STANDARD 2
Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS·S.
a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity
Meeting the Standard
From the beginning of the eMINTS program through the completion of this degree program, I have been involved in designing and adapting relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources. The eMINTS Instructional Model, which emphasizes high-quality lesson design, takes a constructivist approach for designing lessons. One of the first lessons I created and implemented using this method was titled, It's Electric! WebQuest and Video. In the It's Electric lesson, students use a variety of digital tools, including the SmartBoard, digital cameras, Inspiration 8, and the internet. As I continued my studies, I was also introduced to the ADDIE model of instructional design during my Introduction to Technology in Schools course. During this course we had to evaluate and provide feedback to each other for a Technology Integrated Lesson Plan, or TILP. For this lesson plan I created a lesson titled Map Exploration which integrates a digital creativity software like Pixie, but Inspiration 8 or other creativity software could be used as well.
b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress
Meeting the Standard
I have created a KidBlog account for each of my students. I have been in the experimental stage with using and adapting this resource for my students. One student, took charge of his Blog, titled it Logan's Blog and began posting questions related to History topics. This student pursuing his curiosities has changed my thinking on how to best implement KidBlog. I now see KidBlog as a means for students to post and get answers to their questions within a safe and controlled environment. We are still learning to use this Blog, but Logan through his own initiative has taught me a lot in how important it is for students to have opportunities to explore and get answers to their own questions. I love it when my students teach me something!
Recently our school has embarked on a journey to become a Leader In Me School. In this process, I have learned the importance of students setting goals and monitoring their progress toward those goals. Our school wants us to use Data Notebooks or binders for students to use while taking charge of their own learning. Since this is going to be a school requirement, I have chosen to start creating digital resources that my students can use. I have taken a suggested form for setting goals and transformed it into a digital format using Inspiration 8 that students can personalize, print, and share.
c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources
Meeting the Standard
Prior to entering the eMINTS program and completing this degree, most activities and assignments that I assessed in my classroom were assignments that were completed independently. I have come to appreciate the collaborative efforts and diverse learning styles within the classroom. In creating the "Tasks" for a WebQuest titled Polygon Transformers, I allowed students to work together collaboratively, choosing which task would be the best task for them to complete. I think that is the beauty of collaborative work, students can choose to contribute in ways that show their strengths. A student's talent and creativity really came through in this particular project when she created very elaborate details taking on the role of background designer. This is evident in the presentation Annie Hex Geometry Writing Project found on our class website. I loved the details she included in the "diner" and the "movie theater". Without this project, her design talent would have gone unnoticed. A more recent example of this, included photo summaries that were created by students where the students had to collaborate, drawing pictures and writing a summary of a recent reading story. In one group, an artisitic talent was evident and in another a student's story telling "voice" was recognized. The last two referenced projects can be found on our class Presentation site titled JBJ Photo Summary and Michael Martin Photo Story.
d. Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching
Meeting the Standard
In order to obtain a well-rounded picture of student learning, a variety of assessments should be given to provide evidence that student learning has occurred. Formative assessments occur in my classroom daily. Sometimes these formative assessments are just observed. At other times, I create online surveys using Google Docs or Poll Everywhere to use as a formative assessment. Other times, I have students create an Inspiration Document as a Pre and Post Assessment beginning with what they know, then adding what they learn. Prior to my graduate studies, the majority of my summative assessments were traditional final paper and pencil tests. Since I have been through this program, I have learned to create rubrics to evaluate the culminating project or learning activity. As I complete this professional portfolio, I think some form of digital learning portfolios will become a part of the assessment process for my students.
a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity
Meeting the Standard
From the beginning of the eMINTS program through the completion of this degree program, I have been involved in designing and adapting relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources. The eMINTS Instructional Model, which emphasizes high-quality lesson design, takes a constructivist approach for designing lessons. One of the first lessons I created and implemented using this method was titled, It's Electric! WebQuest and Video. In the It's Electric lesson, students use a variety of digital tools, including the SmartBoard, digital cameras, Inspiration 8, and the internet. As I continued my studies, I was also introduced to the ADDIE model of instructional design during my Introduction to Technology in Schools course. During this course we had to evaluate and provide feedback to each other for a Technology Integrated Lesson Plan, or TILP. For this lesson plan I created a lesson titled Map Exploration which integrates a digital creativity software like Pixie, but Inspiration 8 or other creativity software could be used as well.
b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress
Meeting the Standard
I have created a KidBlog account for each of my students. I have been in the experimental stage with using and adapting this resource for my students. One student, took charge of his Blog, titled it Logan's Blog and began posting questions related to History topics. This student pursuing his curiosities has changed my thinking on how to best implement KidBlog. I now see KidBlog as a means for students to post and get answers to their questions within a safe and controlled environment. We are still learning to use this Blog, but Logan through his own initiative has taught me a lot in how important it is for students to have opportunities to explore and get answers to their own questions. I love it when my students teach me something!
Recently our school has embarked on a journey to become a Leader In Me School. In this process, I have learned the importance of students setting goals and monitoring their progress toward those goals. Our school wants us to use Data Notebooks or binders for students to use while taking charge of their own learning. Since this is going to be a school requirement, I have chosen to start creating digital resources that my students can use. I have taken a suggested form for setting goals and transformed it into a digital format using Inspiration 8 that students can personalize, print, and share.
c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources
Meeting the Standard
Prior to entering the eMINTS program and completing this degree, most activities and assignments that I assessed in my classroom were assignments that were completed independently. I have come to appreciate the collaborative efforts and diverse learning styles within the classroom. In creating the "Tasks" for a WebQuest titled Polygon Transformers, I allowed students to work together collaboratively, choosing which task would be the best task for them to complete. I think that is the beauty of collaborative work, students can choose to contribute in ways that show their strengths. A student's talent and creativity really came through in this particular project when she created very elaborate details taking on the role of background designer. This is evident in the presentation Annie Hex Geometry Writing Project found on our class website. I loved the details she included in the "diner" and the "movie theater". Without this project, her design talent would have gone unnoticed. A more recent example of this, included photo summaries that were created by students where the students had to collaborate, drawing pictures and writing a summary of a recent reading story. In one group, an artisitic talent was evident and in another a student's story telling "voice" was recognized. The last two referenced projects can be found on our class Presentation site titled JBJ Photo Summary and Michael Martin Photo Story.
d. Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching
Meeting the Standard
In order to obtain a well-rounded picture of student learning, a variety of assessments should be given to provide evidence that student learning has occurred. Formative assessments occur in my classroom daily. Sometimes these formative assessments are just observed. At other times, I create online surveys using Google Docs or Poll Everywhere to use as a formative assessment. Other times, I have students create an Inspiration Document as a Pre and Post Assessment beginning with what they know, then adding what they learn. Prior to my graduate studies, the majority of my summative assessments were traditional final paper and pencil tests. Since I have been through this program, I have learned to create rubrics to evaluate the culminating project or learning activity. As I complete this professional portfolio, I think some form of digital learning portfolios will become a part of the assessment process for my students.