Digital Badge #L- Ch. 12. Integrating Technology and Creating Change as Teacher Leaders

Integrating Technology and Creating Change as Teacher Leaders from Janyrod




References:

Maloy, R., Verock-O’Loughlin, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Badge #K- Ch. 6. Fostering Online Learning with Educational Websites and Apps

The three main concepts that I found interesting while reading chapter 6 are:

• WebQuests. 

WebQuests are online inquiries that allow putting information about any topic together. The academic content of any topic in a WebQuest is digital. The teachers can create their own WebQuests to enhance students’ learning. On the WebQuest students can explore the information that the teacher provides, and visit the websites that were preselected for them to focus on any specific topic. I would like to incorporate WebQuests in my classroom. I believe that this online learning activity is really helpful for the students to explore their skill and learn more about a concept. A WebQuest allows the teacher to incorporate activities, informational websites, videos, interactive learning games, and more to enhance a fun leaning environment in the classroom. WebQuests provide students with the opportunity to work independently or in small group activities that incorporate research, problem solving, and application of basic skills. This teacher-created lesson guides student research using the Internet while incorporating skills such as problem solving.

• Online Learning. 

Online learning is the use of electronic media, and educational technology in education. Online learning can occur in or out of the classroom. It is convenient to distance learning and flexible learning, but it can also be used in the classroom with face-to-face teaching. Online education utilizes the Internet or videoconferencing to create learning communities. Course materials are provided on a Web site; email, forums, and chat rooms are used to interact with other students and teachers. It may take place in the classroom; and it may be performed at home, at online access centers, or at a public library. I would use online learning in my classroom, since it can enhance traditional forms of education. Online learning provides hands-on experience using information technologies and makes it easier for students to access learning and customized lessons. By combing online learning with face-to-face teaching in the classroom, the teacher can help the students to enhance their knowledge and build on their skills. I would use interactive websites, educational videos, and learning games to motivate the students and get their attention in the lessons. I believe that by incorporating online learning in the classroom can help students to participate actively in their learning, work collaboratively, develop critical thinking skills, and use different learning styles.

• Educational Websites as Teaching Resources. 

Educational websites are sources found in the internet that contains digital information designed for educational purposes for K-12 students. There are many educational websites to engage the students into interactive learning activities. The educational websites might offer several subjects for different grades, and it is the teacher’s responsibility to choose the ones that can relate to the lessons. I believe that the incorporation of educational websites in the classroom are helpful for the students to keep practicing their skills, engage them in the lessons, and have a better understanding of the subject. I would like to incorporate educational websites that provide educational games because I believe that the students learn more and are more engaged in the lesson by having a fun environment in the classroom. Some of the educational websites that I prefer are:

Funbrain

PBS Kids

ABCya.com





References:

Maloy, R., Verock-O’Loughlin, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Badge #J- Ch.11. Engaging Students in Performance Assessment and Reflective Learning

A digital teaching portfolio, as stated on the book, is a collection of educational and professional materials accumulated in an electronic format (Maloy, p. 279). As teachers, we have to designing a well organized and professional teaching portfolio. This can give us an edge in a competitive job market, and help us score high marks on the school's teacher evaluation form. Electronic Portfolios are a creative means of organizing, summarizing, and sharing artifacts, information, and ideas about teaching and learning, along with personal and professional growth. The reflective process of portfolio development can be as important as the final product. In many cases, they are used as part of faculty and student evaluation along with other assessment tools such as standardized tests. A portfolio is a sampling of the breadth and depth of a person's work conveying the range of abilities, attitudes, experiences, and achievements.The following website, Center for Teaching, is a great resource to learn more about teaching portfolios, such as what to include in it, general guidelines, and also examples of some portfolios.

The next mind map gives some elements that should be included in a digital teaching portfolio.


 
                                                                    Created on Bubbl.us by Janette Rodriguez


Teachers have to evaluate students’ learning, “assessment is central to the work of teaching” (Maloy, p. 277). The assessment of learning and teaching can be viewed as two complementary and overlapping activities that aim to benefit both the quality of student learning and the professional development of the instructor. Assessing learning alone is not sufficient because the ultimate success of students also depends upon their motivation and commitment to learning. Assessing only teaching behaviors and course activities is not sufficient because qualities of the instructor may be appreciated by students, but not optimally helpful to their learning and growth. Assessing teaching and learning can help instructors improve and refine their teaching practices and help improve students’ learning and performance. There are three elements on assessment:

1. New teacher assessment is how supervisors will assess the new teacher’s work. They evaluate the teacher’s academic and classroom performance. 
2. Student assessment is how a teacher will assess students’ learning and his/her own effectiveness as a teacher. Assign grades, complete report cards, conduct meetings with families, and give written or oral feedback in the form of comments or suggestions about the students’ performance. 
3. Student self-assessment is how students are going to participate in the classroom. Student active involvement in learning helps them to build their own commitment to the school curriculum. 

          (Maloy, p. 277-278)


Preassessments are a way for teachers to know what the students know about a topic. These types of assessments come before introducing a new lesson or topic. Students come to the classroom with a broad range of pre-existing knowledge, skills, beliefs, and attitudes, which influence how they attend, interpret and organize the upcoming information. I believe that preassessments are helpful for the teacher to know how to integrate a new lesson with the knowledge that the student already have about any topic. How they process and integrate new information will affect how they remember, think, apply, and create new knowledge. Some preassessments are:

• Pretests 
• Writing prompts 
• Graphic organizers 
• Observations 
• Questions 
• Surveys

References:

Maloy, R., Verock-O’Loughlin, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.