Learning Statements

Learning StatementsFall 20091Learning Statement #1 I am learning about the importance of having a functional classroom website. 2ElaborationThe website has:helped foster a sense of community within the classroomprovided students with a means of completing work when they are absentallowed parents to be more involved with student learningbeen an effective organizational tool for both students and myself

3Evidence

4Evidence5EvidenceMost students that I talked to seemed to think that having an online homework board was a good idea. The majority of students who actually visited the homework board were students who did not have homework completion issues. Most students who had homework completion difficulties did not visit the site on a regular basis.I saved about an hour and a half over a three week period simply by directing students to the website when they had been absent.6Evidence

7Self-Assessment In CapacitiesParticipate in and help develop learning communities to support your teaching practice.Engage in a critical cycle of action reflection to understand and develop your practice.8Connection to Educational TheoryAn Examination of the Perceptions of K-12 Teachers with Active Classroom Websites. By: Julius, J. In C. Crawford et al. (eds), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2005 (pp. 1435-1437). Chesapeake, VA: AACE

This article indicated how little research and literature there is on the subject of classroom websites.The majority of teachers surveyed felt that websites were useful. I would assume that is why they had a class website to begin with.

9Connections to Educational TheoryTurning Lurkers into Learners: Increasing Participation in your Online Discussions. By Alley, Jason; Greenhaus, Karen. Learning and Leading with Technology. V35 p. 18-21 Aug. 2007

The article discusses how using tools like Sharepoint for online discussion is a means of engaging students in curriculum based learning.The article states how important it is for teachers to provide a safe and inviting online discussion environment. 10Vision or GoalsContinue using Sharepoint to do the following:Homework BoardOrganize assignments and handoutsDiscussion BoardsWikisHand in box

11Learning Statement #2I am learning that there is a distinct difference between being a learner and being a student.12ElaborationWebsters Dictionary defines student as:One who attends a school

13ElaborationWebsters Dictionary defines learner as:One who gains knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience

14ElaborationAs educators we need to turn our students into learners.

How do we do this?

Engage them by using technology as well as by presenting phenomena to be investigated

15Evidencehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o16EvidenceThe only assignment that has been handed in on time by all of the learners on my team was an assignment posted to the website. 17Evidence

18EvidenceWe have learned to play school! We study the right facts the night before the test so we achieve a passing grade and thus become a successful student19Self-Assessment In CapacitiesAccess, evaluate and integrate existing and emerging technologies into your practiceEngage in a critical cycle of action-reflection to understand and develop your practice20Connection to Educational TheoryEleanor Duckworth The Having of Wonderful IdeasPresent phenomena and have students generate their own ideas about that phenomena. We create learners by having them investigate phenomena

21Vision or GoalsFacilitate the transformation of my students into learnersFind new ways to engage learnersEncourage learners to question and investigate phenomena22Learning Statement #3I am learning about how to better deliver curriculum using technology.23ElaborationUntil this year technology is not something that I was comfortable with using in my classroomThe benefits of technology are limitless Technology is a tool to deliver curriculum and to help learners demonstrate an understanding of the prescribed learning outcomes24EvidenceBefore starting the program I used very little if any technology in the classroomAt points during the program Ive felt that I had to try and use some form of technology for everythingIm starting to see technology as simply a tool in helping students gain an understanding of prescribed learning outcomes25Evidencehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEFKfXiCbLw26Evidence27Self-Assessment In CapacitiesEngage in a critical cycle of action reflection to understand and develop your practiceUse, evaluate and integrate existing and emerging technologies into your practice28Connection to Educational TheoryInstructional Technology: A tool or a panacea?. By: Kimmel, Howard; Deek, Fadi. Journal of Science Education and Technology. V4. p. 327-332, Oct. 10, 2005

Digital tools for the classroom must be accompanied by systemic change in the educational process Teachers must be provided with the necessary environment for training, tools for instruction, and technology evaluation skills.

The teacher must select appropriate technological tools to facilitate learning in a particular curricular area29Connections to Educational Theoryhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn7rHDRljO0

Jeremy Roschelle and Jim Kaput have taken ideas from mathematics, computer science and developmental psychology to develop an educational technology called SimcalcAbility to bring mathematical concepts to life30Vision or GoalsContinue to learn new technologies that can be implemented into the classroomUse technology when it is appropriateBecome more proficient at technologies that can be implemented into the classroomEngage students to want to learn and create their own knowledge31