific requirements of that assignment are handed out. Students present the finished projects to their fellow SIFT students in class, explaining their reasoning as to why they did what they did.