Module 6 Reflection

This module has helped me think about self-directed learning and differentiation by forcing me to focus on the specific areas of our unit that meet individual needs and what areas we could amp up so that they appeal to all. There are certain portions of the unit that will lend themselves nicely to each type of learning style and skill level, but it's important to remember to assign or utilize the various students in the area that suits them. It's always good to be reminded of this and focus on it as much as possible in planning, implementing and assessing.

Module 5 Reflection

Student-Centered assessment is important because it allows the students to take responsibility for their learning. If they know exactly what is expected of them up front, and have the tools to monitor their progress throughout the project, they can stay focused and ensure they have a quality product. With teacher guidance, they can be sure they are headed in the right direction and there will be no surprises after all their hard work. It also makes things clear for both teacher and student so that they are on the same page and can work together toward their goals.

Module 4 Reflection

There a variety of ways that technology can be used to support and assess student learning. For instance, teachers can let small groups, pairs or individual students complete Kidspiration activities, webquests and other online activities that have a final product or assessment. The students can then print this out and the teacher will have a hard copy to grade and see how well they understood. Teachers can also task the students with creating graphic organizers, blog posts, etc online to see their knowledge. The students can also create an array of final products to showcase their learning such as PowerPoints, online books (can't remember the name?!), brochures, or movies.

Module 3 Reflection

This module has helped me think about the impact of the Internet on my students' learning because of the sheer depth of the internet. There is such a vast amount of information and great resources out there. It takes time on the teacher's part to weed through it all and determine what the students can use or read based on their level, but with time, a lot of valuable tools can be found.

The internet also opens the doors to communication that was not possible before. Sharing and learning from others via online tools has endless possibilities. At the first grade level, and for this PBL Unit we are developing, I think the internet will be beneficial for research, for collaborating on documents, and for communicating with other students in foreign countries. With minimal guidance, even such young students can utilize these tools in ways that allow them to take control of their learning and really get a lot out of it.