Category Archives: Resources

Tech-Friendly Tools

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“Formative assessment identifies areas where students are excelling and struggling so that teachers can best alter their instruction to meet the needs of all students.”

Using technology as a formative assessment tool allows teachers the ability to immediately see where their students may be struggling and adjust their lessons accordingly – they can shift their lessons to answer student questions. Technology  may also offer teachers an alternative to pen and paper.  If they prefer, they may use technology to enhance their pre-existing formative assessment.

Using technology allows teaching to plan with a purpose.  They may use the data they collect to plan their next lessons – they may spend more time on a concept that the students may not be having difficulties with or they may move on to the next topic, if all of the students have mastered the concept. The patterns that teachers may find in their data can help to find patterns in individual learners and tailor groups for student success.

To utilize technology effectively within the classroom, teachers must first find what works for them.  It is through this inquiry that they are able to explore various modes of formative assessment and discover what works for them and their students.  Upon finding what works, technology can be used to tailor lessons and work toward student success.

Burns, Monica (2015). Empowering teachers with tech-friendly formative assessment tools. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/tech-friendly-formative-assessment-tools-monica-burns

Living Resources

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During our living inquiry workshop we had the opportunity to connect with not only our classmates but people from a different cohort.  It was interesting to connect with people who, although were from a different area of focus, had similar inquiry questions. We were able to use our colleagues as resources. As we are working figuring out our teaching style and what type of teacher we would like to be as we work toward becoming professional teachers, it is our colleagues and those who are within the profession that are our best resources.  Although did we did not all have the same inquiry question, it was through discussions that we came to realize how similar our areas of interest are.

In the article ‘No Teacher is an Island: How Social Networks Shape Teacher Quality’ they discuss the importance of developing a social network and working with other teachers and professionals.  Through these networks you can teach one another the tools that you have been utilizing within your classroom, or you can learn from others and gain new insight or tools for your students success.  Before we introduce our students to a new technology tool, we must first teach ourselves and understand the uses of the specific tool.

Our living inquiry workshop was a way for us to network and develop social networks.  We were able to share our experiences and exchange information.  We were also able to exchange our social media and email information, developing a connection that we can use to facilitate our students and our own learning.

Baker-Doyle, K. (2015). No teacher is an island: how social networks shape teacher quality. Promoting and Sustaining a Quality Teacher Workforce, 367-383. Retrieved from: https://www.academia.edu/19709903/No_Teacher_is_an_Island_How_Social_Networks_Shape_Teacher_Quality

Research Study

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In a study conducted to look at students’ experiences in integrating technology in the classroom, it was found that communication between the teachers and faculty was increased, but that student learning was insufficient (Brown & Warschauer, 2006). In conjunction with this research, I believe that I will experience similar results in regards to teacher to teacher information sharing.  I am confident that using technology in the classroom is reinforced through teacher’s response and willingness to integrate it in to the curriculum.  I also believe that as we are currently experiencing a new learning curve, it will take time to fully implement the use of technology in a student-centered approach. I believe that through the interactions between teachers, we will gain a better understanding of how technology can be utilized within the classroom. Yet, I also believe that students will gain from the use of technology.  Therefore, not only will the use of technology in the classroom change the way that students learn, it will also give teachers more opportunity to collaborate and learn from what others have tried and tested in their classrooms.

Brown, D. & Warschauer, M. (2006). From the University to the Elementary Classroom: Students’ Experiences in Learning to Integrate Technology in Instruction. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 14(3), 599-621. Chesapeake, VA: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education.

Media Literacy

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The Edutopia article “ Frictionless Formative Assessment with Social Media”, offers many helpful ways to integrate social media and technology into the classroom and for use as a formative assessment tool. As social media has become increasingly more popular, it is useful to use a medium of assessment that the students are familiar with.  It also encourages the use of approved technology.  Students are going to interact with technology whether or not it is used in the classroom, but integrating social media and other familiar online reporting tools, the teacher is able to not only offer students immediate feedback on their work, but also introduced students to media literacy.  I believe that introducing students to media literacy at a young age is imperative. So not only is it important to utilize technology and social media in the classroom, I feel it is equally as important to introduce students to media literacy; understanding how to properly post as well as what is information that should be shared and information that needs to be kept personal.

 

Alfonzo, Paige (2014).  Frictionless formative assessment with social media. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/frictionless-formative-assessment-social-media-paige-alfonzo

Edu What? Edutopia!

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Edutopia: 6 Apps for Creative Writing

Edutopia is “A comprehensive website and online community that increases knowledge, sharing, and adoption of what works in K-12 education. We emphasize core strategies: project-based learning, comprehensive assessment, integrated studies, social and emotional learning, educational leadership and teacher development, and technology integration.”

It was developed by George Lucas after he discovered that school had not changed since his curiosity and creativity was not fostered but he sat through his classes bored and uninspired. He decided to make a change and developed a website that would foster innovation and would include replicable and evidence-based approaches to helping students and teachers in the K-12 system.

One of the articles that I found effective was “6 Apps for Creative Writing”. It offers educators a list of iPad Apps that can be used in the classroom to foster student’s leaning and writing. It also outlines how students can ‘publish’ or ‘post’ their work. These apps offer students the ability to not only utilize technology and other modes of learning, but to also track their learning digitally.

This supports my inquiry topic of how to use digital sources for personalized student learning as well as assessment, for both the teacher and the student. I also believe that further exploration of Edutopia will offer me many more articles and tools that I can use to either affirm or deny my inquiry topic.

Burns, Monica (2014). 6 iPad apps for creative writing.
Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-for-creative-writing-monica-burns?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow