I dedicated time to explore a handful of videos, primarily focused on the edutopia web site. I particularly liked the video on How Building a Car Can Drive Deeper Learning. This video presented a 14-year-old, Kathryn who struggled with math, until she found a relevant use for it. She fell in love with cars and started a hands on project to build her own car. She incorporated the internet to ask questions about car parts and how they fit together. She communicated with a “bigger family” at a site called Pennock’s Fiero Forum, the forum is a comparison to Facebook.
What is the nature of the case? This unique case applies to extended learning because the student did most of the project work outside of the school environment. Kathryn couldn’t wait to go home after school and spend time building her car along with her father How do you know the student is learning? The student appeared enthralled by the experience of Project-Based Learning. She understood the need to convert from the metric system to the standard. How to measure and place parts. Kathryn made time out of her busy schedule to interact with others online and follow instructions from her father to make her project a reality. What is the teacher doing? The teacher plays a non-traditional role by taking a back seat approach and relying on the student to present the questions to him. This approach puts the responsibility back on the student, allowing for the student to take complete ownership of her project. The teacher becomes a coach or mentor, and in the process promotes Kathryn’s critical thinking skills, collaboration, and in turn improves her real-life knowledge. Could you potentially use this lesson? I would definitely consider using this type of lesson in my classroom. In my case, I would probably play a more active role since I work with students with challenging disabilities. My goal is to implement a similar lesson within the confines of our limited space and resources.
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After viewing all the assigned videos, and reading the next three chapters in The Flat World and Education I am more inspired to change my “ traditional” model of teaching. I have been taught not to think outside the box since I can remember. Even though I had amazing teachers during high school, I was not expected to questioned or challenge a teacher’s lesson. However, after reflecting on the videos and reading I have come to the conclusion that I do not want to prepare students within a “factory” model. I want to expand my horizons, and promote more interactive projects, interest-based learning and life skills using digital media and technology in my classroom. After all, education is for the new generation those who will find a solution to real-life problems, use technology to communicate more effectively and create the changes that the older generation cannot even dream about. My goal is to implement technology in ways that will keep my students engaged and motivated to learn, even if is only one subject area at a time. Where do we begin in making the changes to elevate our education reform to reflect Finland’s educational model.
My initial research question pertained to students' motivation to learn in my special day class. After much consideration and research I have narrowed down my DQ to three specific questions.
My next step is to unified the concepts of technology, motivation, and students with ADHD. Possible Driving Questions:
Possible Problems: I anticipate having several problems with my DQ. How to measure students's motivation by semester or per year, do I focus on only the students with ADHD or as a whole class. What data will best show progression of student motivation? Steps to Success I will search for user-friendly tech tools which I can implement in my class as a way to promote student motivation. I will present these tools in class and then offer students a chance to select a tool of their preference . My ultimate goal is to have the students with ADHD on task at least 60 to 70 percent of the time while using technology. I have many more questions on how to develop a successful research paper. I will keep making notes of them, as they come up. |
AuthorI am a special ed teacher at Vintage High School. Archives
July 2018
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