EDLD 5364 Week 5 Reflection

The main topic for week 5 in EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology was assessment. The videos focused on gaming software while the readings focused on using other Web 2.0 tools for assessment. This week gave me so many new ideas to use with my students when it comes to assessing them.

I particularly like the idea presented by Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski (2007) of using the rubric that allows students to assess themselves on their effort. This activity lets students discover for themselves the importance of their effort and how it affects their grade. When students discover for themselves they are more apt to take it to heart and make the necessary changes than when just told by the teacher.

I am also intrigued with the idea of using gaming software in the classroom for assessment. I am not sure if there are any existing games that incorporate the TEKS for Algebra 1 and Geometry but I am willing to investigate to see if they do exist. Incorporating gaming into my classroom would be a great motivator for many of my students. Gaming is such a huge part of their lives and getting to “play” the games for credit would be the “hook” for engagement that I have been looking for.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 155-164.

EDLD 5364 Week 4 Reflection

I found this week in EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology to be very intriguing. The readings, videos, and the assignment all made me rethink my entire teaching method. I am very concerned now about giving a “one size fits all” test to my students. This method of testing seems unfair and unjust to those students who cannot express their knowledge using the traditional pen and paper method. Learning to creating project-based lessons that harness the student’s “digital smarts” and includes the assessment seems to be the way to go.  Since every student learns differently, it only makes sense that every student should also test differently.

This week has opened my eyes to a better understanding of my students. Having to find learning activities that focus on a specific group of learners was amazing. I have attended professional development workshops on differentiation, but it never hit home until this week when I was forced to do so. I thought I was doing a good job at this in my classroom. However, after looking back at this week’s activities, I am not so sure anymore.

With only one classroom computer, one laptop, and one document camera in my classroom, integrating technology into my lessons will be a challenge.  I just have to remember what Pitler states about technology integration: “Technology can play a unique and vital role in cooperative learning by facilitating group collaboration, providing structure for group tasks, and allowing members of groups to communicate even if they are not working fact to face. It can help us realize the hope of schools as places that serve students anytime, anywhere and facilitate their growth into lifelong learners” (Pitler, 2007, p 140).

Reference

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 139-154.

CAST Universal Design for Learning

This week I learned a new way to write lesson plans using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Lesson Builder by CAST. With the aide of a UDL lesson plan, a teacher will be able to remove obstacles that hinder students from learning which will provide an opportunity for all students to learn. Since every student learns in a different way, the UDL lesson plans utilize the brain’s three networks: Recognition, Strategic, and Affective Networks. Each one of these networks exercises different parts of the brain in order to reach all students.

This method of writing lesson plans made me rethink how I prepare my lessons. Although I have heard and used various versions of this type of lesson planning, the lesson builder seems to bring it all home for me. The process was slow but I feel with time and practice, it I will get faster. I will be adding these elements to my lesson plans in the future. 

CAST Book Builder

In week 3 of EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology, we were asked to create an eBook using Book Builder from CAST (http://www.bookbuilder.cast.org/). Getting started with the Book Builder was quite a bit of a challenge for me this week. I had a difficult time coming up with an idea for a book. However, once I had an idea in mind, I was able to figure the program out and thoroughly enjoyed learning how to use the program. There are so many useful features for all age levels. I did not use the glossary feature in my example but I played with it while working on my eBook The glossary feature is great for explaining new vocabulary or term that students might be unfamiliar with. The speech feature can be used with ESL students learning to read and speak English as well as struggling readers who need help with word recognition. I can see many uses for this website including having my Gifted and Talented students to create eBooks to help struggling students. 

EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology - Week 3

Oh, how I am glad to be finished with this week. There was a ton of information covered in week three of EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology.  I began the week by watching videos and reading articles and selections from books that were primarily about the learning in the digit age and how to use Web 2.0 tools with the digital learners. I continued to collaborate with my team on our website and a solution to the scenario that was given to us during week one. Once I got through the videos and readings, I began working on the assignments for this week, which were very challenging. I created a learning unit with UDL lesson plan model as well as created an eBook with Book Builder. This week has reinforced the importance of differentiating my lesson and has given me a medium to make sure that I am accomplishing this. I have picked up ideas, such as Web 2.0 tools, that I will be implementing in my classroom in the near future. My lesson plans will also begin to reflect what I learned when completing the UDL part of the assignment. 

EDLD 5364 - Week 3 Web Conference

This week’s web conference was held on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. I was unable to attend this conference since I was traveling back home after the birth of my grandchild. However, I did listen and watch the recorded version. Although I was experiencing technical difficulties with the speed of my Internet connection, the week’s conference was very enlightening to me. I was able to receive tips for completing the assignment, in particular the UDL lesson plan. I had quite a few questions prior to the conference that were answered during the conference. I was able to complete the assignment with more confidence than I had prior to the conference.