Feb 14, 2011
Jan 13, 2011
Dec 6, 2010
Assessment
I do not believe that tests are the only way to assess student learning partly because I don't agree fully with all of the testing schools must do and there are so many more factors involved when assessing learning. My first opinion revolves around the idea that much of the year is testing. Being a special education teacher my classes are constantly interrupted due to some type of test. I agree that pre-assessments and post-assessments should be given to tell what the student knows, what he/she still needs remediation on and if the student has mastered a particular set of skills; however, the amount of testing brings us the question: How much instruction is going on in the classroom (at no fault to the teacher since they do not have any control over district and state testing). My second opinion focuses on the various degrees and numerous factors that are not assessed and should be or the learning styles of our students. Again being the special education teacher of students with learning disabilities many of my students do not generalize the skills from one setting/area to another - which makes it close to impossible to determine their skill level with just a single test. Factors such as this, test anxiety, limited to no retention and low reading skills have a huge impact on their testing scores - yet many of them show positive testing and academic skills in the general and resource setting. Many tests do not assess whether a student can apply the skills learned. Rote memorization and teaching to the test are skills they learn and soon forget year to year.
I do think it is important to determine a baseline of skills but teaching to the test, subjecting students to continuous testing, holding teachers and schools accountable for things not in their control (realistically not every student will perform the same and to the same standards), and forgetting what really is important are not good measures of student learning and teacher quality.
I do think it is important to determine a baseline of skills but teaching to the test, subjecting students to continuous testing, holding teachers and schools accountable for things not in their control (realistically not every student will perform the same and to the same standards), and forgetting what really is important are not good measures of student learning and teacher quality.
Nov 24, 2010
Technology Infused Classroom
A technology-infused classroom would more than likely look either like you have entered a classroom on the Enterprise in Star Trek or (for us sane and not so technology-knowledgeable) a regular classroom with computers, maybe a Smartboard, the use of clickers and students actively engaged in learning through collaboration and discovery. This also includes the role of the teacher - a facilitator, not a supervisor; the teacher roaming, monitoring, assisting and questioning motives and reasons why. Lessons would be unique to each learner or grouping and scaffolded so each student is engaged, participating and learning the content addressed. As a teacher we know we cannot just throw together a lesson and “hope for the best” - especially when technology is involved. The teacher must take time to plan and prepare the lessons that allow the students to work on the concepts in ways that are meaningful to them and support their learning style. To make the transition and learning successful the teacher must structure the environment for learning. Expectations, maybe in the form of rubrics or surveys, are presented and explained before lesson so the student has a clear idea of what is expected of them and how their work will be graded. We should be promoting environments that emphasize partnership, collaboration and communication and teaching those skills alongside of academics. Learning should be along several lessons rather than one and activities should be planned with a goal in mind. In the classroom, we need to remember that technology is used as a resource not the sole instructor.
As a special education teacher I plan on having technology that not only enhances my instruction and student learning but assists my students to attain those goal by the use of word predication programs, text to speech programs, mobile word processor, and devices such as the Smartpen (great tool for speech therapist by the way!) and projectors to reach all learning types. Not only would I concentrate in getting these supportive devices, I believe training and sharing the information learned with others is also as important. Taking special care to train each student and share their progress with parents also is important in my classroom. I do not want to look like I work for NASA but I would like to have a classroom environment that enables my students to be part of the 21st Century, have a fighting chance in the real world by learning real-life skills and have the the means to a good education at their fingertips.
Nov 3, 2010
Visual Literacy and the Internet
Visual Literacy and the Internet
Visual literacy – defined as the ability to construct meaning from images- combined with the internet can enhance student learning and assist teachers in reaching students with learning disabilities, ELL learners or simply students that fit in the visual/spatial learning style. Students and teachers can manipulate images to communicate different meaning or information to other people. Using visuals as part of daily instruction helps young learners connect meaning to real life situations, become more skilled at particular reading skills such as comprehension and provides them with new knowledge in making inferences and drawing conclusions. For example, last week I began a unit on inferencing (a skill my students struggle with greatly!). Using images and pictures from the web, my students and I looked for clues, added it to what we already knew and generated a simple sentence / making an inference.
Strategies
= Creating a picture dictionary and vocabulary resource
= All About Me PowerPoint presentation using pictures to show likes and dislikes
= Digital storytelling
= Using the 5 W’s to determine the main idea of particular articles, online sites, TV programs, etc.
= Using webcams to assist with speaking and listening
= Make comics on ReadWriteThink or Comic Life
= Make videos
= Inspiration or Kidspiration
= Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Role in Classroom
The Internet is an important part in my classroom when –especially for my students who need visuals and have a difficult time writing. Its role is to enhance instruction and provide reinforcement, to provide information on a variety of topics, to answer questions, clarify particular topics, and to give the teacher additional resources to the lesson.
Resources
Chen, Elaine. (2005). Journal of Educational Computing, Design and Online Learning. A Brief Review of Strategies and Tools That Make Thinking Visible.
Oct 25, 2010
Integrating Technology into Your Methods of Teaching
Instructional strategies and methods are the ways we teach our students and are based on the content, the student, and the competency of the students we are teaching. We have learned that students acquire knowledge in several ways and instruction must be adapted for all students to access. These strategies are just as important to our 21st Century learners and technology plays a vital role in how accessible materials and information is for students to achieve success. Some strategies teachers use to instruct students are direct instruction, drill and practice, summarizing and note-taking, role-playing, using advanced and graphic organizers to identify, organize and demonstrate acquisition of new knowledge, and cooperative learning. All assist learners comprehend and demonstrate understanding of particular subjects, learn how to organize thoughts on a particular topic, and develop social and team playing skills that will also assist them in the future. Technology plays another vital role in the implementation and acquisition of content. Technology provides an active, engaging means to the more traditional approach of lecturing which elicits less excitement and less elaborative feedback from the students. There are many types of software and online programs that can assist and enhance instruction such as online games, simulations, tutorials and practice exercises. All these examples promote “direct instruction” method of teaching and many allow for student tracking. Some technology is student-centered – promoting independent problem solving and critical thinking skills through research and collaboration such as Google Docs, Logo, etc. Many types of programs/ software are used mainly for reinforcement and continuous practice of skills and skills in a specific area. These applications are called Curriculum free software and Curriculum-specific resources. Curriculum free software includes spreadsheets, word processing, databases and graphics programs. Curriculum-specific resources include software and online programs designed specifically for a particular academic area.
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