Let me begin by saying this semester has been the most pleasant and thought provoking summer of my major degree. I loved the book and plan to use it up literally, the content was exceptional. Learning alongside the professor and classmates was genuinely a meaningful learning moment.
After being introduced to the infusing of today’s phenomenal
technology resources and the awareness of how to combine content, pedagogy,
knowledge, and mind altering technology into a much needed revamp the
classroom, I now know how to better turn the classroom into a new meaningful learning
environment. Through the use of a few of the technology tools such as Wordle, 3rd
World Farmer, NETS, 21st Century Learning, concept maps, screencasts
and blogs a resource of avenues to create meaningful learning have emerged and
become cemented in my mind.
While the tools of the technology trade are needed
and valuable, the learning process became the center of a personal need for me
this semester. The impact of having an opportunity to reflect and change my
submissions this semester has no doubt change my entire vision of learning and
evaluation. Many years ago I was introduced to the concept of giving my
students the chance to revise their math homework, classwork, and yes even their
tests. I too believed that given a second chance more learning could happen in
that extra effort by a 7th grade child as they learned pre-algebra.
I became “the bomb”, they could not believe that a teacher would give them more
points for their work if they took the paper and got help to redo the answers. Bear
in mind I graded the paper, gave it back, told them to rewrite the process of
the math problems with the help of their peers, parents, or other family. I re-graded
the paper. I looked for effort, a new corrected process of the math problem,
and a record of how this help was presented on their papers. The students, no
doubt, learned more and appreciated it along with the parents. The first
thought that enters a teachers mind when doing this is will they cheat, will
they just copy someone else’s paper or will they begin to turn in subpar work
to start with and then expect to get the chance to redo the work. Well I have
to say none of these happened in my classroom. First, I gave the riot act to
ward off would be offenders. Then as time passed the students appreciated the
opportunity so much that their skill at getting help really created a bond of
togetherness and servant hood in the classroom.
This semester I also needed the help of reflection
and resubmission on two assignments in particular, the comparison chart and the
3rd world farmer reflection paper. I seriously could not get the
directions right for the comparison chart, I had a block as to how to present
the material in a logical way. And the 3rd world farmer simulation
had a deeper lesson to learn that almost passed me by, but after further direction
from Dr. Lewis and thoughts of reflection I could see how the simulation was
more relative to today’s classroom student.
After becoming the
recipient of the idea of resubmitting an assignment I truly believe it is
the best thing this side of chocolate. When you find yourself not understanding
the directions over and over, resubmission becomes personal—like a “gift” of
relearning that creates a deep since of gratification inside your being. I have
and always will love learning, so this is a gift that can be reopened many
times.
In conclusion, there were several important concepts
I learned this semester; good learning “has
to be” meaningful, evaluation is ongoing, and collaboration is crucial. First,
through our reading of the textbook I became very aware of a new train of
thought emerging, the learning in the classroom has to become meaningful, and the
best way to do this is by combining serious academic content knowledge, successful
researched pedagogy skills, and current and emerging technologies. But, the
adding of the technology has to happen in the planning stages of a lesson, not
an after-thought. Secondly, evaluation –even summative evaluation, is ongoing. The
learning process for each individual, is and must be, differentiated. I learn a
different way as my neighbor. I need meaningful learning in the form of
instruction, process, and evaluation on my terms and others need it on their
terms. So, the more opportunities and variation I can create in instruction
which includes evaluation, the more meaningful learning will take place. We all
want the child to get the material, and most teachers will go to the moon and
back if that meant the student would learn and benefit from the instruction.
Finally, collaboration is crucial to any learning situation. I enjoyed the use
of Facebook this semester to collaborate with my peers and professor. I have to
admit since it was my first experience in using this resource on a consistent
basis the mechanics of the software still gives me some difficulty. But, the availability
to see others work, see and make comments at will was very helpful. I also
enjoyed the use of the virtual conferences. After we became more comfortable using
the webcam and microphone and prodding from our professor, personalities
emerged and learning was shared on a different, more comfortable level.
There is no question, but today’s classroom has to
have a process of meaningful learning, the use of evaluation as ongoing, not a final
closing of a door, and an environment of collaborative teamwork or unity. The
uses of word association through wordle, the collection of thoughts through
concept maps, the creativity through Alice and screencasts, the worldly
simulations through 3rd world farmer, and the deep reflections through
blogging all contribute to a resourceful with-it teaching style I want to
project in my classroom. Just as a few examples in using these ideas in my
classroom could be:
1. Wordle
= use wordle to develop an association of the words in each mathematical
process, such as the process of solving equations. What is the most important
word in the solving of equations? Suggestive words are: adding, multiplying,
equals sign, coordinates, x, y, graph, solve, and many more suggestive by the
student.
2. Concept
Map = Students can use the concept map to organize their thoughts on the Pythagorean
Theorem. There are many sections of the theorem that branch off into smaller
thoughts that would create a clearer image of what the theorem means. Some of
the branches could be the equation A squared + B squared = C squared, the
triangles, the possible arrangements of the equation, etc.
3. Alice
= Using the software Alice, students will gain some logical reasoning in just
the use and understanding of the software. Also the creativity of the process
of making a video will motivate the process of math problem solving. An example
could be creating a video to act out a word problem. Students have a huge
problem understanding word problems and the sequence of steps to solve them.
4. 3rd
World Farmer = I can see using the moral aspects of this software along with
the use of calculations of the cost of the crops for the math classroom. Also I
could use the comparisons of the beginning wealth with the ending wealth in
money or even compare the years individual increase or decline. I would like to
use the software as previously stated in groups after the students go through
the simulation once on their own. This is no doubt a cross-curricular
opportunity to bring in social studies in the math classroom.
5. Blogging
= I think the reflections in the form of a blog would help the students
confidence. Students love to socialize. Using a blog can promote the process of
learning by showing others how to do something. Bonus points could be given to
those that help others learn the math processes and problem solving skills. So
teamwork and a feeling of family could be established in the classroom.
As teachers of the 21st century classroom
we try to understand the student, their attitudes and actions. Most of us feel
that there is very little motivation from the child sitting in the classroom
desks, but when the instruction becomes relative to their experiences,
motivation is increased by technology and a deep since of gratitude is created
through reflective learning, meaningful learning can take place.
No comments:
Post a Comment