Final Reflection

For my final reflection, I thought that I could create a PPT presentation to share with my colleagues this fall about how we can use our iPads in our classrooms for more than just apps and games for students to play.  Check it out!

New Horizon K12 Reflection

I recently read Rise of STEAM Learning in the Horizon Report 2015 K12 Edition. I was interested in this topic as I am familiar with STEM but wanted to know more about integrating the arts along with science, technology, engineering, and math. According to the report, STEAM learning is a short-term impact trend that is driving EdTech adoption for one to two years.

            The article discusses how schools have been combining core subjects with the benefit of deeper interdisciplinary learning, rather than isolating the subjects. To me, this is very similar, if not an extension, of project-based learning. STEAM includes art integration making it another instructional strategy for teachers. After reading through the article, I was intrigued as to how I can implement STEAM into my own classroom, so I followed one of the article’s suggested links to look into lesson plans that suit the kindergarten classroom. I also searched ‘STEAM in Kindergarten’ and I found an amazing website in my search called We Are Teachers. I will be completely honest and say that I got side-tracked with all of the wonderful resources and articles, but I was able to read more about STEAM lessons for my grade level. 

            I really appreciated reading a little about EdTech in the Horizon Report and feel motivated to be a leader in my school regarding technology integration. 

References

Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., and Freeman, A. (2015). NMC Horizon Report: 2015 K-12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.

WeAreTeachers Home Page. (n.d.). Retrieved July 20, 2015, from http://www.weareteachers.com

Module #4 Reflection

During module 4, I learned quite a bit about the flipped classroom. According to  the staff at TeachThought.com, the flipped classroom is "a classroom where students are introduced to content at home, and practice working through it at school" (2015). Through reading articles and watching videos about the flipped classroom, it is clear to me that flipping my own classroom is not something I feel would be beneficial to me or my students.  There are a lot of requirements that go along with this mode of instruction such as internet access and parental support at home.  I could see the benefit of flipping lessons for certain topics in secondary and college level classes where students are much more independent, however, in the primary grades, I feel that the flipped classroom is not necessary. If I were to flip my classroom, I would choose to do so in a modified way within the school building. An example would be to teach my students how to complete center activities through video instruction. This could be done during the student's snack time in order to save instructional time in the day. Using videos to explain the directions to students would allow them the opportunity to watch as many times as they needed to understand what to do.  Below is an example of this 'flipped' instruction.

Along with the above video, I created three flipped lessons for my students through Edmodo. These lessons were made for the purpose of my students gaining background knowledge of certain words and ideas so we could discuss deeper meaning in the classroom during an author study.

Lesson on PATIENCE

Students and helpers read the note first.

Students and helper follow the directions to watch both videos.

Students and helper complete survey.

As mentioned earlier, I feel that the flipped classroom offers more benefits to students who are mature enough to be self-motivated learners and independently able to complete an assignment of this kind.

Module 4 also included an assignment to create and print an image on a sticky note.  Using tutorials, I was able to make sticky notes to go along with my reading comprehension lessons on character traits. My district suggests using sticky notes to use in big books to identify character trait examples, so this assignment was very purposeful to me.   

       

Sources:
Edmodo.com
TeachThought

Module #3 Reflection

In Module #3, I was able to learn about collaborative and non-collaborative learning.  Through reading about and creating collaborative and non-collaborative learning opportunities, I am able to engage my students in different ways. I was able to read a few articles about collaborative learning and how it promotes critical thinking among participants through discussion. Students are talking through their problem or activity and gaining new insights as to how to solve or complete it. While collaborative learning is a promising mode of instruction, the teacher and participants need to keep an open mind and work together in engaging and solving real-world problems.  To read summaries of the articles I read, you can go to my original blog post.

Non-collaborative learning is different in that students are able to work on a project at their own pace and at the most appropriate time.  This is a fantastic way to differentiate your classroom instruction by allowing students who demonstrate more independence and motivation to complete an activity. There are many non-collaborative learning opportunities such as WebQuests, Scavenger Hunts, Virtual Tours, and Hotlists.  For my assignment, I chose to make a Teacher and Student Hotlist of websites that I frequently use while teaching or websites/blogs I frequently use as resources in my teaching.

The final project I worked on within Module 3 was using PowerPoint to make a game using index cards.  I took a game that I've had my students play for years but amped it up to make it more visually appealing and matching our school mascot.  Sight Word HOOT! was born using fun clip art, borders, digital paper, and of course, formatting it to fit 4x6 index cards.  This project was so useful to me because I never would've thought to print on index cards.  Besides Sight Word HOOT!, I plan on making personalized name cards and bookmarks for my students this next year.

Module #2 Reflection

During Module #2, I was able to learn more about copyright and creative commons.  I had a pretty basic knowledge before I began this module, and now I have a much better understanding of what is and is not available to use in my classroom.  One of the assignments I needed to complete was using an app to create a Mind Map to use in my classroom.  Well, as a Kindergarten teacher, I thought I better make this kid-friendly by adding pictures and keeping it simple.  Below is a picture of my kid-friendly Mind Map with copyright, fair use, and citing sources.

You can read more about my mind map here.

Module #2 also allowed me to work with PowerPoint to create a custom clip art shape.  I used a few of the different tools in PowerPoint like fill effects, arrange, and group.  It was a fun assignment to complete, but also beneficial, as I will use this shape in newsletters I send home to families and activities with my students.  

If you want to read about how I made this cute little owl, check out my original blog post here.

Module #1 Reflection

In Module 1, I was able to learn more about the International Society for Technology in Education and the standards for both teachers and students.  The standards were not only designed for teachers and students, but administrators, coaches, and computer-science educators.  In each set of standards, the recurring theme of providing opportunities and learning how to effectively engage in an increasingly global and digital world is evident.  Using the standards in my Kindergarten classroom will provide my students with a foundation of digital and global awareness that they will build upon as they progress through their education. 

Along with learning about the ISTE standards for teachers and students, I was given the opportunity to learn more about the Framework for 21^st Century Learning.  The P21 Framework outlines student outcomes by integrating the key subjects (3 R’s), along with life and career skills, information, media, and technology skills, and learning and innovation skills (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity).  My district has been working with the P21 Framework through a program called Education that Works. In this program, students are working with various community members from non-profit organizations to the business community in order to bring real-world applications to the classroom.  In my kindergarten classroom, I can help build a base for applying critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity through project-based learning activities at the cognitive level of my students.