Ms. Ochoa's Classroom

When teachers use technology to assess their students, it can be easier to collect data as soon as possible. Assessing students while using technology can be easier for students and teachers. One example of an assessment tool that can be implemented in the classroom is a website called PollEverywhere. This website is user friendly for both a teacher and their students in a classroom setting. A teacher can use this tool to post polls in the beginning of a class period. They can ask questions related to a previous lesson or chapter. Students can then answer questions from their computers or cell phones. This is an easy way to see the progress of the class without giving a written test. It is not stressful on the students or time consuming, and the teacher can see the results as soon as the question is answered. Tools like this can improve student learning because teachers can base lessons off of our responses. When teachers can see how much a class can recall, they will know where to start their next lesson and if the class needs a review.
“Formative vs Summative Assessment” is an article on the official Carnegie Mellon University website. This article suggests that the goal of formative assessment is to view student’s answers so teachers can change their lessons according to student progress (“Formative vs Summative Assessment”). The results from a formative assessment essentially form the rest of a teacher’s lesson plans. Formative assessments are usually taken in the beginning or middle of a chapter or unit. On the other hand, Carnegie Mellon describes summative assessment as an exam that compares a student’s learning to a set of standards (“Formative vs Summative Assessment). Summative assessments are usually taken at the end of chapters or semesters. Summative assessments test a student on how much they have learned since the class started. There are many websites that can be helpful for teachers and students when it comes to assessments. In order to present a formative assessment, teachers can have their students submit a sentence online summarizing the lesson that they went over the day before. Teachers can read student responses and see how much they actually comprehended. When it comes to summative assessments, a teacher could ask students to submit a final essay to a website that summarized all of the main points of the semester. This could prove how much a student actually retained throughout the semester.
In “Pros and cons of using technology enhanced assessment”, the University of Reading list pros such as clarifying criteria and improving student engagement, among other reasons (“Pros and cons of using technology enhanced assessment”, 2011). They also suggested that using technology can lead to a sense of isolation for students, financial struggles for the school and teachers, and other cons (“Pros and cons of using technology enhanced assessment”, 2011). These are all legitimate pros and cons when it comes to technology in the classroom. Using technology to assess students can help teachers and students alike. When students can be more engaged in the classroom, then teachers will have an easier time adjusting a lesson plan according to their student success rates. While there are pros, some cons do raise concern. Teachers want to introduce any type of helpful technology into the classroom as possible, but education does not get enough funding by far to fulfill every teacher’s wish. The unfortunate truth is that schools and teachers cannot afford all of the best technology to assess and assist student learning.
Teachers should not use only technology to assess student learning in a classroom. Even though technology can be extremely helpful in a classroom setting, there can be problems when depending on technology. It is important for teachers to include personal interactions with their students. If students are stuck behind computer screens all year and have little to no interaction with their teacher in the front of the class, then student motivation can plummet. It is important to find the perfect balance between using technology in the classroom and also implementing classic ways of teaching and assessing students.
The official ISTE standards website suggests that one standard for teachers should “design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments” (“Standards for Teachers”). Using technology to assess students is important in any classroom. When teachers introduce new tools into a classroom, a student learns more than if they were to take written tests every week. This way, students and teachers can learn together. Students can learn about new technological advances, and teachers can learn about their students’ progress. Technology can open opportunities for both teachers and students alike. This is important because despite few drawbacks, technology can help everyone learn and adapt to the new world.

References
Accessibility navigation: Pros and cons of using technology enhanced assessment. (2011, August
9). Retrieved November 21, 2015, from https://www.reading.ac.uk/engageinassessment/
using-technology/eia-pros-and-cons-of-using-technology.aspx
Formative vs Summative Assessment. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2015, from
https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/assessment/basics/formative-summative.html
Standards for Teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2015, from
http://www.iste.org/standards/ISTE-standards/standards-for-teachers

Our First Poll

 

Correct Answer: C

 

This assessment could be used either in the classroom or as a homework assignment. I would use an assessment like this during the first week of my class. Based on this information, I could see where my students stand when it comes to these topics such as grammar, spelling, and basic formatting knowledge. This will also show me where I should pick up to help make sure that my students know the answer to every question at the end of the year. I will give them the same test at the end of the first semester and then the year to track their progress. This would be considered a formative assessment in the beginning because I will use this to see my students’ initial knowledge as they walk into my classroom.

Using technology in the classroom to differentiate instruction can become a slippery slope. While technology can enhance learning, it can also hinder learning if a teacher solely depends on technology to teach their lesson. Teachers must find the right amount of technology to use in the classroom. Technology should be used for enhancing a teacher’s lesson, not replacing teacher interaction altogether. Technology can be used in a multitude of ways in the classroom. “Using Technology to Create Student-Centered Learning Environment” suggests including interactive online assignments such as online quizzes, blogs, and discussion boards (Saxena, 2013). These technologies can enhance students’ learning in many different ways. Students can test their knowledge with online quizzes. They can do extensive research on the lesson topic and learn from legitimate blogs. They can even talk to other people online about these topics and learn new information. However, each of these tools have potential downsides. A student can get side tracked and go onto inappropriate websites. They could learn false information from illegitimate blogs. They could also learn false information talking on a message board or find themselves talking to the wrong people. It is important to keep the cons in mind when introducing technology into the classroom and to prevent as much of these from happening as possible.
A teacher should not use technology only to differentiate instruction. Teachers can introduce technology to help their students in other ways as well. Technology can be used to help students test themselves and help each other. “Report from EduBloggerCon at ISTE10: Trends and Tools” reveals that some schools are using tools that help students mentor each other through websites and evidently learn from teaching (Ray, 2010). Technology can be used for students to connect all around the world. Websites and software such as instant messaging and video chat can help students mentor each other. When a student can mentor someone else about a topic they are familiar with, the information is ingrained into the students’ minds. The mentor must remember information from the lesson and put it into their own words in order to present the information correctly to another student.
When different forms of technology can be used to differentiate instruction, more students are able to understand the lesson in front of them. There are multiple types of learners in the world. Some students learn best from seeing the information in front of them. Others can understand information easier when they hear the new information. Some students cannot fully comprehend a lesson until they have a hands on experience or activity in regards to the lesson. When technology is introduced into the classroom, then the same lesson can be taught to each of these types of learners. Technology gives the teacher the power to present a lesson in a multitude of ways so that every single student in the classroom can understand. Even better, technology can give students the opportunity to learn at their own pace. When students can learn and do not feel pressured because the rest of the class understands something that they do not, then the student can focus on learning the lesson at hand. Without these pressures, students will not feel embarrassed to ask questions or to further their research. Technology opens up the opportunity for every student to succeed.
Student-centered technology can bring a multitude of opportunities into the classroom that were not available for students or teachers in the past. “Essential Conditions: Student-Centered Learning” suggests that technology “allows for an unprecedented level of personalized learning, with valuable opportunities to monitor progress and engagement, follow student thinking, and digitally assess competencies” (“Essential Conditions: Student-Centered Learning”, 2015). Student-centered technology brings opportunities to students and teachers alike. Students can learn more efficiently with this technology in the classroom. When students can learn more efficiently, then teachers can spend more time focusing on struggling students instead of struggling with teaching different learners the same way.
References
Essential Conditions. (2015). Retrieved November 8, 2015, from
http://www.iste.org/standards/essential-conditions/student-centered-learning

Ray, B. (2010, June 27). Report from EduBloggerCon at ISTE10: Trends and Tools. Retrieved
November 8, 2015, from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/iste-education-trends-technology

Saxena, S. (2013, November 6). Using Technology to Create Student-Centered Learning
Environment. Retrieved November 8, 2015, from http://edtechreview.in/trends-
insights/insights/743-using-technology-for-student-centered-learning-environment

Objective: You will be able to compare the character development between Katniss and the main character of another novel you have previously read.

Role: a student

Audience: your friends in another English class

Format: informative and comparative discussion

Topic: compare Katniss’ character development with the character development of another main character in a novel you have read in school

Resources:
How to Create a Venn Diagram in PowerPoint
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Create-a-Venn-diagram-e3c0f18e-2ac5-460d-81f5-280e9d50b1c2
Hunger Games PDF in full

Click to access suzanna-kollinz-acliq-oyunlari-1-hisse-eng.pdf

Assessment:
You will receive up to 50 points for a Venn Diagram comparing the two characters’ developments and your overall presentation in front of the class.

As always, please send me an email or give me a call if you have any questions.

Ms. O

Objective: You will be able to look at Katniss’ character development and relate it to the character development you or your peers may also go through at this age.

Role: a high school English teacher

Audience: the school board

Format: persuasive speech

Topic: Describe how Katniss’ character development is inspiring and relatable to your students and why this book should be included in the curriculum.

Directions:
1. Write down moments when Katniss spoke or acted in a way that reminded you of something you or your peers would do at this age.
2. Make a Prezi of these moments in the book and compare them to moments in your life
3. Prepare note cards and a presentation to present in the front of the class.

Resources:
Hunger Games PDF in full

Click to access suzanna-kollinz-acliq-oyunlari-1-hisse-eng.pdf

Prezi
https://prezi.com/

Assessment:
Prepare a 10 slide Prezi relating Katniss’ actions/thoughts/feelings to your actions/thoughts/feelings today.
You will receive up to 60 points for a written comparison, a Prezi, and your overall presentation in front of the class.

As always, please give me a call or send me an email if you have any questions.

Ms. O

Objective: You will be able to analyze Katniss’ character development and back up your thoughts with quotes and examples from the novel.

Role: The author, Suzanne Collins

Audience: A group of fans at a book reading

Format: Informative Analysis

Topic: Explain to readers of the book the progression and character development of Katniss throughout the first book of the trilogy.

Directions:
1. Take notes about Katniss’ character throughout each chapter of the Hunger Games and summarize her progression or lack thereof from the beginning to end.
2. Make an outline of the most influential moments in the book and how they impacted her character.
3. Type out a speech in full with your points.
4. Reread and recite your analysis until you are comfortable with your work.
5. Video tape yourself reciting the analysis and post a video to YouTube
6. Send a link of your analysis to me in an email.

Resources:
Websites to visit:
Hunger Games Important Quotations Explained
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/the-hunger-games/quotes.html
Hunger Games PDF in full

Click to access suzanna-kollinz-acliq-oyunlari-1-hisse-eng.pdf

Assessment:
Prepare a 3 minute analysis of Katniss’ character development and include quotes to back up your points.
You will receive up to 40 points for a written script and a YouTube video

If you have any questions on this assignment, please call me or send me an email.

Ms. O

Here is the lesson that I presented in class on Wednesday.

If you need to read the slides at your own pace, I have included a PDF of the presentation.

How To Write a Research Paper

As always, you may email me or call me with any questions that you may have.

See you in class,

Ms. O

Technology can be used in a multitude of ways in the classroom. Teachers can use technology to help enhance their lessons, track students’ progress, and even grade assignments. While this does has its benefits for both the teachers and the students, there could be cons to these new advances as well. When using technology, teachers can ensure that their students understand their lesson. Teachers can use PowerPoints to portray their lessons in an exciting or interesting way. This can keep students focused and interested in what they are learning, therefore making it easier for them to comprehend the lesson. An article on the National Math + Science Initiative website suggests, “When technology is integrated into school lessons, learners are more likely to be interested in, focused on, and excited about the subjects they are studying. Subjects that might be monotonous for some – like math and science – can be much more engaging with virtual lessons, tutoring, and the streaming of educational videos” (Huneycutt, 2013). Teachers can also use online websites or software to test students and track their progress. If teachers can use online games that relate to their lessons, then students can work at their own pace and teachers can observe the results. This can benefit both the students and the teachers. With this new technology, the students that need help but do not ask for it can get the attention that they need form their teacher. Despite all of the pros of using technology in the classroom, there are possible disadvantages. If teachers depend too solely on technology to do their jobs, then students will suffer. While using technology to enhance lessons is helpful, technology should not teach the lesson itself. Technology should not replace the interaction that teachers have with their students. The one on one interaction that teachers supply for students is crucial in the learning process. Technology can also be incredibly distracting to students. If students do not have set boundaries when exploring the internet for an assignment, then they may end up on social media or doing unrelated things that waste time and do not benefit their learning. “6 Pros and Cons of Technology in Your Classroom” by Jean Montano suggests, “Identify specific projects, times during class, and the specific intentions you have for allowing the use of technology in the classroom” (Montano, 2015).
In the past, classrooms were filled with older technology. Classes used desktop computers in the corner with headphones. Teachers used landline phones and pagers to communicate with each other. In order to present a lesson on the board, teachers rolled in a large projector with a light bulb that went out every other week. Technology was not as efficient as it is today. Even though the technology that was available at the time allowed advances, but nothing like today. Today, students can sit at their desks and all use tablets as the teacher goes over a lesson. This allows them to read along with the presentation and go at their own level. Teachers can email or instant message each other with updates about meetings within seconds. Lessons can be presented on PowerPoint and shared between classes in after school hours. Technology is constantly growing. With the new advances of today arriving in classrooms tomorrow, no one can anticipate how classrooms will be improving.

References

 

Huneycutt, T. (2013, October 8). Technology in the Classroom: The Benefits of

Blended Learning. Retrieved October 16, 2015, from http://www.nms.org

/Blog/TabId/58/PostId/188/technology-in-the-classroom-the-benefits-of-b

 

 

Montano, J. (2015, March 6). The 6 Pros & Cons of Using Technology in Your

Classroom – Top Hat Blog. Retrieved October 15, 2015, from

http://blog.tophat.com/6-pros-cons-using-technology-classroom/

In my first year of teaching, my class will be introduced to a multitude of different technologies to communicate with engaged groups in the educational community. I will have a school website like this to present basic information and reminders for my students and their parents. This website will have a yearly calendar as well as my contact information so that parents and students can be informed. However, I will gear this website more towards parents. This website will have an overview of the assignments over the year and units that we will be focused on. This will not have every single assignment posted, but it will have the novels that we will read and the major unit assessments and essays. If parents have an easier way to stay connected with their child’s learning, then their child can benefit from this. An article on education.com reveals “junior high and high school students whose parents remain involved usually make better transitions and are less likely to drop out of school” (Olsen and Fuller, 2010). If my website can improve parental involvement and help my students at the same time, then I will have done my job correctly. I want to make it easier for parents and students to be on the same page when it comes to assignments and lessons.
I also want to have a student website. This website, such as Edmodo, will be used to keep communication flowing between student and teacher. I really like the idea of the “Facebook” like website. I want an environment in which I can post discussion questions and links to articles that relate to our lessons in class and students can post their own findings as well. I think it will be interesting to the students if they can post links themselves onto the page and have their peers comment on what they found. This way, more students are involved in the conversation and the original student can have credit for the extra research that they did. “The 10 Best and Worst Ways Social Media Impacts Education” by Jeff Dunn suggests “Social networking has increased the rate and quality of collaboration for students” (Dunn, 2011). With a social media outlet that is geared towards education, students will be able to benefit more than if they were to spend this time on a website such as Facebook. With assignments on this website, students will learn to work together in different atmospheres. When I was in school we had group projects, but most of these were poster boards. With social media, students can get creative using PowerPoint and other internet sources to work together and create a more detailed project.
I will also set up my students as e-pals with other students from around the world. I think that introducing my students to a global environment would be incredibly important. I think that if I can get my students to be a part of a program in which they email people their age from a different community would greatly impact them and their pen pals. My students will be able to learn about another world from someone who looks that the world in a similar manner that they do. They will also be able to teach their pal about their lifestyles. This may also give them a new perspective about their own world. “Pen Pals in the 21st Century” is an article written by Lisa Mims. Mims is a real teacher who wrote about her experience with pen pals. She wrote, “My students know that not only is someone actually going to read their letter, but also respond to it. This encourages students to write with meaning, to write with a sense of purpose” (Mims, 2013). Pen pals can not only benefit my students socially, but it will benefit their writing skills over time as well.
With all of these areas of technology being used in the classroom, I will have to keep strict restrictions. I will have to be able to monitor and approve every post on the student website as well as the emails between students. In the beginning of the year I will present my regulations and requirements for a safe online environment to all of my students in a PowerPoint presentation that will be accessible throughout the year. I will emphasize on creating a safe environment for all students. I will make sure that my students know that cyber bullying of any kind will not be allowed whatsoever. If I find that any of my students break the rules or are inappropriate, they will lose their privileges and have to face consequences based on their actions.

References

Dunn, J. (2011, July 11). The 10 Best and Worst Ways Social Media Impacts Education.
Retrieved October 5, 2015, from http://www.edudemic.com/social-media-education/

Mims, L. (2013, November 6). Pen Pals in the 21st Century. Retrieved October 3, 2015, from
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/pen-pals-in-21st-century-lisa-mims

Olsen, G., & Fuller, M. (2010, July 20). The Benefits of Parent Involvement: What Research Has to Say.
Retrieved October 3, 2015, from http://www.education.com/reference/article/benefits-parent-involvement-research/