Digital Badge # L-Chapter 6

Digital Badge #L-Chapter 6

In chapter 6, “Fostering Online Learning with Educational Websites and Apps”, it considers information management a requirement when classroom teachers and students use learning resources that are provided by educational links and other online resources.  There are many technology tools that help extend learning while using the web.  These are a few tools to be useful in the classroom. 

The first section I found resourceful, was “Designing Successful WebQuest.”  WebQuests serve as facilitator for students learning fundamental Internet literacy skills of information retrieval and analysis.  It was mentioned that there are five steps for a WebQuest.  These steps are: stage setting, task, process, evaluation, and conclusion.  A stage setting is an introduction by the teacher before the students begin their activity.  A task is the activities, in which the students will be expected to do or create while on their quest.  The process is step-by-step instructions that students will follow throughout the quest.  An evaluation is how the instructor will assess the students to make sure that they have met the requirements of a quest.  The conclusion is a summary of the key understandings or learning goals that were embedded in the quest.  WebQuest are a great teaching tool to help motivate and encourage students to be aware and make connections.  They essentially ask the student a question that needs answering.  Through this process, students are asked to understand, hypothesize or problem-solve.  After completing our WebQuest, I quickly understood how this could be a resourceful tool in the classroom.  Students are responsible and accountable for their own project/assignment when maneuvering through the tabs.  When instructors choose a topic that they consider their students would respond to, they could add to the relevance of the given project/assignment.

The second section I discovered to be helpful was “Using Educational Websites and Apps Interactively.” It was stated in this section, that “teaching” in a classroom is more than telling information to students, a quality educational website is more than information on a computer screen.  Students are now required to interact with the online material to discover its relevance and meaning.  Using educational websites shift the teaching from the teacher to the student and interactively show how things work.  Educational websites that include interactivity, exploration, and engagement are the most successful with the students.  When students have the ability to interact with online content, it teaches them to analyze and be prepared to ask questions about their topic. Exploration is another feature that some websites are equipped with to make exploring easier for students when conducting their research.  They can take different various avenues while they are engaged in a lesson/assignment.  When educational websites are engaging, students are intrigued with the use of a compelling storyline, interesting characters, a perplexing mystery, or a controversial issue or idea.  Students are drawn to online material in ways that could not happen with information presented in a text-based, less interactive format.  The key to be an effective teacher when using educational websites and apps is to keep your students intrigued while working effectively and diligently.  There are several resourceful educational websites to incorporate within the classroom and I found this link to be beneficial.

"This picture displays an educational website that a student could access to research, various graphs."

The third section I found intriguing was, “Taking Virtual Field Trips.”  In this section it states that students have the capability of traveling to various locations around the world without ever leaving their classroom or school.  Virtual field trips are a flexible teaching approach.  A group of students can access a virtual trip, while other students work independently on a given assignment.  It was also mentioned that a computer could also be connected to a projector, so that the whole class can participate in a virtual field trip.  Google Earth has an impressive collection of virtual tours, including famous cathedrals, castles and palaces, art museums, skyscrapers, and other historical sites.  Students have the capability when exploring virtual sites, to use the information and pictures for research/projects.  When teachers incorporate virtual field trips in the classroom, it can provide opportunities for new discoveries in the classroom.  One of the most interesting virtual field trips, I found was a trip to Antarctica.  Students had the capability of following a team of explorers through their trip across the continent.  Wow! This is such a creative way to strike the interest of those students who are a visual learner.  Students will value this way of learning and open a world of traveling possibilities.

"This is a wonderful video to display how effective virtual field trips can be in the classroom" 

References

Get Outta Class With Virtual Field Trips. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech071.shtml

Maloy, R. (2011). Transforming learning with new technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Why WebQuests. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from http://www.internet4classrooms.com/why_webquest.htm

Digital Badge # K-Chapter 11

Digital Badge #K-Chapter 11

 

In this chapter, it examines how educators and students can use technology in the classroom to evaluate and assess learning.  Educators are evaluated by school personnel, to make sure that all students are actively involved in the assessment process. 

The first section I found intriguing was, “Reasons for Teaching with Clickers.”   In this section it was stated that when students are introduced to participate with clickers, they are exposed to numerous instructional advantages.  These advantages are: active learning, student involvement, real-time feedback, and question-centered instruction.  Educators who promote the use of clickers within the classroom will develop an active learning approach, because it is a form of technology that will keep his of her students engaged while having fun using them.   Two key tools that determine the clicker’s use are: they provide students to participate secretly, and it is a tool to integrate a “game approach” where students will be engaged while learning versus the “traditional” learning class approach.  I personally believe that when an educator uses this method of learning, students will not feel they are making a mistake where their peers could possibly judge them.  Students will have the opportunity of selecting an answer to a multiple choice, true/false, or a yes/no question.  Student’s results will be anonymously transmitted to the instructor’s device and be displayed for the whole class to see.  These immediate feedbacks can help the instructor assess the students’ understanding of a particular subject area, while receiving immediate responses and reinforce what is being taught. 

“This video is an example how clickers could be incorporated into a lesson.”

The second section I found resourceful was, “Preparing for High-Stakes Test”.  In this section it states that there various ways to prepare students for high-stakes academic achievement tests.  Sometimes the stakes can be higher. For example, secondary students may need to pass these competency exams to graduate.  As for primary students, this form of exam is called individualized assessments.  This form of testing will usually help give the teacher some insight of a student’s prior knowledge of a particular learning area.  Some creative methods, to help prepare your Kindergarten-Second grade students are to tell your students that you are going to have some special time together while you “play” a game.  Always remind them to do their best and if they don’t know the answer just simply say, “I don’t know.”  Also, a teacher can send a letter home to parents to inform them that you will be conducting assessments and you are requesting the following: child gets a lot of rest, is under little or no stress, and eats a nutritious breakfast.  When testing a student independently, the other students in the classroom should be engaged in Daily Five Activities.  Choose activities that students can work with little assistance and quietly.  Another teaching method that can help an educator prepare his or her students for a high-stakes test is a “repetition” throughout each lesson.  Educators should be familiar with the standards that are required, so they can become familiar as they can incorporate them into their lessons. 

The third section I found interesting was, “The Role of Assessment in Teaching and Learning.”   In this section it states that assessments are the essential tool for teaching.  Every teacher plans a lesson and delivers his or her instruction, while evaluating student learning.  An assessment features three interrelated elements: new teacher assessment, student assessment, and student self-assessment.  A new teacher assessment is how leadership will assess you in the process.  Before teachers are hired, they most likely will be required to take and pass a state license exam.  Then new teacher will be observed in the classroom by college supervisors and be required to write a complete summary of what they learned about academic subjects, teaching methods, and classroom management strategies.  A student assessment is how you will assess students’ learning and your own effectiveness as a teacher.  Educators are required to provide continuing data-driven evaluations about the learning process of every student in their class throughout the school year. An educator’s responsibility is to assign grades while reporting these on each student’s report card, and conduct student/parent conferences.  Educators should always ask themselves, “Are my students engaged, and if not, what can I do to help make an impact in their learning experience?”  A student self-assessment is how your students will participate in the assessment process.  When students play an active role in their learning process and it can help build their commitment to the curriculum being taught to them.

References

"Clickers in the Classroom: An Active Learning Approach (EDUCAUSE Quarterly) | EDUCAUSE.edu." Clickers in the Classroom: An Active Learning Approach (EDUCAUSE Quarterly) | EDUCAUSE.edu. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. <http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/clickers-classroom-active-learning-approach>.

Maloy, Robert W. Transforming Learning with New Technologies. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2011. Print.

"Teaching Tip: Preparing for High-Stake Testing | Scholastic.com." Scholastic Teachers. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. <http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/teaching-tip-preparing-high-stake-testing>.

"Why Is Assessment Important?" Education.com. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. <http://www.education.com/reference/article/why-assessment-important/>.