Differentiation/Self-Directed Learning - Mod 6

Figuring out how our students learn is so important. We must constantly assess their understanding and at what level of comprehension they are working. This is especially true in the ESL classroom because fluency levels vary greatly. Allowing students to show what they know in various ways is also key. We can find ways to teach ALL students and ALL students can find ways to show us what they are learning. It requires rigor and relevance on our part as well as flexibility and the willingness to look at things in a different light.

Module 5 Reflection

Creating the student sample and assessment helped me focus my ideas and evaluate how they will work. I think assessing students throughout a process will make a project run more smoothly and produce higher quality products. This will keep students on schedule and help guide them toward the final product without less confusion along the way.

Module 4 Reflection

How can technology be used most effectively
to support and assess student learning?

Creating a student sample helped me see how the students can use higher-order thinking skills to be creative in a blog. They will learn how to use technology to access their learning and have a fun way to show what they know. Adding photos, links, and other "gadgets" to their blogs will help them learn to do effective research using the Internet. They will also strengthen their problem-solving skills to resolve any issues that arise as they create their own blogs. This will also encourage collaboration with their peers as well as guiding them toward thinking more analytically and to evaluate their work and the work of others.

exploding heads

Wow! This is so much, so fast. If my head doesn't explode, I think I'll have learned some new tricks to use with my students. I have seen how enthralled they are with any type of technological device so I think incorporating more of these types of activities will work well.

making it work

When working with students and deciding what we want them to learn, it's imperative to keep in mind what we are working towards. If we determine standards and think about how we frame the unit beforehand we will have a greater chance of getting the students engaged. I also believe it's helpful to students and us to assess their progress along the process. Even though it's time consuming.

first thoughts

I'm experiencing what some of my students will when I have them create and follow blogs as part of my class next school year. It's always clumsy when you're doing something unfamiliar. I don't feel very reflective right now, hence the name of my first blog, I actually feel confused and a little sleepy after too much lunch. I feel like I'm catching on to some of the concepts here and my purpose is becoming clearer. More ideas and examples of how to bring more technology into my classroom are being shared and it's helpful to have other brains tossing out their ideas.