Keystone Assignment

Lesson Plan with Technology Integration -https://www.dropbox.com/s/or9cxgfgdmlkiyv/Lesson%20Plan%20with%20Technology%20Integration-%20Dec%209th.docx

Implementation Report -https://www.dropbox.com/s/aetisn7op517p8h/Implementation%20report.docx

Rubric for Technology Lesson -https://www.dropbox.com/s/qjtr5fbf2b3u1tl/Rubric%20for%20Google%20Draw%20%26%20Google%20Earth.xlsx

Reflection on UbD - https://www.dropbox.com/s/bjmfu803fnrg13d/Reflection%20on%20Curriculum%20Design.docx

Interview with Teacher - 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ebdwsbgcnl4ao50/Interview%20About%20Curriculum%20Planning.docx

Week 13 - Assignment 1

1.     Think back to your many experiences with well-designed learning, both in and out of school. What was the most well designed learning experience you have ever encountered as a learner? What features of the design- not the teacher's style or your interests-made the learning so engaging and effective? (Design elements include challenges posed, sequence of activities, resources provided, assignments, assessments, groupings, site, and teacher's role.) Briefly describe the sign.

It has been a while since I have encountered one of those “lessons” that really made me excited to learn. But a few months ago, I attended a workshop for teachers from the Title I program. The workshop was about the Blended Learning System. Basically it was a three-day workshop that taught me how to incorporate technology related learning experiences into my curriculum. The workshop turned out to be quite fun compared to some of the other workshops I have attended before that. One of the resources that I came across was the Discovery Education. I remember this particularly because it’s one of the resources that intrigued me. There were some challenging lesson plans I worked one with another teacher. It was combination of activities that ranged in level of difficulty. There were lots of helpful topics I could use in all the subjects I teach. The instructor was humorous and relatable because she was a former elementary teacher. Overall, it was a relaxed environment that did not places restrictions on what needed to be done. I walked away feeling a sense of accomplishment and confidence that I do not recall feeling after any other workshop I have taken previously.

2.     In sharing your recollections and analyses with your peers, build a list of generalizations that follow from the accounts. What do well-designed learning experiences have in common? In other words, what must be built in by design for any learning experience to be maximally effective and engaging for students? 

A well-designed learning experience is something that is enjoyable, engaging, relatable and challenging. If the students are not having fun while learning then it may be meaningless to them. They will be less likely to engage themselves. If its something they can relate to, it can motivate them. Finally, if it’s not something challenging they will quickly lose interest. Students are motivated to learn when the learning is meaningful. For example, one common dilemma I used to face when teaching Math is during fractions. Many students “dislike” doing fractions because they feel it is “boring” or “hard.” I felt similarly when I was a student. The main reason was because it was taught in an unexciting way. There were not many hands on activities on computer games that motivated me to learn it. But now, when I teach my students about fractions, I use manipulative and real life situations. They bring in Hershey bars and learn to split them in to parts. They get to play games on the computer that make it fun and challenging. Most importantly they use real life situations that make it relatable and meaningful.

3.     Where in your school or the school that you are observing are the characteristics of best design most likely to be seen in action? In what programs and subject areas would we most expect to see these characteristics, compared with other programs or subjects? Are there any patterns, If so, why?

The place where I observe the characteristics of best design in action are in Science, Technology, Math and Art classes. I think most students find these subjects to be more hands on enjoyable. The patterns I see in these subject areas are that they are often more challenging and allow a sense of creative freedom. For example, in Science and Math students can arrive at an answer in more than one way. There is aspect of trial and error to come to a conclusion. In Technology and Art students have the freedom to express themselves through creativity such as drawing, painting, music, video, games etc.

4.    After a study of sample units, and one of your own designs, edit or amend your list of characteristics of the best designs, as appropriate.

Some characteristics of well-designed learning experiences include:

·      Connection to the real world

·      Meaningful to the learner

·      Hands-on activity

·      Collaborative

·      Differentiated learning

·      Enjoyable experience

·      Sense of accomplishment

·      Positive learning environment

Week 11 - Assignment 1

GOOGLE EARTH LESSON PLAN

Grade – 4

Time – 60 minutes

Subject – Social Studies

Standards – ISTE-NETS*S

3. Research and Information Fluency

b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information

from a variety of sources and media

c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks

5. Digital Citizenship

a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology

b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity

6. Technology Operations and Concepts

a. Understand and use technology systems

b. Select and use applications effectively and productively

c. Troubleshoot systems and applications

d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies

Understandings

1.     Identify important explorations in North America

2.     Explain why European explorers traveled to New York

Essential Questions

1.     Why did European explorers travel to the Americas?

2.     Who were some of the Early Europeans?

Building Background

1.     Ask students to think of possible reasons that European Explorers traveled to the Americas.

2.     Ask students what they know about the founding of their community.

Study Skills – Use Visuals

Visuals often show the same information that is in the text but in a different way. Visuals such as maps can help in understanding and remembering important facts and events.

Materials

1.     Computer lab with internet connection

2.     SMART board

3.     Online Encyclopedia

Learning Experience

1.     Students will be working with a partner.

2.     At the beginning of the lesson, students will be introduced to Google Earth and some of its basic features.

3.     Students will be able to navigate using the tools at the top of the page.

4.     Students will be checking off boxes under “Layers” to see what additional information is available for them to view.

5.     Students will use the tool bar at the top to see how to mark a location and write a description.

6.     Students will use the encyclopedia to gather information about the explorers.

Performance Task

1.     Using Google Earth, mark the explorations of the following early European explorers:

a.     Henry Hudson

b.     Jacques Cartier

c.     Giovanni da Verrazano

d.     Samuel de Champlain

2.     Write down the latitudes and longitudes of each location.

3.     Students will also write a brief description about the explorations.

Assessment

1.     Student’s maps should indicate the specific locations the explorers discovered. (see Google Earth image below)

2.     The latitudes and longitudes should also be listed properly.

Week 10 - Assignment 2

My philosophy of teaching developed from the past five years of teaching experience. My goal as a teacher is to encourage positive learning, and inspire my students to become active learners for life.  In order to provide my students with a holistic education, I would implement technology throughout the curriculum. Technology is an essential tool to have available in every classroom today. It provides the teachers and students with various benefits.

One way I would using technology in the classroom is by incorporating high-quality digital content such as online articles, videos, maps, and charts into my lesson plans. This will help differentiate instruction in the classroom for all the students and enhance their learning experience. For example, a student who needs more assistance in solving word problems can play an online Math game to help improve his/her problem solving skills. Another benefit of using technology in the classroom is that it helps students develop 21^st century problem solving skills. They can learn how to search for information on the Internet and interpret it properly. They can use digital presentation and collaboration tools such as PowerPoint, digital video, and blogs to express their thoughts and creativity with their peers.

Technology helps stimulate student thinking and learning. Visual and interactive programs can improve student knowledge on various topics. It helps students become more engaged in the lesson and gain a better understanding of the topic. I would use technology to personalize the instructions to accommodate my students’ learning needs. For example, in Reading, a group of students can read a digital book that is at their level. Students would be able to work at their own pace without feeling rushed. This would help keep one group occupied, while I work with another group.

Students are more likely to be engaged in learning when technology is involved. Therefore I would utilize as much technology as possible to help motivate and engage my students. Technology would play a huge role in my classroom in order provide a quality, wholesome education to my students for their academic success.

Week 10 - Assignment 3

http://www.screencast.com/t/g5kUlyirkqf

Article on Formative and Summative Assessment

http://www.education.com/reference/article/formative-and-summative-assessment/

Week 9 - Assignment 2

Here are my 5 technology integrated lesson plans..

Lesson 1 - https://w.taskstream.com/Lesson/View/72B1BDE2F0B6E1656F48480DC29025EC

Lesson 2 - https://w.taskstream.com/Lesson/View/D75122A130C2D14B3C75103189180792

Lesson 3 - https://w.taskstream.com/Lesson/View/CDB521A96582DA61FF4324E8E27A4E9D

Lesson 4 - https://w.taskstream.com/Lesson/View/4D810CC1F3AEC424C32A0E1946974319

Lesson 5 - https://w.taskstream.com/Lesson/View/18E0EC35B3BEC5CABC8EB6604B0A6603

Week 9 - Assignment #1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/44o6fa9qfp0f5qf/scholarly%20article%20on%20technology%20integration.pdf

The article I choose is called, “The Impact of Classroom Technology on Student Behavior.” This article focuses on students who enrolled in a business course at a mid-western university. The goal of this research was to see if using technology would have an impact on student behavior. According to the article adding technology to a class that currently has no technology did engage the students more. Students seemed to be focused and well prepared for class. The rate of participation and student learning also improved. The students in this particular business class sensed that technology use in the classroom did have a positive impact on their learning experience. The instructors who are comfortable using technology feel that it enhances their teaching and prefer to keep using technology in the class. The article mentions that technology is a tool, which if used properly can have a positive impact on student behavior. The impact of technology on students’ behavior depends on how it’s used, who is using it and for what reason. The reasons for using technology depend on the instructor. Some instructors find that using technology in the classroom allows students to understand the concept better while others use it because it is more convenient in delivering a lecture. Although instructors use technology for different purposes the outcome is the same in that it improves the course, encourages students to be more involved and ultimately enhances their learning experience.