Thursday, November 8, 2012

Module 6: PowerPoints and Videos



Reading Strategies PowerPoint
            I didn’t know that black text on yellow paper stimulates learning. I would like to incorporate that in my classroom in the future. I liked the Word Wall guessing game, and I plan to start using that in my class and even letting students come up with the clues after I model it for a while. I also really liked the two versions of WORDO. I already do a lot of word sorts and think alouds in my class. I also appreciated the templates available to download on this PowerPoint. I think the PIC template would be great for upper grades. I have used 3-2-1 in the past and I really like it, but it is something I had actually forgotten about, so I appropriated this refresher. The RAFT strategy is something that I have just recently been exposed to at my school. This seems like another good strategy/tool to use with students in the upper grades. All of the strategies mentioned in this PowerPoint can be beneficial to students. This PowerPoint provides activities to use with students throughout a variety of grades. It’s nice to have this PowerPoint to refer to with all of the strategies in one place.   

            Considerations for Assessment PowerPoint
            I teach first grade and I am so glad we aren’t currently taking a standardized test. I don’t feel that they truly show what the students know. It is stressful for the students and teachers. I honestly don’t think 6 and 7 year olds have had enough experience with school to take a standardized test. Too much emphasis was placed on testing when we did give the CRCT in the lower grades. It takes away from their chances to explore and problem solve and become critical thinkers. Due to the length of these tests children tend to “zone out” or become bored or tired and simply choose answers just to get finished. As a result, the tests don’t always provide an accurate picture of what the child actually knows. I like the idea of formative assessments and monitoring student learning while teaching. However, eventually I guess there has to be some type of benchmark or standardized tests to collect data and compare student learning.   
  
Why I Flipped My Classroom Video
            I had never heard of “flipping a classroom” before. I found this video very informative and interesting. Differentiation is a common topic among educators. I struggled with meeting the needs of all learners in my classroom as well. Providing students with an opportunity to view videos about content coming up in class is a great idea. This way, students have some sort of background knowledge before trying to apply concepts in class. It’s nice to have a preview of what’s to come and know what to expect before being required to do an assignment. I liked the idea of spending 90% of class time on application of content rather than 90% of class time on delivery of content. I think this “flip” could make a drastic difference in what and how students learn. I am interested to learn more about this strategy, because I am curious about how students will have access to the videos before class, and how the teacher can hold parents and students accountable for watching the videos at how? I am also wondering if these are videos that the teacher finds or creates her/himself.       
   
Differentiating Instruction Video
            Differentiated instruction allows teachers to meet the needs of a variety of learners. Most of my differentiated instruction occurs during centers. During centers I can provide students with a variety of activities and assignments. I have often used menus to provide choice for my students. I also provide my students with leveled reading materials to fit their independent and instructional levels. The also students participate in follow-up activities with their leveled texts and some activities are more challenging than others. Centers are a good way to reach many different types of learners. They also provide time for individual work as well as partner and group work. This allows students to learn from one another as well.  
  
Using Assessment to Improve Instruction Video
            According to this video, good assessments aren’t just a way to document learning, but it is part of the learning process. The video suggested focusing on assessment as learning. The video seemed to be describing formative assessments as a good way to gauge student understanding. Common Core seems to be leaning more toward formative assessments such as checklists and performance tasks rather than traditional tests such as multiple choice tests. Students need to be able to apply and show what they have learned rather than making lucky guesses on multiple choice tests.  

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