Collaborative Lesson Plan Using Technology to Impact Student Achievement

Part 1. The Collaborative Lesson Plan
Subject Area:        Language Arts  
Grade Level:          7

Lesson Goals
Students will seek meaningful, coherent representations of knowledge.  This lesson is designed, implemented and engage students to improve learning experiences.  It is also designed to enrich professional practice.

1.   Strand:                       Reading Process
2.   Standard:                 Reading Comprehension
3.   Benchmark:            LA.7.1.7.3
4.   Benchmark Description:    The student will determine the main idea or essential message in grade-level or higher texts through inferring, paraphrasing, summarizing, and identifying relevant details.

Students will genuinely care more about the environment by analyzing and applying learned knowledge.

1.   Strand:                       Literary Analysis
2.   Standard:                Nonfiction
3.   Benchmark:            LA.7.2.2.1
4.   Benchmark Description:    The student will locate, use, and analyze specific information from organizational text features (e.g., table of contents, headings, captions, bold print, italics, glossaries, indices, key/guide words).

Students will share information about the environment in which they have learned with others.

1.   Strand:                       Information and Media Literacy
2.   Standard:                 Reading Process
3.   Benchmark:            LA.7.6.2.2
4.   Benchmark Description:    The student will assess organize and check the validity and reliability of information in text, using a variety of techniques by examining several sources of     information, including both primary and secondary sources.

1.   Strand:                       Communication
2.   Standard:                 Listening and Speaking
3.   Benchmark:            LA.7.5.2.1
4.   Benchmark Description:    The student will use effective listening strategies for informal and formal discussions, connecting to and building on the ideas of a previous speaker and respecting the viewpoints of others when identifying bias or faulty logic.

1.   Strand:                      Communication
2.   Standard:                 Listening and Speaking
3.   Benchmark:           LA.7.5.2.3
4.   Benchmark Description:    The student will organize and effectively deliver speeches to entertain, inform and persuade, demonstrating appropriate language choices, body language, eye contact, gestures, and the use of supporting graphics and technology.

Objectives:
1.    Students will investigate the causes of, impact and solutions for, a serious environmental     problem like the BP Oil Spill on the Internet.
2.    Students will use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of Internet sources.
3.    Students will use technology tools to research data and report results.

A. Instructional Standard
The instructor will apply technology to develop students’ skills and creativity.  The following are learning and performance strategies in which consistently evoke higher order skills, based on instructional standards:
1.   Students will be encouraged to consider alternative explanations as means of evaluating
and follow-through on evaluations.
2.   The Question-Answer Relationships (QARs) technique teaches children to label
the type of questions being asked and then to use this information to assist them in
formulating the answers. Two major categories of question-answer relationships are
taught: (1) whether the answer can be found in the text — “In the Book” questions, or (2)
whether the reader must rely on his or her own knowledge — “In My Head” questions.
3.   Students will be encouraged to make a visual representation of what they are learning.
4.   Students will engage in conceptual mapping by means of drawing diagrams of the
concept and its crucial features as well as its relationships to other concepts.  Graphic
Organizers, iPads and computers will also be employed during this time.
5.   Students will practice their oral language, listening and writing skills in an effort to cooperatively learn together.  Practice amongst group members will help students to better develop their speaking, listening and writing skills.
6.    Students will explore real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools
and resources.

B.   Planning:
1.   Each group will be provided with an informational passage with regards to the BP Oil spill.
2.   Each group member will be given a specific job to complete in order to answer the essential question effectively and cohesively.  However, all students will be participating in the completion of all tasks.

a.   Presenter – This student will need to review the information to ensure he/she can confidently present their groups findings to the class in a 2 minute presentation.
b.   Researcher – This student will need to do research on the Internet
c.   Writer – Working with other group members, this student must analyze, synthesize and evaluate the information found on search engines in an effort to cohesively write a 2 page report.
d.   Creative Engineer – This person will work with other group members
to construct a PowerPoint presentation with information denoted in the 2
page report.

2.   What can you do to help your environment?

a.   Learning Outcome
1.   Students will analyze this question in groups in an effort to come up with ways in which people can help their environment.
2.   Students will work together as a team in order to engage in cooperative learning.
3.   Students will rotate roles for this activity.

b.   Planning:
1.    In groups, students will create a clever slogan in an effort to persuade others to help the environment.
2.   Materials – Students will have access to the following:
a. Computer workstations/iPads with Internet access
b. Bookmark for websites
c. Graphic Organizers
d. Internet sites
e. You tube Videos
f. Promethean Board
g. Microsoft programs/PowerPoint
h. Pencil/Pens
i. Writing paper

Websites:

http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-bp-oil-spill#

http://www.nwf.org/What-We-Do/Protect-Habitat/Gulf-Restoration/Oil-Spill/Effects-on-Wildlife.aspx

http://www.whitehouse.gov/deepwater-bp-oil-spill

http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,2006455,00.html

Videos:

3.   What are the effects of environmental catastrophes as it pertains to society?
a.   Learning Outcome
1.   Students will analyze this question in groups in an effort to come up with several ways in which environmental catastrophes effect the environment.
2.   Students will work together as a team in order to engage in cooperative
learning.
3.   Students will rotate roles for this activity.
b.   Planning:
1.   Students will have time in the Student Center/Media Center to use different search engines in order to create talking points for a classroom discussion.
2.   Each group will be responsible for introducing a new topic point.

Learner Characteristics
As mentioned previously, each student will have an opportunity to play each role in an effort to ensure students experience each task entirely.  The instructor will customize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, strategies, and abilities to use digital tools and resources.  The instructor will rotate roles from lead instructor while students are in whole group.  The instructor will then rotate to the role of facilitator in order to facilitate the cooperative learning process amongst each group.  Within this task, the instructor will be fully engaged in the coaching process of each student task and help to mentor or guide the students in a better direction as it pertains to synthesizing the information provided.  Students with specific needs or who are culturally and or linguistically diverse will be provided with the following strategies to foster academic growth:
1.     The instructor will make the information more relevant to the student.
2.   The instructor will build on students’ strengths.
3.   The instructor will continuously build on students’ abilities to make connections with the lessons.
4.   The instructor will model and promote digital etiquette and responsible social behavior between students with the use of technology.

Instructional Materials, Methods and Technology
Graphic Organizers and Visuals
Students will use original graphic organizers to help facilitate the thinking process.  Students will be encouraged to “think outside of the box” and create their own graphic organizers.  Students will also be provided with media from the internet by means of search engines.

Student Centers: Computer stations/iPad stations
Floor plan of learning environment:
Networked Computers will be available for each student in the 7th grade class.  Additional computers in the Computer lab will also be available for any student who needs. The teacher will have a computer at her desk in the front of the room with a projector and Promethean Board.  Students will sit 4 to a desk at a round table with a computer stationed in front of each chair.  Adjustments will be made during lessons for individual or group activities.  Access to the Internet will be available to the 7th grade students with the acceptable use of the Internet policy.

The diverse needs of all learners will be addressed by using learner-centered strategies and providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.  A teacher lead station will be created with whole group discussions.  Students will be provided with individual tablets in order to participate and respond to the lesson projected on the Promethean board.  The next student center will be the computer station.  This station will allow students to research information in relation to the subject focus.  Students will be provided with the opportunity to explore several computer-based activities in relation to the assignment.  There will also be an iPad station.  This station will allow students to practice reading fluency while discovering interesting facts about the concepts being taught.

Students will be provided with the opportunity to create a PowerPoint presentation in order to properly present their information and findings to the class.  Students will be provided with time and a brief tutorial on how to create PowerPoint slides in the computer lab.  The classroom projector (Promethean Board) will be used in order for students to view each group’s PowerPoint presentation in the classroom.

Informational/Expository Passage about the Environment
Students will be provided with an expository passage in which denotes to current state of the environment.  Several facts, statistics and hypothetical questions will be presented in this text.  The text will be grade level text.

Use of Materials, Methods and Technology
All of the materials, methods and technologies will be frequently employed in an effort to expand the 7th grade students’ thinking abilities evident in the group activities.  Each student will be guided and provided with an opportunity to evaluate diverse points of views by means of participating in each group role and participating in group activities.  All students will expose to all materials, methods of learning and technologies in an effort to ensure students’ have an explicit learning experience with the lesson. Instructors will facilitate the use of technology for students to communicate and collaborate in groups in order to nurture student learning and increase performance as it regards to effectiveness and/or efficiency.

Part 2. Description of Planning

Rationale

The environment is an important element in today’s society for all cultures.  The purpose of this lesson is to provide students with current information as it pertains to the environment in an effort to become more conscientious about the environment surrounding them.  The learning goals were carefully crafted to ensure students first developed a hunger for seeking meaningful, coherent representations of knowledge secondly genuinely cared more about the environment by analyzing and applying learned knowledge and ultimately shared information about the environment which they have learned.

The instructional standards were identified in order to be aligned with the learning goals of the lesson.  The strands, standards and benchmarks mentioned above specifically targeted skills in which students could be successful with regards to the learning outcomes and goals.  The instructor will plan strategies to manage student learning in a technology enhanced environment.

The learner characteristics were crafted to ensure all students were provided with an equal opportunity to practice literacy skills.  The instructional materials, methods and technologies were produced and employed in order to ensure students were exposed to every possible facet in order acquire a complete understanding of the concept presented in class.  The instructors will facilitate technology enhanced experiences that address content and technology standards

Part 3. Work Sample
Below (see Figure 1-3) is the first three slides of sample group work on the Power Point presentation “Why should we care about the environment we live in?”

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Part 4. Conclusion
At the conclusion of the lesson, students will be assessed on their accuracy in research and group discussions.  Students will be assessed on how well their group collaborated together to investigated the causes of, and solutions for a serious environmental problem; also how well their groups used the Internet to research information to draw conclusions about the environment while employing the use of the technological devices.  Student will finally be assessed on accuracy, thoroughness, and design of their final group Power Point Presentation on the environment.  Instructors will then evaluate and reflect on the effective use of digital tools and resources used in the lesson to support of student learning.  Overall, instructors will manage students’ learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment to support the diverse needs of learners.

References
Florida Department of Education. (2010). (LA.7.1.7.8) . Retrieved April 23, 2013, from Florida Department of Education – Florida Standards: http://www.floridastandards.org/Standards/PublicPreviewBenchmark1150.aspx?kw=comprehension
University of South Florida – College of Education. (2009). ESOL Standards. Retrieved April 24, 2013 from College of Education – University of South Florida:  http://www.coedu.usf.edu/main/ESOL/ESOLStandards.html
Cpalms.org. (2013, April 22). Retrieved April 22, 2013, from Standards info and resources: http://www.cpalms.org/Standards/FLStandardSearch.aspx
Florida Department of Education. (2013, April 23). Bureau of curriculum and instruction. Retrieved April 23, 2013, from Florida Department of Education: http://www.fldoe.org/bii/curriculum/sss/
Florida Department of Education. (2013, April 23). Bureau of curriculum and instruction. Retrieved   April 23, 2013, from Florida Department of Education: http://www.cpalms.org/Standards/FLStandardSearch.aspx
Florida Department of Education. (2013, April 24). Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction . Retrieved April 24, 2013, from Florida Department of Education: http://www.cpalms.org/Standards/FLStandardSearch.aspx
Florida Department of Education. (2013, April 24). Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction . Retrieved April 24, 2013, from Florida Department of Education: http://www.cpalms.org/Standards/FLStandardSearch.aspx
Florida Department of Education. (2013, APRIL 29). Florida Teacher Standards for ESOL. Retrieved April 29, 2013, from Florida Teacher Standards for ESOL: http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/ad_frame.asp
The Florida Department of Education. (2013, April 29). Bureau of curriculum and instruction. Retrieved April 29, 2013, from The Florida Department of Education: http://www.fldoe.org/bii/

Individual Comprehensive Plan Incorporating Web 2.0 Tools

Summary of Plan

Purpose:

I am an Educator whose purpose in the 21^st Century of learning is to create a positive learning by incorporating technology and resources with Stakeholders and Partnering Companies.   This plan was created to motivate students to actively participate and cooperate in a positive and safe learning environment.  The purpose allows teachers, students and the community to interact and collaborate with each other both physical and virtual using Web 2.0 tools.  This site will allow me to share technology and Educational resources with other teachers, students, parents and the community.   I believe that this will be a great source and positive learning and cooperative learning environment for students to engage during the learning process.

Population:

The school is a public middle school nestled snuggled in a small community of middle class professionals in Coral Gables, Florida.  It offers an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program for eleven hundred students ranging in grades six through grade eight.  It services diverse families in this multi-cultural community of South Florida.  The school is a magnet school for technology.  The target audience are 7th grade Language Arts students between the ages of eleven and fourteen.  There are several bordering communities surrounding the location of the school that seemingly encompasses constituents from low socio-economic backgrounds.

This school serves many children with diverse backgrounds including Hispanic, Black, Asian, English Language Learner’s (ELL) and Students with Disabilities (SWD).  The particular students participating are Culturally Diverse students.  There are six boys and seven girls.  Five student participants are of Hispanic culture, four students are Black, two are ELL, one student is Asian and one student is classified as SWD.   Seventy-five percent of students read on grade level and twenty-five percent struggles with reading on grade level.  Presently, of the 357 students enrolled in the 7th grade, there are currently 38 White students, 45 Black students, 271 Hispanic students and 3 Asian students.

The Plan:

In keeping with the school and Common Core Standards, the plan focuses on high expectations for students while creating strong and focused instructional programs that motivate students to explore new ideas through technology.  Keeping in mind with the mission of the school, this plan will focus on the application of technology to provide an academically challenging and safe culturally diverse learning environment which fosters the development of strong character and intellect.  The learning environment prepared for students will enable all students to positively and actively contribute to an ever-changing, technological, global society.  Students will work on group projects collaboratively with each other through group discussion by bringing their own creativity.  Students will also have the opportunity to work individually accessing information, exploring new concepts, manipulating data and creatively expressing ideas using various forms of technology available to them.

Student Behavior:

All students will behave in a manner that is socially acceptable and conducive to the learning and teaching process.  Any student whose behavior disrupts this process or that infringes upon the rights of other individuals will not be tolerated.  Students and parents will receive a copy of the Code of Student Conduct and classroom rules that details the maintenance of appropriate student behavior.  The specific consequences are as follows:

1.    Parent/guardian contact
2.    Reprimand
3.    Student, parents/guardians/staff conference
4.    Peer mediation
5.    Revocation of the right to participate in social and/or extracurricular activities
6.    Confiscation of wireless communication devices
7.    Detention
8.    Temporary assignment from class where the infraction occurred
9.    Participation in an informal counseling session related to the infraction
10.  Refer to outside agency/provider
11.  Behavior Plan

There is a zero tolerance policy toward school related violent crime.

The Code of Student Conduct also has a model student behavior policy that creates a safe learning environment and reduces disruption of the educational process.  This includes citizenship, honesty, kindness, respect, responsibility and the pursuit of excellence.  Students are recognized and appreciated for positive behavior with rewards.

Award of Excellence

Other rewards for model student behavior:

Trophy/Ribbon/Plaque/Medals
Time for music and dancing
Extra computer time/game
Free time at the end of class
Class Field Trip
Fun walk with the principal or teacher
Note home to parents
Appointed the class messenger
Taking care of the class pet
Eating with the teacher
Selecting prizes from a treasure box
Stars, smiley faces or stickers
Extra recess
Leading of class line to lunch or recess
Student of the month and display photograph

In school contact for behavioral issues:

Teachers are aware of the school’s policy in regard to behavioral issues and discipline matters. The administrators will determine the necessary corrective actions after submitting a referral.  Parents are advised at the beginning of the school year to contact administrators if there are any concerns regarding discipline issues.

Elements for Safety:

At the beginning of the school year students and parents are given a handbook which details the elements of safety.  Parents are notified if a student is injured immediately and the incident is documented and reported to the school’s district.

Since Florida is located in a Hurricane zone, a severe weather drill is conducted twice yearly.  Fire drills are also conducted on a regular basis.  These drills are to ensure all students know how to respond in case of a fire or hurricane.  Evacuation routes are indicated in each class close to exits.  Administrators and teachers will account for all students present in class on the day of the drill with a pre-organized system.  Parents, the community and stakeholders are also advised of the elements of safety via the school’s website.

Time Management:

The classroom will be designed to create a safe atmosphere in which students to learn through technology by listening, asking questions, responding to lessons and participating in activities. Class time will be one hour every other day, beginning on Mondays.  Effective time management will be utilized to optimize learning opportunities.  Students will be in a safe and comfortable environment that promotes learning.  Activities will be organized and planned ahead to ensure pacing is appropriate.  Engaging students in daily classroom activities and lessons effectively with time management is the key to maintaining instructional focus.

Teachers use the online grade-book to input grades.  This management tool also is used to keep track of students’ grades, behaviors, disabilities, contact information and family information. Parents can use the website http://www.dadeschools.net by logging into the parent portal to receive up to date information on student’s attendance and grades. Students also have access to this site via student portal.

Data Collection:

The Student Response System will be used in the classroom to manage and collect data.  This can be used in conjunction with an online management program that tracks attendance, grades, performance and assessments.  Teachers will use emails to keep parents abreast of students’ progress.  A teacher’s blog site will also be provided to students and parents to be informed of daily activities and weekly lessons.  This system will be used to track behavior and monitor students’ progress.

Floor plan of learning environment:

The floor plan will be set up to be conducive to individual or group learning.

Networked Computers will be available for each student in the 7th grade class.  Additional computers in the Computer lab will also be available for any student who needs. The teacher will have a computer at her desk in the front of the room with a projector and Promethean Board.  Students will sit 4 to a desk at a round table with a computer stationed in front of each chair.  Adjustments will be made during lessons for individual or group activities.  Access to the Internet will be available to the 7th grade students with the acceptable use of the Internet policy.

Materials

The following materials will support and improve the learning environment:

Computers

iPads/Tablets

Projector

Promethean Board/Smart Board

Pencils, Paper

Flash-drives

Referral Forms

School Calendar

Parental Involvement

Self-Reflection/Short and Long Term Goals:

Now that the plan is in place, implementation begins.  As I look back at my plan and reflect, I anticipate changes to improve the overall learning environment after implementation.  Using time management to approach daily instruction is imperative.  Assessments at the beginning and end of the school year will reveal strides made with this plan.  Results should prove that lesson plans and instructional methods for all students including those with disabilities are beneficial.

Adjusting lesson plans and instructional methods to fit different learning styles of the learners will be made.  Long term goals will include using assessment data to structure lesson plans and differentiate instruction.  Professionally, I anticipate collaborating with colleagues, sharing and gaining more knowledge of Web 2.0 tools for instruction.  Professional development will be mandated to keep abreast of advanced technology.  This plan includes the goals and policies of the district and school that will create positive learning environments.

 

Video of What is Web 2.0

ALL ABOUT ME

ALL ABOUT ME 

Click the above link to see more about me which includes a Resume.

The above site was created, edited and published by me.  I am on a new journey in life while changing profession from Criminal Justice to Education.  The above link takes you to The World I Live In.

BYOD – BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE TO CLASS

BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE TO CLASS

Attention students:

In keeping up with the 21st Century learning environment, I will be experimenting with technology in our classroom for the entire week of April 15, 2013.  All students are encouraged to bring a technology device of their choice to class.  These devices can include: iPhones, cell phones, iPads, tablets of various kinds, computers, Netbooks, iPods, e-readers, MP3 players and even PDAs. For students who do not have access to your own device, one will be provided to you.

—BYOD Purpose:

—Students will become creative thinkers and constructing better knowledge.

—Students will interact and collaborate with peers

—Students will develop effective communication skills

—Students will develop cultural and global awareness

—Students will develop better problem solving skills

—Students will become Critical Thinkers and Decision Makers

—Students will be better prepared for the outside world

BYOD Benefits:

—Students will be engaged in the learning experience

—Students will take notes easier

—Increased Communication with Students and Teachers

—Improved participation & Collaboration in Groups

—Increased reading activities

—Makes home learning easier

—As your teacher, I will play the role of facilitator, letting you lead their own learning

—

In summary, mobile learning technologies will offer my class an engaging and flexible approach to learning.

See below videos:

Computers in the Classroom Enhances Instruction

Computers in My Classroom

I would like to incorporate computers into my classroom for all students to be able to use on a daily basis.  Since many of us have computers in our homes.  Our children use those computers while away from home on a  regular basis.  So why not insure that  computers are used daily to deliver and enhance instruction in the classroom.  Computers come in various forms such as desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablets, iPads and personal digital assistants.  I would love to see all students in my classroom become technologically more advanced with the use of different types of computers in the classroom.   To foster growth in my classroom,  I would use computers as cognitive tools to enhance instruction.

Computers will be used to provide motivation in the classroom.  I will use instructional strategies via computers on a daily basis.  I hope that these computers will help improve students’ achievement in Language Arts.  With the use of computers, I hope to get an opportunity to learn about all the needs of students and communicate with them more effectively.  Students in my classroom would their intellectual resources coupled with instructional activities to create a better learning environment.  I am ready to interact and have a positive influence with each of you.  With the use of computers in my classroom, all students will be able to acquire information from remote sources and to share their information with other students beyond the immediate classroom.  I hope all students will be able to learn from each other via email, text or chat while using computers to share information.

My classrooms will be rich in technology encouraging all students to participate in learning process.  I believe that computers are important in contributing to effective learning time for students. It will help me teach content skills.  Students will acquire information and practice skills relating to weekly lessons.  Computer based instructional strategies help students in my classroom develop higher order skills.  Providing differentiated instruction in my classroom will be made easier with the use of computers.
Computers in the classroom will assist me  to management tasks more efficiently, thus allowing ease of instruction and active learning.  Students in my classroom will have a number of opportunities to seek information and apply that information to solve problems.  Since some students learn best with the hands on approach, these computers will provide a wide variety of challenges to enhance their knowledge.

I’m excited about using educational applications like Google to get students to collaborate with each other. I will be using computerized based lessons to transform hard to understand instructions into visually engaging activities for all students.  Students will be easier to instruct for a greater understanding while keeping them engaged in lessons.  I will provide  an unlimited amount of resources with the use of computers in the classroom for hands on approach to learning things never imagined before.

In Summary, for this new school year, I will use computers to deliver and enhance instruction in the classroom on a daily basis.  I will be providing individualized instruction to all students while giving instructional opportunities needed to foster growth in education.  All lessons will give students an opportunity for more personalized instruction that lends to the most efficient use of learning in my classroom.

Videos

VISUAL AIDS IN THE CLASSROOM

VISUALS IN MY CLASSROOM

 

Visual images are visual representation of the knowledge that students acquire.  I will use visual aids in my classroom to enhance learning.  These aids will be used to help me teach written and oral information with oral and graphical representation.   Since many students are visual learners, visuals are extremely important in the classroom.  Students learning styles are different and they can interact with varied learning experiences. Visual aids will help me and students organize information.

I will also use visuals to help my students bring education into realistic experiences.  To help students understand complex ideas, I use different types of visuals in the classroom.  Visuals such as educational posters, graphic organizers, overhead projectors, charts, graphs, pictures, maps, power point presentations and models to support learning in the classroom.  I plan on having visuals that are well-organized so that lessons can be effective in my classroom.  Students will be able to relate and retain information more efficiently.   Be prepared to work in groups to develop visual images and express your ideas creating and using graphic organizers.

I find when students engage in the classroom it contributes substantially to learning.  When I include visual modes in teaching practices it impacts how students think about themselves as learners and scholars.  Visuals help students to cultivate habits of feeling and relating with others.  I find that students who use visual images as a part of learning discover new concepts and strategies that enhance their knowledge and have a better understanding of the world.

I will use graphic organizers to help students with reading comprehension and learning disabilities to construct meaning.   Graphic organizers are a pictorial way of organizing information and constructing knowledge.  Using graphic organizers to enhance instruction in the classroom for all subjects will help students to understand what they are learning independently or with a group activity. Graphic organizers come in various shapes, colors and formats from a chart to a diagram.  They will be used to structure writing projects that help in brainstorming, problem solving and making decisions in my classroom.  The graphic organizers I plan on using will display and convey information that is simple to understand especially for all students at different developmental levels.

I will also use story maps and mnemonic illustrations which are graphic organizers to assist all students in acquiring content information.  I will use story maps to improve reading comprehension and organize teaching and learning.  It will help students to retain and recall information with better comprehension.   I believe that visuals are an important part of learning in the classroom because it gives students an opportunity to learn how to think creatively. Visuals encourage students to write better.  It also enhances discussions while working in groups, thus a better understanding of the subject matter.

Think back to when you were a child and started reading a book.  Most books for young children have lots of pictures or images that tell a story.  Since most students comprehend better reading a story and viewing pictures, visuals are such an important part of learning.  It gives a clearer understanding of the subject matter.

Overall, I believe that visuals will be able to enhance instruction in the classroom.  Visuals aids in my classroom will create an interactive learning experience for students on all levels.  In today’s society of new technologies, students are visually stimulated by the use of computers, iPads, smart phones, video games, smart boards, Promethean, or white boards. etc.  I challenge my students to solve problems  and think critically through visuals.  Finally, I believe that visuals are important in the classroom because it promotes students to be expressive and creative while learning.

Recommended Links:

Interactive Graphic Organizers

Graphic Organizers

Graphic Organizers from Eduplace

Recommended Videos:

Introducing New Technology Into The Classroom

iPads

A new technology plan is needed at my school to service diverse families in this multi-cultural community of Florida.  My 7th grade Language Arts students are between the ages of eleven and fourteen.  Some are English Language Learners (ELL) and Students with disabilities (SWD) who can benefit from assistive technologies.  The students are culturally diverse students.  75% of the students read on grade level and 25% of the students struggle with reading on grade level.  These students will benefit from the use of iPads or tablets in my classroom.

Introducing iPads into my classroom can provide multiple advantages in addition to what I am already using.  An iPad is a portable computer with a touch screen, or is known as a hand-held computer.  It has all the capabilities as a computer and a camera for face time with each other or photo sharing.  iPads will provide collaboration between students for active learning.  These tablets can be projected onto an interactive projector via wireless capabilities.  My students can improve their typing skills amongst other things.

My 7th grade students will be able to read books, create a Google group account via the Internet; create, record and edit audio files using tablets; navigate the Internet; create virtual flashcards to utilize; create, edit, and save digital video technology such as computer based files and DVDs; and create blogs on the Internet.   iPads are lightweight and mobile with software of significant benefits for diverse learners and students with special needs.  These software applications can address special needs issues dealing with fine motor skills and other cognitive challenges for which traditional computers are ineffective. iPads can be customized to each student needs and gives them a sense of achievement.

iPads would definitely offer relative advantages in my classroom.  Utilizing iPads in my classroom can assist with me various teaching styles.  Instead of lecturing, these tablets can provide visuals for my students while reading and writing.   My students will be engaged and encourage to participate in class.  Home learning will be easier to submit to me thus, eliminating the need for me to physically grade papers by using the pen technology feature on the iPad.  These iPads are equipped with all the functions of a PC making the technology integration an easier one.  The interactive feature of an iPad provides assistive technology that will enable my 7th grade students with impairments or disabilities to perform difficult or impossible tasks.

The use of iPads in my classroom will be a tool to assist me with instruction once purchased and made available to my 7^th grade class for the upcoming school year.  There is a plethora of educational information found in the Internet to be accessed with the use of iPads.  Through the use of iPads, my students will be able to increase problem solving skills and gain new information in content area.  Other teachers can also benefit with the use of iPads in their classrooms.

Teachers can use the below Instructional Resources to assist with classroom management:

 

Tablets in the Classroom

Apple Education

The iPad & Mini iPad

The following videos are very informative guide for the use of iPads in the classroom.

 

Videos

iPads In The Classroom

Apple Education Learning With iPads

Apple TV and iPads in the Classroom

Our Environment

 LESSON – GLOBAL WARMING

Date: April 1, 2013

Today’s lesson will be on the Environment.

All students in my 7th grade class class will answer the following question in a report due in one week: How can you contribute to the environment to make the world a better place to live in?  Students can use information found in this blog to assist with this lesson.

At the end of this lesson, students will become more involved with taking care of the environment on a daily basis. Students will develop a better understanding of how to take care of their environment.  Students will learn how to practically apply their knowledge of taking care of the environment to stop global warming.

Since home learning takes place in the home of each student, parents are encouraged to become a part of their children’s learning experience.  The community we live in is a vital part of our daily survival.  Learning about the community you live in is a great way to start becoming involved with your environment.  This blog will educate not only my 7th grade students, but parents and the community about our environment.

Students can use this blog to become more aware of their environment by navigating the websites and Videos provided below to learn:

Global Warming

Climate Change

Global Climate Change

Making a Kinder World

Global Warming – An Understanding For Kids

 Air Pollution

The Polar Bear and its shrinking Habitat

 Forest Fire

Marine dead zones caused by Global Warming

 Dust Storm

  When centuries old chunks of ice start melting in the Arctic

 Air Pollution

 When centuries old chunks of ice start melting in the Arctic

Vanishing Glaciers

Global Warming Videos

Top 10 Ways Children Can Help Stop Global Warming

Going Green: Super News

Go Green Campaign

10 ways to “GO GREEN”

Student Response Systems

CLICKERS

My school is located in the Miami-Dade County School District.  It serves students in grades six through eight with diverse backgrounds.  This school is impressive with their curriculum of the International Baccalaureate, (IB) Middle Years Program.  This program serves the high achieving students of which more than seventy-five percent of the students score at or above mastery in reading, mathematics and science.  The school also has a regular population of classes for the remaining students.

The staff at my school provides high quality service the students, parents and the community.  With a student population of 1175 students, the teacher student ratio is sixteen to one.  Approximately seventy-five percent of the students are Hispanics, sixteen percent black, eight percent white and two percent other.  There are also English language learners and students with disabilities.  To continue with providing students and opportunity to excel and keep up with 21st Century technology, my school will benefit from the use of Student Response Systems.

The focus at my school is on curriculum with technological instructional programs to motivate students to explore new ideas.  We are dedicated to maintaining the highest academic standards through creative educational strategies with the use of technology.   Our Students have the opportunity to grow academically and personally as they’re faced with important challenges in today’s society.  I have high expectations for all of my students.   The current practices at my school can be enhanced with the use of Student Response Systems.  All students can benefit from employing the use of Clickers as it is increasingly more interactive for them.

I can create technology based assessments with the use of clickers for daily lessons.  Teachers can also increase students’ use of this technology by adding interactive web-based lessons with daily instruction.  Teachers can use the student response system to assess students’ comprehension through quizzes of daily lessons.  Teachers can also create teams for assessment challenges.

All teachers at my school can use the Student Response System as educational tools to gather real-time feedback from students in the classroom.  This wireless device system will engage teachers and students in classroom lessons.  Clickers allows students to respond to questions quickly and interactively.  The teacher poses questions to students who then use the clicker to respond to the correct answer.

There are many advantages to student response systems such as engaging students with lessons, documenting attendance and progress, monitor the progress of students, improve critical thinking skills and increase student achievement and knowledge retention.  The student response system is a great resource for media feedback for teachers and students.  The system also gives students surveys and shows the results immediately.

I will use various strategies to enhance learning in my classroom with the student response system.  Prior to doing a lesson, I can prepare questions for students.  Having classroom discussions and debates among students will help me adjust the instruction for a better understanding of the concepts.  Another strategy I will employ is to do group assignments with peer assessments for feedback from students.  I will also gauge students’ difficulties by asking questions and checking for understanding of each lesson.  Using feedback after sharing students’ answers with the class will give students an opportunity rethink answers and I adjust to my instruction.            

I will be able to incorporate this technology as a learning aid into my classroom while reducing paperwork and labor.  Students will have a better understanding of concepts.  Differentiated instruction is made easier for me as I have many students who work at their own pace.  

Student Response System can easily assess student achievement.  The system can use assessment as a teaching tool while delivering content in the classroom.  It can also be used for differentiated instruction and preparing for standardized tests.  The system provides immediate formative and summative feedback in the classroom.  Learning is amplified and test scores increased with the use of the system. 

Assessing student achievement is very important to me.  Using the clickers in my classroom will give me the ability to assess students in real-time and have the instant access of how to improve their highest potential.   By obtaining students’ performance results immediately from assessments, my school and the district can track progress throughout the entire school year with the data obtained from the student response systems.  Overall,  student response systems captures assessment data in real-time to determine student comprehension allowing teachers to immediately identify student learning needs and modify the lesson as needed.  This system will be a great educational tool to use for all teachers.

Teachers can obtain further information from the below web sites and videos to inquire or purchase Clickers:
Turning Technologies
Smartroom Learning Solutions
Renaissance Learning

VIDEOS ON CLICKERS 

“Clickers” : Student Response System

Using Clickers in the Classroom

Turning Technologies: Student Response Systems