- In creating the fifth and sixth component of your Classroom Environment Plan what have you done that is different at the start of the school year than what you have done in the past?
For incorporating technology, I focused on students being directly involved in acquiring resources a planning for the resource use. I worked with my team members to create cornell notes sheets that students would use during a research project. Students were to find resources, and plan ahead on how to organize the information from the resources to tell the story of their topic. Students were also taught to paraphrase their notes since copying is plagiarism. This is different than how we taught note taking in the past, we typically would have students take notes on anything they found important, and then organize all their notes at the end of the note taking practice time. This way forced students to recognize what was actually important ahead of time, and informed of them of what information they may have had a lot of, or were missing, from their topic. I also have allowed students this year to bring their own device to school, mainly for work time. Some students enjoy listening to their own music or being able to quick google something on their phone, than use a chromebook or iPad. So far, I have seen it work well.
This year I am having students use an Assessment Dialogue Form to self assess so they may have self-directed learning experiences. You can see the form on the left of the page. This is different than how I've had students reflect in the pas. Typically I would have just asked students to give themselves a score on a summative assessment, and then explain why they deserve the score they gave themselves. This year, I am having students use this form for some formative and summative assessments.
- What have you enhanced within your plan that you have done previously in your classroom with technology and students as directors of their own learning?
I have been working with a few SPED students to use technology to be able to show their knowledge in the classroom. Some of these technologies are ones that I have had in the past, but haven't used. I have put DragonDiction on an iPad for students to speak their answers instead of write them out. I also have students using the textbook on our iPads, which will read aloud to students so they can focus on the content, instead of reading skills.
I have always allowed students to choose their own research project topics, but this year I asked students to choose their topic after doing a little more digging into what their topic is about to make sure they had a good handle on what that topic is about before they truly dive in. I also found a useful peer editing sheet for students to use when typing out their research. This would allow students to help each other improve their written product through suggestions from their peers.
Synthesizing Questions #2
- How are using or how are students using technology in ways that enhance their learning and communication of learning?
- What opportunities are you creating for students to have a voice in their learning?
- How are you encouraging ways for students to have input in what and how they learn as well as engage in peer review?
Synthesizing Questions #3
- How is research supporting these two components of your plan?
Brookhart says “feedback that draws students’ attention to their self-regulation strategies or their abilities can be effective if students hear it in a way that makes them realize they will get the results they want if they expend effort and attention.” Guskey and McTighe say students can self-assess their current skill and performance levels against models given in order to set learning goals and monitor their progress along the way.
- What research has helped influence your plan in setting up opportunities to use technology and to incorporate more student choice?