Blog 8 What is the difference between project and problem-based learning? How can technology be used to support PBL?
Projects are typically thought of a presentation based activity on previous explored content. These require shorter involvement and are often used as assessments. Power point presentations or a poster that a group makes and presents to the class are examples of projects. Most often these projects are similar within the groups and tend to be repetitious and do not require the continual compelling questioning that problem-based learning requires.
Problem-based learning is used as part of the curriculum instead of the end of assessment project. They are presented as a compelling question that requires long term thought and investigation. Each student has the opportunity to come up with their own ideas that do come with "easy to find answers". These answers need to be explored and revisited over and over throughout the unit.
The ease of continual assessment with technology often encourages project based types of assignments, however, problem-based learning can also be accomplished using these similar techniques. For example, if the class is learning the new computer science standards in coding, students can start a scratch project while learning the basics and then continue to build on the code base throughout the school year while learning additional standards. This encourages engagement throughout the learning process and allows students to do the "heavy lifting" of the curriculum.
Blog 7 How can computational thinking be incorporated across the content areas?
Computational thinking is required in all content areas in education with every skill set building off of previous skill sets. It is important to start these computational thinking skills early in education for students to be prepared for further instruction which requires prerequisites.
It is easiest to compare this idea to math, without the skill set to add and subtract it would be extremely difficult to fully grasp the concept of multiplication and division. Understanding the concept and being able to perform complex problems is the fundamental idea of computational thinking.
Without knowing how to type how would one learn to code? Without knowing how to open a browser or connect to the internet how would one learn to research online? All of these skill sets are essential for students as our society continues down the technological evolutionary path. Every part of education will be touched by technology, similar to the basic need to learn to read. It is essential to become a productive member of society.
Blog 6 What are the 4Cs and how can each be supported using technology in the classroom?
The 4Cs for student learning are collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking. Using technology in the classroom can help students focus on projects and content instead of worrying about the logistics.
Technology can easily be used for communication between students and teacher discreetly and often. Students can also communicate with their peers using email and chat. This communication allows for collaboration of students to complete assignments or organize thoughts together. There are programs that allow students to build presentations together and collaborate.
There are so many different programs and applications that students can use to foster their creativity. The stop motion video maker is one that we discussed which gives students the opportunity to express themselves and use critical thinking. Learning and practicing math concepts using technology is so much easier than traditional paper style. Technology can grade instantly and give the teachers data about how their classes are grasping content.
Blog 5 How can technology be used as a summative assessment tool?
A summative assessment is an evaluation of students learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. Information from summative assessments can be used by teachers and students to guide their efforts and activities in subsequent courses. In our digital age it is essential for students to be able to use technology, what better way than as a summative assessment?
My favorite way to use technology as a summative assessment tool is for students to complete a final project. There are so many applications available for students to create presentations, like slides, reports or even reteach a lesson using their own ideas they learned throughout the unit. A final paper can also be counted as a summative assessment but isn't as fun as creating a presentation.
Summative assessments are very important to establish the final product or outcome of a program or program activity. These help evaluate what the student knows and how the teacher can improve.
Blog 4 How can technology be used as a formative assessment tool?
Similar to informal formative assessments, technology can also be used to complete formative assessments. Simple quizzes can be created for students that can be graded automatically and that data is instantly sent to the teacher. This data can be easily read and analyzed by the teacher so that the next lesson can be directed toward successful learning and possible reteaching.
It can be difficult to know how each student is understanding the material until formal assessments are given. Using technology to create quizzes is so simple and easy that teachers can make them more often and receive a better understanding of what the students need instead of waiting until the end of a unit and hoping for the best.
As educators we want to constantly improve our art of teaching, what better way to accomplish this then to use formative assessments often, to gage how the students learn from us? It is instant and easy and informative!
Blog 3 How can technology be used as an informal formative assessment tool?
There are many resources available for teachers to create easy formative assessments that are simple and quick to put together. These informal formative assessments can help teachers know what content has been taught successfully or what material needs more attention. These tools can also evaluate students on an emotional basis to communicate how the students are feeling about a particular subject.
Teachers can create presentations using applications like pear deck or near pod. These applications can include interactive activities for students to engage with before, during and after the lesson. These assessments can be taken alone, as a group and even interact with their peers or teacher. These applications also create a fun environment for the students to take informal assessments without any pressure of answering incorrectly.
By taking advantage of this technology teachers can receive personal interactions from each of their students quickly and more often. If teachers know how their students are understanding material in the best way and feeling about the class, learning becomes easier for everyone.
Blog 2 What does it mean to be a responsible digital citizen?
Our society is moving more and more towards digital life. The need for technology to learn, socialize and work has become essential in being a productive member of society. It is important to establish rules and manners within this digital world to continue our humanity and civility towards each other. It is easy to forget how impactful our digital presence can be.
Teaching students how to conduct themselves within the digital world is now part of the curriculum in schools, as it should be because it will be in their lives forever. Learning to be a responsible digital citizen means being respectful to others who have different beliefs than yourself, checking sources from posts to make sure they are valid, being engaged in your community, and know how to be safe online.
While teaching the importance of being a digital citizen, as educators should focus on behavior to do online instead of only focusing on the "no not" dos. As well as good mannerisms we should also learn to take responsibility for our own actions in the digital world.
Blog 1 How do teachers continually improve their practice?
Teachers can continually improve their practice by maintaining a learning attitude, striving to engage every kind of student with the content, and maintaining good professional relationships with fellow teachers. Asking for feedback from other teachers and applying that feedback to continually improve teaching methods can significantly make a difference. Watching veteran teachers and asking questions about their methods can inspire change as well.
There are many teacher networks online that can be utilized to bring in new ideas to teaching. Simply looking for new ways to improve everyday can keep teachers up to date with the changing times. Using social media apps like pinterest and teacher blogs can also be helpful but the most effective way for teachers to improve their practice is by maintaining relationships with other teachers and engage in a give and take type feedback to evaluate teaching methods in the classroom.
Listening to students while they discuss their thoughts in the classroom can make a student out of the teacher. Each of us can constantly improve ourselves and strive to become better citizens and members of our communities.