Module Seven

What do you feel has been the most useful thing you will take away from this course?
All the amazing websites and tips and hints we've been given. I love Animoto, Delicious, and Pete's PowerPoint Station. Plus the additional computers in my class have given me such an extra incentive to integrate technology into more areas of our day. I'm taking lessons and units I would have ordinarily done and asking my students how they would use technology to accomplish the task. They are more engaged!
Do you think you will plan units that follow a similar format to this one in the future?
Yes- I already have! i modified an "American Symbols" unit from another teacher. I added more twentieth century skills and more group work.
What features from this type of curriculum design might you use again?
Checklists, rubrics, and technology embedded in learning, not technology as an aside. I've also been using the twentieth century learning skills to enhance other units.

Module Six

This module has helped me think about self-directed learners and the role of differentiation in the following ways….
I think my students can become self-directed with lots of set-ups and assistance on my part. I will begin using checklists and student support document. I am looking forward to taking on the role of facilitator as my students become self-directed learners.
Differentiation will lead to more engagement with my students because everything is at each groups' level.

Module Five

This module has helped me think about student-centered assessment in the following ways….
-I have not ever assessed higher order thinking skills! Scary, I know. By the way, how do you enter that into Pinnacle?
-I also don't involve my students in the assessment. I would like to begin asking my students to help me design a rubric. For that matter, I would like to start using a rubric!!!
-I am good about conferencing with students and groups during projects, but I tend to get off track. I think a rubric and a checklist would be very helpful for my students and me. It would also allow parents to see what there students SHOULD be learning and doing.
-My students have never taken part in peer review. I am anxious to see how out assessment tool in our Zoomerang survery goes.
-I use anecdotal notes but not to monitor behavior or group work. Another new assignment for me!

Melodie, what kind of "Ask an expert" activities do you have?

How can technology be used most effectively to support and assess student learning?
We've come up with many ways to support student learning through technology, such as blogging and web research. I am in the process of getting all my students on the gmail account through the district.
On a side note, technology is helping in my class right now through Study Island. My kids are so motivated by playing the games and trying to get the highest score in the district and school. Not only is it fun, it is preparing them for the AIMS test!
We came up with many possibilities for assessing student learning such as answering open-ended questions on a blog, Zoomerang surveys and group presentations using MixBook and Google Presentations.

Week 3

This module has helped me think about the impact of the Internet on my students’ learning in the following ways….
-I need to use it more!!! I had no idea that other teachers were using blogs and emails with their students. I am planning to do this as soon as possible. I want to blog with my students for responses to open ended questions. I also want to start using google docs.
-Another goal of mine is to connect with people to chat with - authors, illustrators, scientists, etc. That will be incredibly exciting and engaging for them.

Week 2

This module has helped me to think about using standards, CFQ's, or formative assessments in the following ways...
-CFQ's are great for keeping me, the teacher, on track. They will give me a focus and the ability to "begin with the end in mind." I teach best when I see the end and plan from there. I like to create my assessments first, then plan backward.
-I've always used standards to help me with backward mapping and forming my assessments. I love creating units this way! It helps me teach better when I know where I am going and my students learn better!

Module One

This module has made me think about my role as an instructional designer in the following ways...
-the many, many ways to incorporate technology into my classroom to motivate and engage my students!!! I had no idea so many amazing FREE web sites existed and I LIVE on the web. I can't wait to try some of these with my students.
-copperative learning. I have worked all year to build a community of learners. I can see that they will be more than capeable of participating in and learning from the ideas my team and I developed this evening.
-as a team. I truly love working with my team and always come away with new ideas and new energy.