First NETS – T (2008) standard chosen to strengthen: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Goal: One of my goals this summer is to rewrite the fourth grade math curriculum. I am going to create authentic problems that students will use mathematics to solve (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009). In the problem solving process students will need to use technology resources to research, plan and solve a real world problem.
Actions: I am going to meet with the fourth grade teachers to work with them to create a more meaningful math curriculum for next year. In the next few weeks I am going to give them a choice for the first date to meet. I can also begin to look for problem based learning sites on the Internet and gather and synthesize resources from which to get ideas.
Monitoring: Most of the monitoring will occur before, during and after the research is complete. Are students learning what I want them to learn? Are the actions helping me reach my goal (Cennamo, et. al., 2009)? If not, how can I refocus their learning?
Evaluating: To evaluate the students I will have them help me develop a rubric. To evaluate myself and my teaching I will reflect upon whether or not I met my goal. Did students learn what I wanted them to learn? If not, what can I change for next time? What went really well? Why did it go so well? To intentionally improve my practice I need to use reflection to repeat what went well and to improve what did not work well (Cennamo, et. al., 2009). I will self-assess and have students and teachers assess how the teaching and learning of this new methodology went. Formative assessment will supply me with information about student learning (Cennamo, et. al., 2009). Since the problem based learning lessons will be written on the computer it will be very easy to add a section of notes to improve my teaching for next year. Also, by the next time I teach this lesson I may have learned about a new technology tool that may be applied to problem solve.
Second NETS – T (2008) standard chosen to strengthen: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Goal: I will continue to explore ways to differentiate instruction to meet student needs and talents using technology tools. Technology is an excellent alternative to provide different leveled assignments for students. I also want to differentiate for our growing population of ELL students (Cennamo, et. al., 2009). My district uses a program called Compass Odyssey. Currently our administration building assigned students all grade level appropriate work. I am learning how to select reinforcement or challenge level activities for students all on the same topic. I am able to manipulate assignments for individual students. Next year I am going to analyze our data to determine best fit assignments for our students. I will also research different ways to use technology to differentiate lessons for students.
Actions: I will continue to explore ways to use technology to differentiate lessons for my students. In my first data meeting with teachers next year I am going to go through the data and get input from the teachers for leveling assignments on Compass Odyssey. I am going to model and use the think aloud approach with the teachers as I demonstrate how to assign different levels on the same skill (Cennamo, et. al., 2009).
Monitoring: In addition to having the ability to alter assignments, I can also monitor student performance. It is possible for me to check what was completed, how much time was spent on task, what the student did well with and what needs additional work. Learning pathways are automatically assigned for students when they need additional practice on a skill. If students are doing well, however, the program will not provide more challenging work for a student. I will need to monitor when a student is not in his/her Zone of Proximal Development. Are the actions I am taking helping me to reach my goal (Cennamo, et. al., 2009)? If not, what can I do differently?
Evaluating: Compass is only one of many programs that exist to help differentiate lessons. Is this program best meeting student needs? If not I may need to research other programs to better meet my goal of differentiating lessons using technology. I will reflect upon my actions and add notes on my digital lesson plan to improve my teaching the following year. When I reflect on my goal I will think about what went well and what needs to change to improve student achievement for the following year.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm
Posts
Lynne,
ReplyDeleteThat is a very ambitious goal, do you have others helping you or is this something you will be doing on your own?
I love your idea of having students help you to create the rubric. I also like that you will be using problem based lessons that are written on the computer. This will make it much easier to edit work if/when necessary. That is the great thing about technology, there is always something new that can help to better facilitate the way students learn information.
Our school will be working to implement RTI in our classrooms as a way to decrease the growing gap in each child's education. I was glad to hear that your district uses Compass Odyssey to provide instruction to your students at their instructional level. That is so important.
I think you have provided clear goals and the actions you will take to meet those goals. You also stated ways that you would evaluate your goals. Great job!
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for responding to my blog post! I have a tendency to always choose ambitious goals. It motivates me to work hard and do my best:) The fourth grade teachers are all excited about helping me rewrite the math curriculum this summer. It will take all of us and all of our strengths to make it work. One of our teachers speaks fluent Spanish, so she is the voice of our growing ELL population, another is a whiz at finding amazing math activities on the Internet, and the third one loves to plan hands on artsy activities that help students learn. Together we will accomplish so much. We actually have our first meeting to work on this on Wednesday. Wish us luck:)
We use RTI, but only in reading not math. Teachers have chosen to switch students for math all on their own (in grades K and 1). Second grade is joining them next year. Third and fourth grades would rather keep their own students and have flexible groups in the classroom. They feel switching students at that age is disruptive and wastes instructional time. Are you doing reading and math RTI? You will really like it!
Thanks for your positive words!!
Lynne,
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful that you have so many flexible people willing to jump on board and work to rewrite your math curriculum. I wish you all the best of luck with that!
We will find out more about our RTI schedule when we start school in the fall. Our district has given some professional development classes but nothing formal yet. Our principal will be creating a master schedule for everyone that incorporates remediation time for all students. Do your teachers create their own schedules for RTI? I am looking forward to it and will see what next year brings!
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI really like how positive you are! We need more teachers like you!!! I am very lucky to have teachers who realize the need for change and are willing to put their own time and energy into making that change happen. We really feel it will benefit our students in the long run.
No, our teachers do not make their own RTI schedules. It is actually a scheduling nightmare to fit it all in when others are available to help and take a small group. It is great that you are going to have professional development before you begin RTI. In order to do it right you should be trained. Usually finances and resources do not allow for training, yet it is so important. You are going to love it:)