Journal Post 11

Focus Question: How can teachers use student participation systems as effective assessment methods?

                                                  Photo credit to: Universidad de Navarra

            Teachers can use student participation as effective assessment methods in several ways. For those who do not know what student participation systems are, another way to describe them is as classroom response systems, or personal response systems. These systems are handheld wireless tools that ease interactive learning options for both teachers and students. They are often referred to as clickers, normally the size of a small remote control, they have multiple buttons and can be used by the students to answer questions in the form of multiple choice, true or false, yes or no, numeric answer, and short answer. There are many reasons why student participation systems are becoming more and more popular. To begin with, they encourage active learning in classrooms. While teachers lead discussions, they can stop and post discussion question on the boards, and students can actively participate in the lesson by answering these questions. Another reason clickers are so successful in a classroom environment is that it facilitates student involvement. Students who may not normally participate in class because they are shy or embarrassed of giving the wrong answer. Teachers who use these assessment methods also get immediate feedback of their student’s knowledge on the particulate subject, due to the answers given. I believe this is a great tool for teachers to use. In my opinion the key to academic success lies in student engagement. Students are likely to pay attention during lessons and discussion if they know they are going to have to answer questions during this time. Students are also likely to participate without shying away. This allows the teacher to gain knowledge on which students understand the lesson, and which students do not.

Tech Tools: EduTools

                                                 Photo credit to: SCASL AASL Affiliate

            EduTools is a website sponsored by the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications. This website is used to provide reviews, consultations, and comparisons for teachers and other educators interested in using e-learning tools. The website also provides reviews of online college, advanced placement, and high school courses. Some e-portfolios that have been evaluated on EduTools include ANGEL e-portfolio, BB e-portfolio, e-folio, LiveText, and TaskStream. EduTools is a great site especially for teachers, it is very helpful for teachers to have a reliable site where they can go to get an evaluation of a site or tool they are looking into making a part of their lessons and planning.

Summary: Chapter 11

                                                          Photo credit to: timlewisnm
          This chapter focuses on engaging teachers and students in learning and self-reflection. The chapter first introduces ways in which teachers can evaluate students. Some of these ways include norm-referenced tests, criterion-referenced tests, standardized-based assessments, and performance-based assessments. However, students are not the only ones being evaluated, teachers are also evaluated. Another interesting topic that was discussed in this chapter was the use of digital portfolios for teacher. Teachers can create a digital portfolio of a collection of their work, as well as what the individual teacher know and is able to teach in a classroom. Online survey tools were also discussed in the chapter. These tools are often used to involve students in the decision of how material will be taught in the classroom. Lastlty, student participation systems were discussed. This was my favorite part of the chapter. I have used these wireless tools as a student in a classroom before, and I saw how it engaged students including myself, it encouraged us to actively participate in the classroom.

Journal Post 10

Focus Question:  What are differentiated instruction (DI) and universal design for learning (UDL)?

            Differentiated instruction and universal design for learning are frameworks that aid teachers in adjusting their curriculum to a more personalized way to meet each individual students needs. DI and UDL are often used in designing ways to meet the needs of students with special needs, gifted students, and English language learners. These techniques are designed to benefit every student by activating his or her unique potential. A common technique used in DI is grouping students based on students have similar learning styles. For example, one group will work with the teacher, another on computers, and the last one on a more hands on group exercise. At the end of the class, students from each different group will share what they learned with the rest of the class. This seems like a good way to achieve academic success. However my only concern would be that in life things will not always be presented in the way that the particular student learns best, and therefore it is important that each student practices different learning methods to aid in developing a better understanding of lessons presented in different styles. UDL encourages full participation and access for students with disabilities while also providing options for all other students. The main goal of UDL is to create teaching situation that benefit the widest range of students. Fore example, a teacher may go over vocab words aloud, and also have them on a PowerPoint behind her, so that a student with hearing disabilities can read the vocabulary words and definitions. Students who do not have hearing disabilities may also benefit from a PowerPoint, such as visual learners.

Tech Tool: Jim Martindale’s Calculators On-line Center

                                                    Photo credit to: Jake and Lisa Sherbert

The Jim Martindale’s Calculators On-line Center is a tech tool focused on middle and high school students. This website provides links to more than 22,00 calculation programs. These calculators usage range from regular calculators used for middle school math courses, to advanced high school math, and even to calculating the speed of a dinosaur or the capacities of an iPod. The layout and background of the website makes it clear that it is meant for older students. It is plain and not very colorful. It is an easy website to navigate. The calculators are organized in columns based on the subject they are useful for.

Summary: Chapter 10- Promoting Success for All Students through Technology

                                                  Photo credit to: Massachusetts Education

This chapter discusses ways in which educators can aid students into achieving academic success through using technology. The chapter begins by describing differentiated instruction and universal design for learning. These two ideas support that students benefit from a varied range of educational experiences that can target his or her own specific learning styles and talents. Next, universally designed classrooms are discussed. This involves changing the way the curriculum is enforced. The chapter discusses the ways in which assistive technologies can help the teacher reach every student’s academic needs. I strongly agree with everything this chapter has discussed. It is important that we consider every students needs. As long as the curriculum is being met, it is okay to experiment different ways of teaching in order to ensure that every student is being taught to his or her best advantage.