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Keeping with this week’s assignment I have spent some valuable time searching for different programs to implement with a project in order to meet special needs or just to enhance diversity in learning styles. I have also been searching for alternative means of assessment techniques and methods. I am finding that there are quite a few assessment techniques online when you search for projects, video guides, or lesson plans. It would seem the key goes back to the previous course where if you change a few terms when searching, you can find some very good information.
So far I have been able to find everything needed for my project. Since the student project is a mock MySpace, what I am doing is laying out the different publisher options for the students. Then I am providing a list of websites to research, along with a daily checklist for assessment. I am in the process of creating a rubric that has forty different items where the students will get 2 points apiece for a total of eighty points. Their presentation is broken into 4 parts each worth 5 points for a total of twenty and a grand total for the project at one-hundred.
As for my peer presentation, the first meeting has been scheduled and I have sent emails out for each teacher to give me some information of their favorite athlete, automobile, or motorcycle. I will have them search for photos and information to have them complete their project. I will use a similar checklist to model what I was doing with my students. I have gotten all the feedback from them and everyone is on-board. It seemed that was a natural step in the process.
So far I really didn’t have to modify my plan, but may have to adjust the peer presentations if we have our time adjusted by the administration. Some dates are only tentative because of other planning. The only questions I really have are will I be able to get everyone to learn the process as well as using the media and technology. It may be a lot to ask from a couple of my peers. For the most part they are eager, but have also warned they aren’t the most technical. I’m not sure why they are suspect; I am no digital native by any means. So I think I am ready to move forward. If anyone has any hints, questions, or comments, please feel free to let me have them. The last thing I want is a surprise while I am presenting and working with my students and peers.
Seven Mind Mapping Tools to Try This Year
2 years ago
Virg,
ReplyDeleteI have often said the worst students are teachers. I have been collaborating with my peers at the alternative school on various topics in their classes that they are wanting each of us other teachers to coordinate our classes to theirs....in other words, if the Civics teacher is doing a section on patriotism, then I, as the Conflict Resolution teacher, should try to coordinate a section on patriotism in the context of my class as well.
I think we all sometimes ask too much of each other on short notice. Given a bit more notice than a week, I might have been able to put together a better lesson for my class, but as it was, I did a pretty good job. We talked about how joining the military can help turn someone around and help them see the bigger picture on our duty to serving our country, even if you don't join a service branch, you can do your part by paying taxes without grumbling too much, or donating to charities, etc.
The section you are teaching on how to make a MySpace account, without exposing them to an actual MySpace is well done, it can give them proper skills and techniques for a safe page and keeping their information secure and private, instead of them just fumbling around and doing a page hap-hazard.
take care
Rob Zingg
Thanks for the support Rob. I don't have a MySpace or FaceBook account so I had to actually spend some time with a friend to see how it's laid out. I just figured we tend to learn things by assimilation of what we know. With kids, they stay more engaged when they can put it into their schema. It seems like a good idea, but I'm a few weeks from implementation so it might fall flat.
ReplyDeleteVirgil,
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that things are going smoothly. I really like your MySpace idea. Using a publisher program to simulate MYSpace is just genius. I also loked your use of rubric and daily checklists. I should start using daily checklists more often. I have found that this year's seniors are experiencing "senioritus" way too early. Using daily checklist will help me keep them focused until the end of the year. Thanks for your ideas.
Virgil,
ReplyDeleteI think your ideas are wonderful and the rubrics and your daily checklists that are already planned and ready.
I am quite excited to see how your project will work out because it sounds as if you have everybody involved. Good Luck.
Maria
Maria
James,
ReplyDeleteIt seems to get harder each year as Seniors gain acceptance they just want to shut down. I have something each day that they have to do for a grade. No matter how small, a journal entry, a vocabulary activity, a graph or chart, anything that loosely applies to my objective I attach a point value, so my Seniors just keep groaning but they do it. I promised them a good psychological thriller as a reward just after their final....bet I'll be viewing it alone!
Maria,
ReplyDeleteI just started another two day project with my World Cultures kids and the Day one checklist is ready to go. The kids seem to really like it because they just go step by step and it makes it easy for me to assess their progress. I just go around with a printout from my attendance and place a check mark by their name if they complete it or put a minus sign with the points they lose for not completing it. With my special needs kids, they have a slightly paired down version, but the still have to complete it in the given time, anything extra, they can bank a bonus point or two. What I do then is they must highlight a test question that they must answer, but if it is wrong, they can use the point to ask a friend. The only questions that are valid are the ones they choose and it must be highlighted the day of the exam. So sometimes they don't even need the points but they like the fact they can earn them. I do the same for the rest of the students if they can score a perfect on their project. So it is fair enough to motivate.