Module 10

         Tests - Only assessment of student learning?

  

       Tests being the only objective assessment of student learning is an idea that stirs much controversy! Tests can come in many shapes and sizes however the idea that tests assess students achievement and knowledge falls into the category fair but not equal! Students learn in many different ways and with that being said a "test" can merely fail us as teachers trying to identify the true objectives learned by a student. Whose to say students are not good test takers? 

In my district, students are certainly forced to take state assessments where they must read and write in response to text within a timely manner. If these students don't perform accurately they are held accountable for state scores where teachers are also held accountable as these scores reflect teacher performance! Some students simply can not test well and this is certainly a flaw in our educational system as we all can remember the sweat and worry that would go into those big tests that make a huge difference for districts and now teachers careers. 

How can we hold students accountable if we measure them through such high standards and accountability? Certainly it is an important step to measure students learned knowledge and to hold them accountable for what they learned however we are holding them to high by assuming "tests" are the answer to all. Tests are a great form of measurement as long as they are adapted and created to match the students learning styles and abilities.

How can a student who learns best through auditory learning master a test where they must sit in silence listening to a ticking clock counting down their time, pass? This is merely setting students up for failure! Tests need to be adapted and given in various approaches and formats therefor comprehension can be measured but through a more fair approach. 

I certainly feel that tests being the only assessment of student learning is a false statement as their are many more acceptable ways to measure a students knowledge rather than simply "testing them."

Module 6

Technology infused classrooms

Technology infused classrooms look like modern up to date devices in play daily coordinating with the current curriculum. Many classrooms that are technology infused/ driven contain technological devices such as laptops, Google Chrome Books, Elmos, Image projectors, SmartBoards, Smart Responders and more. These types of classrooms contain up to date devices that offer students opportunities to better learn academics through visual, manipulative and kinesthetic technological devices. 

Having my own technology infused classroom, I plan on allowing my students constant access and use of all technological devices offered by planning lessons incorporating them daily. The ability to afford students the opportunity to use these devices when learning makes for an engaged and interested classroom. Therefore, my own technology infused classroom will have students working in cooperative learning groups using technology offered to better understand the material. For instance, if we are working on non-fiction texts, I can ask the students to group with their leveled reading groups and formulate a non-fiction text using iMovie sounds and images to create their own non-fiction text. Also, if we are learning vocabulary, I can have the students respond to created questions using the Smart Responders therefore allowing myself to identify students with a strong and limited understanding of content knowledge through responses. 

Technology infused classrooms! 

Overall, a technology infused classrooms identifies all necessary practices for essential learning using technological approaches. These may be any of the examples listed above and can include lessons that allow various learning styles to be met as technology connects with all learning styles auditory, kinesthetic, visual, tactile and more. My classroom is already technology infused as I was given a great opportunity to allow my students to learn with some of the most modern up to date technological devices. I must admit, teaching with technology, certainly makes for a much more engaged and interested classroom! 

Module 4

Visual Literacy and Internet's impact on Teaching!

  

Visual Literacy and the use of the internet can impact the teaching and learning process in the classroom in many ways. Students are of all different learning styles, so its important we as teachers deliver instruction in various ways. Visual-thinking learners find themselves learning best through visual aids where material is evident for them through some form of visual display. When a student can observe and visualize material they are given better opportunities for success as they now have another aspect of the material along with a model  to better comprehend the instruction being delivered. By allowing visual aids within the classroom more or less visual literacy, students can read and identify with the material being offered touching on visual learning styles.
    

Within my classroom, visual-thinking strategies play a major role daily as I am a language arts teacher and literacy is a strong component used often. One visual-thinking strategy I often use YouTube videos when teaching a new grammar strategy as students can identify and connect with the material within the video. This allows for students to now build background prior to learning and connect with the visual approach as well as the critical thinking aspect as students must listen, record and connect with the videos theme. My students do very well with the YouTube approach because they are familiar with this site as well as comfortable with this modern approach to learning. By playing these videos I am allowing my students additional aspects of the material along with building background through personal connection and another perspective!

The internet has become a huge role within my classroom as its a strong tool used in many of my lessons. I find that applying internet aspects such as interactive games and web-based approaches to learning such as research projects that need internet searching help guide students to achieving success. The role the internet plays in my classroom is that of a partner. I formulate lessons and students use the internet to better comprehend and connect
 with the material as the internet is now a modern way of connecting. A student doesn't know a word they look it up, wants to better understand a math problem, type in the mathematical term and find a YouTube video. In my classroom, I have to admit I somewhat use the internet as a team teacher as I find it most useful for students building more knowledge on a topic introduced within class. 

Module 2 Response

Instructional Strategies impact on 21st Century learners.

In the mind of a 21st Century learner...

           Using a variety of instructional strategies affords students the opportunity to better comprehend material being addressed. Various approaches to instructional delivery methods only benefits students as classrooms, especially 21^st century classrooms, are filled with all different kinds of learners. Howard Gardner’s, multiple intelligence theory addresses the fact that many learners learn in different ways. Some learners learn best through kinesthetic learning, bodily hands on learning, while some learn visually as well as auditory. With that being said, it is evident that many learners find success when instruction is delivered through various approaches allowing for all types of learners to benefit. One might learn best through a PowerPoint presentation where information is delivered visually, and auditory.  This delivery method best applies to the teacher-centered strategy as it benefits students from the teacher created approach on guidance and teacher directed discussion allowing for student questioning and understanding from the teacher’s aspect.

      Student-centered strategies are best applied to kinesthetic learners as they are hands on approaching learning by working cooperatively. This type of learner in the 21^st century might be working on a class project using Google Chrome books with assigned roles and research. This type of learning allows for student-centered strategy as discussion and learning is more so student directed. Students work together to share information and tasks. Both aspects of learning teacher-centered strategies and student-centered strategies play a major role when adding value to educating 21^st century learners. The variety of instructional strategies benefits various learners along with stressing the importance technology plays on 21^st century learners. By following these various instructional strategies we can identify with our learners by approaching technology through different aspects, the teacher and students, making it much more comprehensible for the learner.

  Students in Austin go paperless and learn vocabulary through different instructional strategies! 

   As a teacher of 21^st century learners, it’s safe to say that applying different instructional strategies to material being taught will afford more success to students. A simple task such as teaching vocabulary can now meet various approaches and learning styles as it is for instance, displayed on the Smart board with music, picture examples, student directed through game approached where they come to the board and play (kinesthetic.) The technology offered to our students today is overwhelming compared to the technology we once couldn’t offer where words would be displayed on a chalkboard and the only form of learning would be teacher directed discussion. Technology will impact students immensely within the 21^st century and our approaches to instructional delivery and our use of various instructional strategies are going to determine the true success that will be measured based on these opportunities afforded to our students now!