My Last Master's Class: A Reflection

After having come to the end of my time in MAT671 (Applied Best Practice Strategies in Classroom Instruction) it is now time to reflect on all that I have learned. I have learned so much in the course of just 4 weeks and I am excited that this was the ending class for my Master’s Degree. What a great way to finish this chapter in my education and a great way to start teaching. So, you ask, what did I learn?

My greatest take away in this class, was really a reminder of something previously learned: Keep developing a GROWTH MINDSET and continue to explore new ways to learn. This is a great reminder for me as a teacher, but also directly affects the students I will teach.

What was new to me in this class?

So Much! Here are 2 of my favorite new things:

1. Accessibility features on ipad, iphone, mac, and chromebooks. While I knew how to use some accessibility features, I was in awe at the amount of features available that I could use with my students, and they were just sitting right there, a few clicks away. (See previous post to learn about a few features)
2. While there are so many apps and ideas out there, I really appreciated the assignment that helped us categorize our apps that we found, and how we would use them. One of my favorite apps that I discovered during this class was Storybird. This app is a tool that allows students to create digital stories, poems and more and publish their work (print it too!). I really enjoyed creating a story myself, and I know students will enjoy exploring and expressing themselves through this app. There are so many great apps and tools out there! I can’t wait to continue exploring.

What previous thoughts and ideas were confirmed in the class readings and activities?

1. Growth Mindset. I already knew about this but I greatly appreciated the video where Carol Dweck spoke about Growth Mindset. As an avid reader, her book got added to my TBR pile immediately. Learning about Growth Mindset in this class, helped confirm that all students have the ability to learn and to take this with me as I begin teaching.
2. Personalized Learning. Professor Gilbreath spoke about this at our first Collaborative meeting and I got very much excited. Then after reading about it again in the Horizon’s report, I became excited to see that this is in the works. I have been discussing this concept of personalized learning with my parents (both teachers) for years. I love the idea that students can learn and challenge themselves at their own pace, and move on to something new when they have mastered previous content.

What questions do I still have?

1. How do I deal with push back from administration when trying to incorporate new technologies and strategies in my classroom?
2. How do I not get overwhelmed with all the various apps I can incorporate into lessons during my first year of teaching?
3. How do I know when to use the set curriculum the school has adopted and when to design something on my own?

This could go on forever… I know, I know, It comes from experience. I just need to dive right in!

What resources, tools, or instructional practices will I incorporate into my own teaching?

1. Symbaloo. I love using this as a place to gather resources for myself and for students.
2. Learning from Students. I love learning from students. They have never known a world with technology, and I am always open to see what they use and how to incorporate it into classroom learning.
3. Blogs, twitter, and Youtube. I like these as both a form of professional development to learn new tools and strategies but also a way for students to learn through online exploration.

What was my favorite assignment? Why?

My favorite assignment was creating a lesson plan mashup. This assignment was really challenging (aren’t the best things always a little challenging) and it really allowed me to explore some new tools. I may be teaching 4th grade this upcoming school year so I wanted to create a lesson I could actually use! After a lot of time spent on youtube, blogs, and content standard websites, I had finally narrowed it down to a math lesson on area and perimeter using architecture. I got so excited about the lesson, I actually want to complete the project myself (it doesn’t help that I have been watching Grand Designs). I learned a lot about different tools that students can use because it took me a long time to find an age appropriate architecture app. Overall, I think this assignment was not my favorite because of the final project but all the new information and tools I learned in the process of creating the lesson.

This class was a great way to end my credentialing and Master’s program...now on to teaching!

Accessibility Technology Tools

Check out this presentation on 4 great accessibility tools that could be used in your classroom to help your students learn more efficiently and cater to their own unique needs.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qxwnnPd3RD5hqkxYMrF8FO1W64kiYpuMvJeDqZ7pAsM/edit?usp=sharing

10 Great Teaching Resources You Don't Want to Miss!

Looking for some great resources to help you with your professional development and curriculum? Look no further! Below I have outlined 5 resources that would help me in my professional development as I start teaching as well as 5 resources that the students could use in the classroom. Check it out!

Best Practice tool for Professional Development

Name of Online Resource	Website URL	How will this site assist you in your teaching?
Wordpress	wordpress.com	With this website, I can create a portfolio of how I am progressing through each teaching domain. I can highlight what has worked well in my classroom and what things I have improved on or where I still need to improve. This would be a great way to create an online portfolio.
Learning Front	http://learningfront.com	I would use Learning Front to stay up to date with best practices and connect with other teachers about how to integrate and use technology within my classroom.
Simple K12	simplek12.com	This website allows you to have access to a variety of resources that would aid in professional development. I would be able to view webinars and online conferences about a variety of classroom tools.
PBS Teacherline	http://www.pbs.org/teacherline	I think this website will be helpful to me when it comes to specific professional developments. If there is something that I want to take a class in that my district is not offering, I would check on this site to see if there are any classes geared towards what I need.
	http://mathsolutions.com	I think this resource will help me to be more creative with how I teach math. One thing I get stuck on, is teaching concepts the way that I know, and not branching out to teach them in other ways. This website has classroom lessons, articles, and webinars to help you become more successful.

Best Practice tool for Curriculum

Name of Online Resource	Website URL	How will this site assist you in your teaching?
Google Expeditions	https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.vr.expeditions	This looks like such a fun way to learn. I would use this in my classroom specifically in History and Science. It would be such a great tool for students to connect what they are learning to the real world, and learn more new things! It would also be a cool tool to use to follow a character in a book.
Screen-o-matic	https://screencast-o-matic.com/home	I like this as a tool for myself because I can use it to record something on my screen to later show my students. For example, if I wanted to show them how to create a powerpoint in google for a specific assignment, I could use this resource to record exactly what I want and then students would be able to refer back to it if needed.
Hemingway	http://www.hemingwayapp.com	I would definitely use this in my classroom to help students self-edit their work. It highlights complex sentences and errors and helps the students fix them.
Pic Collage	http://pic-collage.com http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2016/02/summarize-day-with-pic-collage.html#.WXVfya3MxE4	I would use this resource in my classroom by allowing students to use it to summarize what they have learned through pictures and video. This would be a great way for students to create a summary in any subject or even summarize what they learned that day across all subjects.
Nasa Wavelength	http://nasawavelength.org/resource-search?facetSort=1&educationalLevel=Elementary+school	This site gives teachers a bunch of resources for a variety of grade levels. You can find the resource that you want to use and click on it for it to take you to it directly. You can also create a list and add interesting reads or activities to easily find later. I would use this when learning about space or reading non-fiction.

Incorporating Tier 2 and Tier 3 Vocabulary into a History Lesson

Below you will find a lesson for a kindergarten class. Kindergarten students learn about their community and the people who live and work their. This lesson would be a great introductory lesson to get the students to start thinking about who lives and works around them. As the unit builds, more tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary would be added.

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Lesson: A Community Of People

Subject: History

Grade: Kindergarten

Standard: Historical and Social Sciences - K.3: Students match simple descriptions of work that people do and the names of related jobs at the school, in the local community, and from historical ac­counts.

Objectives: Students will learn that a community is made up of different people who live and work near each other. Students will learn who lives in their community and the type of work that they do.

Vocabulary Words:

Tier 2:

work

play

help

different

Tier 3:

firefighter

teacher

community

Materials:

Computers and Headphones

Large Print version of article

Crayons

Pencils

Writing paper (with space for drawing)

“Play” booklet

Books about community

Lesson:

1. Students will sit on carpeted area for whole group lesson. The students will listen as the teacher reads the article “A Community of People” (readworks.org). The article will be presented large print for the class to see along with a picture of a person working in their community.
2. The teacher will circle a vocabulary word and say the word asking the students to repeat the word. Students will make inferences about what the word means and the teacher will provide them with a correct definition. The teacher will provide a sample sentence (e.g. I play outside when it is hot.) The students will “think pair share” their own sentence with their partners.
3. Students will repeat step two for each word.
4. Teacher will explain and model each station that the students will be working at prior to students moving.

Students will use computers with headphones to listen to the article again, then read books about community members.

Students will write sentences with teacher support using the vocabulary words to write about the community.

Students will add a drawing to their writing that shows community helpers working.

Students will practice using the sight word “play” to fill in the blanks in a book about the word. Then color the pictures.

5. Students will rotate to each station as they finish each task.
6. Teacher will close by having students gather back on the carpet and discuss what they learned about the community. Teacher will make sure to highlight and repeat when students use vocabulary words in their explanations.

Reintroduction

It has been awhile, so let me reintroduce myself. My name is Rachel Dunn. I have been married for 4 years and have a beautiful 1 year old daughter. I previously worked in a middle school with groups of students with special needs as a push-in Instructional Aide. I am nearing the end of my teaching program and will hopefully be teaching in a classroom soon. I feel like I would describe myself as a creative and reflective teacher. I enjoy creating lesson plans that are creative and fun that motivates students to want to learn. In addition, I am naturally reflective and modify lessons as needed to fit the needs of students. These two qualities help me to meet the needs of diverse learners. Each student that enters my class will have specific needs. Whether the student is an English Language Learner, a GATE student, a student with a special need, or an advanced or low academic student they will need someone who is creative and reflective to help them learn. Modifying and adapting lessons as well as finding ways to engage students are ways that I can meet their needs.

After taking the TeamTechnology Questionnaire, I was not surprised to find that my personality type is INFJ. I have previously done personality testa and received the same myers-briggs result. In the leadership portion of the Questionnaire I scored highest in Ideological Leader and Participative Leader. After reading the descriptions, it does make sense. Values are important to me as well making sure that people feel valued when collaborating. The career choice that the test matched me to is Education Consultant. I feel like these personality traits will affect my relationships with students positively. I care deeply for other people and their feelings. Because of this I feel like I will be able to develop strong relationships with my students which in turn help me understand the specific academic, emotional, and social needs that they may need. Sometimes because I have a need for "keeping the peace," I can become to involved in the social life of students, so it is important to remember when to butt out and when to intervene.

After taking the Teaching and Learning Styles Inventory, I have reconfirmed what I already new about my teaching and learning style. I have a higher preference toward Reflective and Visual learning. These two styles will help my students be successful because it allows for differentiated learning. Because I am reflective, I will be looking back on what was taught and the success of the lesson, and reteaching when necessary as well as modifying the lesson or the way in which I am presenting information. Visual learning can especially help students who are English Language Learners or students who have special needs. combining visuals in with text can be beneficial to many students as well as help me explain the concepts more efficiently.

Book Review/Annotated Bibliography

Annotated Bibliography:

Collins, A. and Halverson, R. (2009). Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology: The Digital Revolution and Schooling in America. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

The authors of Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology: The Digital Revolution and Schooling in America, do not necessarily advocate or go against new technologies for use within the classroom. They instead discuss the educational past and what had led up to the era of today known as the Knowledge Revolution. They discuss the various inconsistent methods between school and technology as well as bring up information that pushes towards the need for consistent change in education in order to match the consistent change in the economy. They heavily discuss previous eras and the schooling and learning that came from those eras and how they impact the schooling of today, including technology. They also discuss the different ways that learning takes place in this new era including, home schooling, online school, learning centers, etc. and parallel this to the old way of one-room classrooms. In addition, they discuss both the losses and gains that technology brings into the education system. One thing they note is the learning and schooling are not the same though they are often treated as such. Towards the conclusion of their book, the authors talk heavily about students taking ownership of their learning and how much personal accountability impacts their own learning.

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A Quick Review from me:

A major highlight in Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology: The Digital Revolution and Schooling in America by Collins and Halverson is their chapter on the new ways of schooling. They discuss how learning and schooling are not the same. They discuss how students learn differently and how traditional schooling has changed in order to fit the needs of the students. I found it interesting that “Children who are schooled at home score significantly better on standardized tests in every subject” (Collins, 2009, p. 66). The main factor here was a passion and deep care for the child’s education. The authors also discussed other ways of learning including workplace learning, distance education, adult education, learning centers, educational tv and videos, computer-based learning software, technical certifications,and internet cafes. I was overwhelmed by the amount of ways that people are learning these days! All of these in combination can lead to lifelong learning. This learning is at a global level and cultures are developing and changing due to the changes that have emerged from technology. Overall, I feel as though this book does a good job of talking about both the positives and negatives that come with every changing technology. I give this book a THUMBS UP.

Classroom Game/App Reviews

Today I am going to review two game apps that can be used in the classroom. Because I am talking about Mathematics during the month, I will find games/app that involve Math. The first will be standards-based and the second will include assistive technology.

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Standards-Based Interactive Game:

Kahoot!

Kahoot! Is an interactive game where students and teachers can create and play games. This game can help teachers review standards-based content with their students. Check out this Kahoot! about California Common Core Math Standards 5.OA.1 & 5.OA.2. 5th grade students will love reviewing their math content in this way!

It addresses these standards: (5.OA.1-2)

1. Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols.

2. Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them. For example, express the calculation “add 8 and 7, then multiply by 2” as 2 × (8 + 7). Recognize that 3 × (18932 + 921) is three times as large as 18932 + 921, without having to calculate the indicated sum or product.

Quality of Content: (How well the content models the skills of the discipline. Accuracy of content.  Appropriateness of content. The learning product meets the stated learning objectives.)

For the specific Kahoot! linked above, the content directly relates to the standards. It is accurate and appropriate for 5th grade students. For Kahoot! Games in general, not all may be addressed to standards so it is wise to review the game before using it in your classroom, or even make your own to address the specific standards that you have taught. A fun alternative would be to have the students make their own review games. For this area I would give this game a 5/5.

Potential Effectiveness as a teaching-learning tool: (including the potential effectiveness for improving instruction and learning by teachers and students. Clear learning objectives. Meets the learning needs of your learners. The technology helps learners to engage effectively with the concept/skill/idea. The learning object provides an opportunity for learners to obtain feedback.)

This game is an effective teaching-learning tool. This tool is flexible and can be adapted to fit different standards, or specific content within that standard to use as a re-teaching tool. This game is highly engaging for students. I have observed teachers using this tool, and students get very into it! Students gain instant feedback to their answers and teachers can save student scores to use as a progress-monitoring tool. There are also 4 different modes that can be used: Quiz, Jumble, Survey, and Discussion. You can use whichever fits the needs of the content and classroom environment. In effectiveness, Kahoots! receives a 5/5.

Ease of use: (Navigation. User friendly with clear instructions.   The technology connects learners with the concept/skill/idea.)

Kahoots! is easy to use and navigate. Students log on to the kahoot page and type in the game code that the teacher provides for instant access to the game. For teachers, it is also very easy. Teachers can create their own by following the easy guided steps as well as add in their own pictures. During the game play, it is easy for the teacher to navigate from question to question and see who is scoring at the top. For ease of use for teachers and students, Kahoots! receives a 5/5.

Help and documentation: (make certain that necessary assistance is provided through the object and that such information should focus upon the user's tasks and concrete steps to be carried out by the learner.)

In this category, Kahoots! falls short. Because this is a review type of game set in a trivia format, no additional help is given during the actual game. I have seen teachers give verbal hints if they see that their students are struggling to come to an answer. In addition, I have seen them give explanations for questions that were marked incorrectly by a majority of the class. This, however, falls on the teacher. The tasks and steps of the game are simple and fluid. For this category Kahoots! receives a 1/5 because most of the additional help would have to come from the teacher and not the game itself.

Overall, Kahoots! is an excellent addition to any classroom and can help making learning enjoyable and fun! 19/20 points total. Go Kahoots!

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Assistive Technology App:

Dragon Dictation

Dragon Dictation would be beneficial to students who have difficulty writing. This app allows a student to record themselves talking and the app will translate what they say into text. This would also be beneficial for students who are physically unable to write due to an injury or other impairment.

Quality of Content: (How well the content models the skills of the discipline. Accuracy of content.  Appropriateness of content. The learning product meets the stated learning objectives.)

Dragon Dictation does not have specific content and therefore cannot meet the specifically stated learning objectives. I will say that the quality of the app in capturing content is done very well. When I was using the app, it was able to accurately record what I was saying with only a few errors. You would need to tell your students who are using this app that they would need to say the punctuation that they wished to use, otherwise it does not record it. For this area I would give this app a 2/5.

Potential Effectiveness as a teaching-learning tool: (including the potential effectiveness for improving instruction and learning by teachers and students. Clear learning objectives. Meets the learning needs of your learners. The technology helps learners to engage effectively with the concept/skill/idea. The learning object provides an opportunity for learners to obtain feedback.)

This app is an effective teaching-learning tool. This app can be used cross-curricular and can help students who struggle with writing (either pencil and paper, or typing). Students do not learn from this tool specifically, but it can definitely be a part of their learning process by giving them access to text by way of verbal response. The one area that students may struggle with, is in saying the punctuation needed. Some students may not know what punctuation is needed or forget that they need to include it when they are dictating. In effectiveness, I give this app a 4/5.

Ease of use: (Navigation. User friendly with clear instructions.   The technology connects learners with the concept/skill/idea.)

Dragon Dictation is very easy to use. It is simple in format and only has a few options on the app: Record, Notes, Trash, and Download. Students would just need to tap to record and tap again to stop. All the notes are saved, and they can be cut, copied, or emailed. In ease of use, Dragon Dictation receives a 5/5.

Help and documentation: (make certain that necessary assistance is provided through the object and that such information should focus upon the user's tasks and concrete steps to be carried out by the learner.)

This app is used as help and documentation. Dragon Dictation helps students with writing by documenting their verbal input. Students can then send the information that they have recorded to themselves, or cut and paste the information into an assignment that they are working on. In this category Dragon Dictation receives a 5/5.

Overall, Dragon Dictation is an excellent addition the apps used in the classroom and can help make the learning process less frustrating for those students who struggle with writing. 16/20 points total. Great Job, Dragon Dictation!