It was fantastic to read everyone’s Unit Plans last week and see how well everyone is doing. This week consider how the work in module 4 added to your perspective on the Essential Question:
How can technology be used most effectively
to support and assess student learning?
Write about any other insights, questions, or concerns you want to address in your reflection.
7 responses so far ↓
1
Leanne Sittampalam
// Aug 27, 2009 at 2:39 am
Module 4 allowed me to start to finally organise my unit. Having planned the project steered the planning of the unit.
I now see the continual need to revisit the Essential Questions. It has taken a huge chunk of time as I have found it easier to plan and create assessment pieces and resource material along the way.
Thinking on ways in which technology can be introduced, I believe has lifted the unit I was wanting to design to a new level. The challenge is to make sure it is manageable in regards to time.
At a recent PD a colleague e-mailled us suggesting we are cutting back on reflection time. Allowing our students to tie concepts together. I want to find that balance between activites and reflection.
2
rita chiodo
// Aug 27, 2009 at 3:38 am
Module 4 has assisted me in seeing the many ways to get students to use technology in creative ways to assist students to talk about Art . One of the many issues we face in the Arts is helping students develop a confidence in discussing their Art, Art styles or Art concepts . Going through the process of creating a wiki and thinking about how it can be used (as a student sample) to encourage the development of an ‘Arts dialogue ‘ is exciting because it can be used in many different ways and contexts. As an added tool to the development of my unit,it ties in with with many of the 21st Century skills we are trying to develop in our students.As far as assessing student learning, i believe that it will enhance student learning by linking their discussions/comments to real life experiences, ideas, concepts, and work production in a forum ( eg. wiki) that encourages creative & intellectual discussions, as well as assisting in their communication skills in another format(as well as written,visual and oral) . This technology is one of many useful tools to assist in criticle thinking. In our area of the Arts (at our school) some of us are reluctant to go down this path, but that has to change if we want to get the most out of our students as deep thinkers!
3
lois
// Aug 27, 2009 at 6:33 pm
I have found having completed this module that I can use technology as a gateway to information by archiving class handouts, posting assignments, facilitating discussions and organising my course content.
I have also realised I can use wikis and blogs as a tool that allows conversations, course delivery and student assessment rather than being a log. With the teacher no longer the overly predominant active reader and responder of student learning, students as a community, take more ownership of their learning.
I am hoping with the delivery of the unit of work which now is encompassing technology, it will enhance both individual and social construction of knowledge and social presence, encourage reflective learning, provide a feeling of ownership and develop communities of interests and practices.
In terms of project-based learning with technology, I am focussing more on the power of goal-setting, self-assessment, feedback and reflection of learning and decision-making. I am using rubrics as a means for making clear to students how work and learning is valued and assessed. The goal-setting is important as it enables the students to keep to a time-line and achieve the completion of a quality project illustrating their learning within set time frames but not necessarily all at the same time. Assessment by each student and their peers may be more valuable than that given by the teacher. Reflection on how the project is going and what could be done differently is not only part of the learning process of the students but also teachers who can then modify and improve projects for future use.
4
sau30
// Oct 6, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Hi Everyone,
After finally completing this module I have acknowledge the capacity that technology has to organise my lessons and teaching materials.
I have also seen that whilst technology is a fantastic tool to use within the classroom, when planning a unit of work for a senior class it becomes more difficult to use everything that I would like to.
Reflection particularly on a topic such as aparthied a blog or discussion board on a website, that students can access and post to and discuss will assist them with their analysis and their personal reflections and assessments.
It would also allow peer assessment and comments and further foster that interaction inside and outside the classroom.
I have acknowledge that I want to include a blog within this unit, when I teach it however I am still looking at the most ‘effective’ ways that technology can be used at a senior level.
The focus changes a great deal, and the time often isnt there to explore the technology.
However having said that, if it is interactive and requires a response from the student in my mind it should be an effective use of technology.
Just some rambling thoughts!
5
Bernadette
// Oct 18, 2009 at 3:58 am
I have found that within the science field, the type of technology used can be affected by the topic being covered. At first (and second) glance, blogs are really not appropriate for a topic on light, but using Wikis or producing a newsletter are more useful. Even as I type this, I am coming up with ideas of how a blog may be used in this topic.
6
aadamsau
// Nov 2, 2009 at 5:02 am
Unit 4 has certainly taught me a lot about technology! I have spent hours trying to figure out fairly simple actions. I decided to have my students do a blog. I have finally worked out the basic blog principles, I think! It took me forever! I am looking forward to using it in class and seeing if my students become more engaged. I have a class that does the minimal work to pass and I am interested if this will lure them into learning for its own sake.
I also finally worked out how to do a google map so my students can create their own annotated map and timeline on google earth. Again it was the small things that tricked me. I spent hours trying to work out how to insert a picture into the annotation and how to link it to the blog. Again I am really curious as to how the students will use it.
The technology does allow them to interact with it at different levels and hopefully will encourage reflection. I’ll know in a few weeks as I am presenting it to them this week.
7
Lakshmi
// Nov 16, 2009 at 4:42 pm
This unit has given me some ideas about how to increase the use of technology by students to increase their learning. I have created my own science blog, and hope to use it in the future.
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