Module 6 Reflection

This module has helped me think about self-directed learners and the role of differentiation in the following ways.....

Module 4 Reflection

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

Technology has made a prominent place in the classroom. There are so many resourceful technologies out there to use in order to support and enhance the learning experience of students of all learning types. 

In the FNDS 6213, I have learned of so many technology tools to use in the classroom. Here are a few technologies that I believe can support and assess student learning: class wiki, white board, jing, voicethread, and so many more. 

Technology in the classroom can effectively support all kinds of lessons. Here are a few examples:
1) The use of Notebook or smart board to teach a lesson. The teacher can make changes, lecture, and write notes for the class to see while the lesson objectives are being taught. The smart board allows her to interactively teach her students.

2) A class can take a quiz using a projector for all students to view and answer through PowerPoint. 

3) Voicethread can allow students to record answers or responses to a question via the Internet. 

4) Jing allows a teacher to pre-record a particular lesson and show the presentation in support of the lesson's standards.

Technology can be most effective when used in a consistent and relevant manner. Any technology used should be cohesive to the lesson and align with the outcomes as well curriculum framing questions of course objectives. By using technology resourcefully on a regular basis, students can become familiar and comfortable with the tools being used. 

Module 3 Reflection

This module has helped me think about the impact of the internet on my students’ learning in the following ways:

There are so many different ways to teach and learn. Education as we know it is vastly changing and broadening through technological advances like blogging, social media, use of the Internet, mobile computing, podcast and so much more. All of these technologies can be very beneficial as well have negative connotations. 

Use of the Internet to teach students can impact the learning experience profoundly. 

Here are some negative bullets:

- cripples their ability to conduct meaningful research

- may be exposed to harmful content

- information may be too readily available and as a result the student commit less time to forming his/her own ideas and opinions

Here are some positive bullets:

- allows collegiate students to attend school solely online via the web

- access to a wealth of information, governmental websites and sources, educational institute information databases (ex. libraries), etc.

- ability to interact with teachers and other students virtually (not in real time)

- allows grade school students to take courses not offered at their own school from partnered schools

The pros and cons of how the internet impacts students is rather lengthy. I believe there are just as many negative attributes as there are positive. However, it is the responsibility of the teacher to be specific about what to do and not to do while using the internet. It is important that collegiate and grade school students alike learn and understand the relevance of plagiarism, copyright, and misusing information found on the Internet as well as using information that is not credible like Wikipedia. 

The Internet is a valuable tool in education and has revolutionized the way we learn and teach. It is a tool that can transform a class for mediocrity to excellence. Teachers now have access to lesson plans, activities, and even standards/objectives on the world wide web. Some of these tools are free, downloadable, and ready to use. The impact that this has on a classroom and the learning experience of the student is a force to be reckoned with. Teachers and students can interact with one another and participate in a healthy virtual learning environment. 

Although the Internet is useful in a student's learning process, it can impact them negatively. The Internet is full of all kinds of material and information. With students who are minors, a simple Google search can produce a plethora of information that has no limits or boundaries. Being exposed to harmful content is always a concern. In addition, with so much information on the web it can cripple a student from forming in-depth analysis of subject matter. This can often lead to plagiarism both knowingly and unknowingly. The lines between what is common knowledge and what isn't is very blurred because of this. 

Using the Internet and reflecting on how it impacts a student's learning is essential to an educator. The use of the Internet in the classroom is very relevant and can be extremely beneficial to both the student and the teacher. But it is imperative that the teacher 1) protects the students, 2) make sure the student understands the proper use of the Internet, 3) do not expose the student to harmful content, 4) address and clarify any concerns regarding the use of the internet, plagiarism, and copyright laws, and 5) be aware at all times of just how the Internet affects the overall learning experience. 

Use of the Internet can be detrimental to a student's learning experience. It is the responsibility of the teacher to ensure its usage is appropriate, relevant, and beneficial.

Module 2 Reflection

This module has helped me think about using standards, CFQ’s or formative assessment in the following ways……

Module 2 has helped me think about using standards curriculum framing questions or formative assessment in the followings:

a. how do I create lessons that reflect the ALEX standards

b. how do I successfully implement the standards within my individual lessons in the classroom

c. how do standards and CFQs collaborate effectively

Before I began the Instructional Technology Masters in the school of education, I was actively taking courses in Collaborative Teaching K-6. I was required to take and successfully pass 4 pre-requisite courses before I could start taking graduate level course in the M.Ed for Collaborative Teaching. I was first introduced to the ALEX website and the use of standards in the Elementary Math for Teachers course with Professor Brown. We had to create a portfolio with standards for grades K-8 in all the subject ares he covered in the class. Each standard had to have a lesson plan and at least one worksheet to accompany the standard and support the lesson. I was taken aback of just how important the standards were and how teachers taught according to these standards. It took me weeks to complete the portfolio. 

Now with all the being said, the unit plan assignment and Module 2 this week has helped me think more in depth about standards and their importance. Before I was simply gathering standards and lesson plans for each subject matter. This class however required that I hone in on one specific subject area in my unit plan and think heavily about how the curriculum, standards, formative assessment, lesson objectives, and projects must work cohesively together with one common goal in mind: teach the student as effectively as possible. In order to deliver lessons to students effectively all these components must go hand in hand. Previously, I learned how to look up standards, complimenting lessons plans that I did not create myself (because they came from the ALEX website as well) and worksheets on a variety of lesson subject matter. This unit plan assignment pushed me to thinker deeper about what I wanted to teach and just how it would benefit the student and relate to the standards. I was expected to not just research and regurgitate items on a website that all educators have access to use. Instead, I was challenged to create a unit with specific lessons that are structured around the curriculum framing questions.

Module 1 Reflection

"This module has made me think about my role as an instructional designer in the following ways..."

This module has made me think about my role as  instructional designer in the following ways:

a. how will I motivate my students to learn?

b. how will I create and implement projects that will be useful in my classroom?

c. how do I make sure that my students are taking full advantage of what project-based learning has to offer?

After watching the video lessons and completing the assignments for Module 1, I was overwhelmed with a wealth of valuable and pertinent information. It made me think about just what project-based learning is and how it is beneficial to all types of students and their learning patterns. I was intrigued from the very beginning. I had so many questions and I am glad that module allowed me to set goals, ask questions, and conduct an in-depth analysis about project-based learning and its benefits to both the teacher and student.

When I think of my role as an instructional designer, I want to be able to use trending technologies, practical teaching methods, and motivation strategies that will enhance the learning experience of all my students. I want to instructionally design a course that will grasp and maintain the attention of every student no matter if they are a low or high performing student. My goal as an instructional designer is to introduce learning material in such a way that my students do not only feel obligated to learn and participate in the course but instead that they are compelled to learn and participate because I present the material in fun, innovative way.

I have no qualms about wanting to use project-based learning in my class. It is important that implement projects that are relevant, focused, and detailed. I want to include my students in discussions that will help shape the content and flow of projects. My role as an instructional designer within the project is to provide meticulous instructions, facilitate accordingly, keep my students motivated, adhere to the project schedule, and include experts and community members who are well versed in specific subject areas.

I want to think of my role as an instructional designer more of a responsibilty. My responsibilty as an instructional designer is to assist and guuide my students, provide well thought out projects, spark their interest to readily participate in project-based learning, and incorporate a variety of lessons within the projects to enhance their learning experience.