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