Goal #1 -- Learn more about how to integrate student response systems into instruction and guided practice.
This week I was able to observe a colleague using the iRespond student response system. This particular style of ‘clickers’ allowed for an A, B, C, D, or E response. The multiple choice style allowed the teacher to ask different types of questions. For example, students were able to grade some anonymous student work based on what the students thought the teachers expectations were, students were able to answer recall type questions about World War 1, and students were able to answer opinion style questions regarding whether they agree or disagreed with a statement. After students answered, the responses were displayed in a bar graph format. The visual summary of responses led to great discussions in the class. All students were able to participate safely due to the anonymity of the responses. I plan to continue to look into the different types of student response systems. I hope to be able to integrate one into my classroom next school year if the funding is available.
Goal # 2 -- To design and develop an authentic assessment for my Algebra course that provides students multiple options to use technology to demonstrate learning.
Today, I met with a team of teachers from other local high schools and our local community college. The purpose of this team is to revise, adapt, and improve a curriculum created by one of the community college teachers. The hope is that the high school teachers will be able to offer this course at the high school level in the next year or so. Many of the problems and concepts in this curriculum are ‘Applied Algebra’. The questions apply Algebra concepts in the areas of electricity, construction, manufacturing, and welding. My thought is that maybe some of these questions could be pulled out of he curriculum and used as part of an authentic assessment.
Goal # 3 -- To provide a tool to support my colleagues and me in teaching our students about digital citizenship and responsibility.
I am still planning on working to meet this goal over the summer.
New Goals -- My hope also this summer is to become proficient and comfortable enough with a wiki, blog, or moodle in order to create an online resource to supplement the classroom instruction. I would like students to be able to post homework hints and help for each other, the teacher (me) to be able to post homework hints and help, as wells as post links to other online sources that can provide assistance to students. For example, our curriculum provides online resources for students and parents. I need to promote this link to my students.
Anna,
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that you are getting involved with your colleagues so much. It seems amazing, to me the amount of unknown knowledge that you can attain from colleagues. I am very interested in the iRespond application software. I can see this new application being a stimulator for great discussion in classrooms. With the continued investigation with your colleagues and steady learning through experience I have confidence that you will be comfortable with Moodle, wiki's, and blogs by next school year.
Ty
Anna,
ReplyDeleteI think that your plan is progressing very nicely. Like Ty, I am also very interested in the use of student response systems in the classroom. It would be great to receive immediate feedback on assignments, whether it be for the basis for class discussion or to determine whether a skill will need to be retaught. One of the biggest stuggles I have is being able to grade assignments so that my students have them back by the next day or before the next skill is taught. Having this type of system for assessment would greatly help in this area. Like you, I look forward to this summer break when I can take the time to become more comfortable and proficient in the tools we have learned about throughout this program, so that I may begin their implementation at the start of the new school year.
Keep up the great work!
Regina
Anna,
ReplyDeleteYou are really on the right track for your GAME plan. I have used clickers similar to the ones that you mentioned. It is amazing how easy it is and the feedback teachers get from using the clickers. The graphs are great when collecting data and seeing what students know and do not know. I am wanting to use wiki and blogs within my classroom as well. I think that by using those social networking methods collaboration among students and teacher could possibly increat. Keep up the good work.
Michael Thomas