Transformation
The use of technology provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate self knowledge and integrity, which Grant Wiggins described in Understanding by Design as one of the six facets of understanding (www.ubdexchange.org). Students who utilize self-knowledge are aware of boundaries, boundaries of their own and others’ understanding, but also I feel, boundaries in the form of self-control. How do we learn? How do we remember? Students who create, explore, problem solve and are self-directed learners are gaining the 21st century skills imperative for success in the modern world (http://www.p21.org/index.php). When a student creates, they are learning by doing; which will increase their understanding and retention of material.
We are teaching children who need room to explore, but at the same time, show they can follow the rules. I want my students to make smart decisions. We can model and teach digital citizenship and I trust my students will then take the tools and soar. In terms of my content areas (Spanish and theatre) I want students to explore the greater world outside of the classroom walls. In addition, I would to provide learning opportunities which can have a greater focus on a variety of learning styles. How to assess students and what student success looks like in a classroom where iPods are utilized may seem difficult, but I find the answer quite simple. What students produce and their level of engagement is an effective answer. If my students are eager to listen to a podcast on learning Spanish or if their digital storybooks produced using an app capture their knowledge of sentence structure and vocabulary, as well demonstrating their collaboration, creativity, and editing skills, I know the learning experience has been meaningful. As for actual grades, students will produce work; which can be graded. Rubrics will be made to make sure a digital storybook, a speaking assignment, a photo project of Spanish in our neighborhoods, or a video of a student presentation of original Spanish poetry, can all be assessed. Plus, the display of student work will go beyond the walls of the school. A class website will gather this work and show the community and the world what students are doing in their content areas as well as how technology is making the activities even more meaningful and multifaceted, and thus increasing student understanding.
We are teaching children who need room to explore, but at the same time, show they can follow the rules. I want my students to make smart decisions. We can model and teach digital citizenship and I trust my students will then take the tools and soar. In terms of my content areas (Spanish and theatre) I want students to explore the greater world outside of the classroom walls. In addition, I would to provide learning opportunities which can have a greater focus on a variety of learning styles. How to assess students and what student success looks like in a classroom where iPods are utilized may seem difficult, but I find the answer quite simple. What students produce and their level of engagement is an effective answer. If my students are eager to listen to a podcast on learning Spanish or if their digital storybooks produced using an app capture their knowledge of sentence structure and vocabulary, as well demonstrating their collaboration, creativity, and editing skills, I know the learning experience has been meaningful. As for actual grades, students will produce work; which can be graded. Rubrics will be made to make sure a digital storybook, a speaking assignment, a photo project of Spanish in our neighborhoods, or a video of a student presentation of original Spanish poetry, can all be assessed. Plus, the display of student work will go beyond the walls of the school. A class website will gather this work and show the community and the world what students are doing in their content areas as well as how technology is making the activities even more meaningful and multifaceted, and thus increasing student understanding.