11/24/09 Class Response

What do you feel has been the most useful thing you will take away from this course?

I think the most useful thing that I will take from this course is to focus on students doing more and me doing less. I need to provide more opportunities for students to learn technology and use it independently or in a group setting.

Do you think you will plan units that follow a similar format to this one in the future?

Yes, I do beleive that I (we) will plan more units with the idea of incorporating technology, giving students options (menus) and having students be more involved (self-assessments, conferencing with them, using what they want to learn to guide instruction/questioning).

What features from this type of curriculum design might you use again?

I would use the lesson plan format, some of the asssessment tools and resources available (websites, online tools for both teachers and students).

Is there anything else you hope to learn from this course before it is completed?

I would like to know what other resources are out there for Kinder (primary) students to learn computer basic skills (online tools, programs/software).

11/17/09 Class Response

This module has helped me think about self-directed learners and the role of differentiation in the following ways….
1. I realized that "self-directed" rubrics/checklists are harder to create than I thought! You really have to focus on kid friendly words and pictures that will guide students. I want students to be able to look at a self-assessment or checklist and be able to be more independent throughout the process.
2. I realized (or was reminded) that differentiation is so important and benefits each student. There are so many resources available to create documents, templates or other resources to assist students that need help.

Good stuff!!

11/10/09 Class Response

This module has helped me think about student-centered assessment in the following ways….

1. Made me realize that I need to not only involve students in the assessment process (whole group) but they need to create rubrics. I have students help me but I am always the scribe. For example, I want to have students draw the rubrics pictures and write the steps from a 1-4 for our writing rubric. Makes the students more invested and engaged. They take ownership!

2. Made me realize that I need to conference more with my students to give them more immediate feedback. I provide ideas for them but I want to make sure that my questions are for them so that they figure out any errors and self-correct.

3. Made me realize that I want to incorporate more self and peer evaluations to keep each other accountable. I think students will benefit from reflection of themselves and others :-)

11/3/09 Class Response

Sorry this is a week late =(

How can technology be used most effectively to support and assess student learning?

First and foremost, technology activley engages students in the learning process. Students are motivated to learn when technology is involved. They are excited :-) Technology can effectively support student learning because it gives students an inventive way to produce their work. Students can have many options to choose from to show "what they know". Technology can also provide students with the use of higher level of thinking. Students are not just reciting or memorizing content but they are taking that content, digging deeper and having to create different assignments while using their own creativity. Students are learning because they are using more of themselves in their work. The teacher is more of a facilitator. The portfolio or assignments that students complete can be used to assessed what students know. Technology can support and assess at the same time.

10/20/09 Class Response

This module has helped me think about the impact of the Internet on my students’ learning in the following ways….

First, not only does the Internet show me but it shows my students what many resources are available online. The internet allows us to research information in print form, videos or visual aids (pictures) to name a few. Many students are not fully engaged in a direct instruction classroom environment. The internet engages students both visually and auditory. I have found that even using simple technology into my lessons, students are more involved and ready to participate.

In addition, we live in a society where technology is EVERYWHERE! If we want our students to succeed, we need to equip them with the tools necessary to do so. Starting in Kindergarten will only benefit each student in future grade levels. Many of our students do not have the opportunity at home to use the computer or Internet. We get to give them the opportunity in class =) Yay!!!

10/13/09 Class Response

This module has helped me to think about using standards, CFQ's, or formative assessments in the following ways...
1- This helped me organize our unit into an overall plan. The EQ, UQ and CQ's helped me see the overall plan of where we want to begin & end. I think having that mental picture gives me a better understanding of what our task is for the future :-)
2- I also realized how many standards our unit does really cover. I think we learned that we can narrow it down to only the ones that we are assessing.
3- I enjoyed seeing different ways to assess in the beginning, throughout and in the end of the unit. I love the graffiti idea and look forward to using in class.

Thank you :-)

10/6/09 Class Response

This module has made me think about my role as an instructional designer in the following ways...
I understand more that I am a guide or a facilitator to my students. I am the leader but my students need to do most of the discovery to fully learn and comprehend the objectives. When students connect to the lesson (the content), they retain information. Student-led lessons help my students use higher level of thinking :-) Yay PBL!!