My first goal: To develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
One of the steps in determining effective assessment is choosing the appropriate supporting technology that will assist in the assessment of your students (Laureate Education, Inc, 2010). This week, during my social studies class, I introduced my students to Wikis since I felt that this program would allow me to assess my students mastery of content while allowing them to collaborate with each other while learning the material. The primary reason for introducing my students to Wikis this week was so that they could begin to learn how to use the program and all of the technological tools that can be utilized within it. Since this was their first exposure to a Wiki, I made sure my goal for the lesson was realistic. By the end of the lesson, students were expected to have successfully logged on to the Wiki, edit the lesson page, and save their work. I plan on having my students work on a different Wiki page to summarize each of our social studies lessons. As they continue to work on Wikis, I plan on adding a different skill set with each lesson. For example, my goal for our next lesson is for students to be able to add and edit text on their page along with adding pictures to their page as well. Ultimately, I want my students to feel comfortable enough with Wikis so that they will be able to work in small groups in order to create their own pages that they will be able to use to teach the class with when we are studying our unit over the regions of the United States later this year. This activity will also work as a performance-based assessment that will allow me to determine the level as to which my students understand the content they are sharing with their classmates (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). However, in order for me to achieve that goal, I need to teach my students about Wikis in a step-by-step process to ensure that they do not feel overwhelmed by all of the different tools that are available on a Wiki.
My second goal: To evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning.
With the ever-changing technology that is constantly being developed, there are many emerging digital tools with the capabilities of assisting students with their learning. My partner teacher and I were given one of these such tools this past week when we received our Smartpen. A Smartpen is a tool that records both the written word and audio spoken during a lesson. For example, if a teacher is trying to explain the steps needed to solve a math problem, the Smartpen will record each of the steps in the order that the teacher writes them along with any dialogue the teacher is providing while writing the steps. When completed, the teacher can then upload the file to Livescribe website and then have the capabilities to post the lesson onto their own class website for their students to access from home if they need additional assistance with understanding the lesson. While a tool such as this will probably be best utilized within a math class, I will still be able to use it within my science and social studies class when needed. Students should develop a better understanding of the content due to the fact that they will be able to 'experience' the teacher's lesson for a second time from their home. Keeping this in mind, the biggest challenge that I currently face with this new digital tool is the manner in which I will be able to incorporate it within my lessons.
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach: Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Program 7: Assessing Student Learning with Technology [DVD]. Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteThe Smartpen sounds like a great tool! I could certainly see using it in my math classes. This recording feature seems especially helpful for students who are absent or those who missed a day of instruction. Saving and uploading a file like this to the web could keep them from falling behind. I typically just export my notes/presentation as a .pdf and email it to my students. However, a voice recording and video file could be even more useful to students. Although this technology seems daunting at first, I would encourage you to keep pursuing it. As your probably finding with the wikis in your class, this technology can be very rewarding and engaging for students.
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI think you are very practical for creating a Wiki space to assess your students' mastery of content. Choosing realistic goals and using baby steps while showing how to use Wiki is a great idea. I am sure that your students will enjoy the Wiki and feel engaged to the lesson. I think students' families will also enjoy to see and read Wiki pages. Therefore, you may ask students to share the wiki url with their families. Good luck with your Wiki website.
Brian, one of my themes for this year has been 'little by little'. While I may feel overwhelmed by all of the different types of technology that I plan, or hope, to use within my classroom this year, I try to incorporate a little at a time. No matter if it's what I introduce to my students, or what I add to my own repertoire.
ReplyDeleteZulfi, thanks for the idea of sharing the wikis with my students' parents. I hadn't thought of doing that. Some of my students have been editing their class's wiki from home for extra practice, but I think I might be able to get more student involved from home if they know they can share what they're doing with their parents.
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteWiki is a great tool. I have used once and it was a fruitful experience. Students like to collaborate and enjoy the feeling of creating an artifact. I think it also allows shy students to express themselves by creating content or helping their peers. As Zulfi pointed out, sharing the wiki with your students' parents could be a great idea. I think they will like to see their kids performance.
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of using a SmartPen, but like you, I am having a hard time coming up with how to use it in other courses. Screencasts are a similar tool, but they would be difficult to do during class. As a Social Studies teacher, one idea I came up with would be to use it during a class brainstorming activity. Students could use it when they contribute an answer and could also explain how the answer fits into the discussion. This way, students who were absent that day could hear and see what they missed.