Part 1: Concepts learned
Concept 1: Clear, focused learning goals that work for all learners support differentiation
Establishing clear learning goals is the critical first step for reaching all learners. A goal that supports differentiation needs to be clear, but not so specific that there is only one pathway to success. Diverse learners can all work towards the same goals when multiple pathways are available. Similarly, there should be multiple levels of achievement possible to enable varying degrees of performance. Clear goals allow us to offer students varied pathways to learning, including scaffolding for support and challenges to extend learning. Further, it is important that learning goals be distinct and separate from the means used to achieve them. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines suggest that knowing which brain network is central to a particular standard helps us determine what must be held constant and where we can provide differentiation to support individual learning differences. Generally, recognition goals imply focus on specific content; strategic goals imply focus on a specific process or skill; and affective goals imply focus on a particular value (engagement) or emotional (enjoyment) outcome. Finally, it is important to communicate desired learning goals to students to help them understand what is expected of them.
Understanding how to establish clear learning goals will greatly improve my effectiveness as a teacher by helping me determine where I can offer flexible options and provide scaffolding. When I can identify what must be held constant for all students, I can better provide supports, set challenges and assess progress. Standards represent the knowledge, skills, and understandi...
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...//www.microsoft.com/education/), Edutopia (http://www.edutopia.org); Free Technology for Teachers (http://www.freetech4teachers.com); and SimpleK12 (http://www.simplek12.com). I have subscribed to their newsletters or blogs and am reading about classroom technology daily.
These resources will help me become a better teacher in several ways. I will be able to maximize my use of the existing technologies already available to me in my classroom. They will expand the repertoire of technology tools I am familiar with and broaden the options I can offer my students. They will provide fresh ideas to spark my thinking about how to integrate technology into my instruction, and they will help me find technology solutions to overcome specific barriers in my instruction. The more I learn, the more I try and the better able I am to engage diverse learners with technology.
Negotiated Learning needs a carefully developed plan or structure whether it is for an individual or a group.Negotiating a learning goal could be a win-win situation, established mutual trust, both sides work together to come to common agreement or both sides try to see things from other’s point of view and final agreement needs to be summarised and written down. Agreeing learning goals with learners in the form of individual assessment plan or SMART objectives ensures the learners continue to develop and maintain continual progress. SMART objectives looks are manageable goals for the learner to achieve in a given timescale this gives the learner a sense of achievement and allows for self and peer assessment. We should continually support the learner and provide help and guidance where need. By setting these types of goal achievements the learners can progress and develop at their own pace. (HALDER & blogspot.co.uk,
Goals are set for teachers. Teachers know what areas they have to teach and all students are learning the same material.
One goal is I want to see what I am capable of. I have a terrible habit where I doubt myself, and that doubt sometimes leads me missing out on life changing opportunities. There’s a saying that goes, “Doubt kills more dreams than future ever will” which really emphasizes how doubt is what makes us runs away from our hopes, goals, and dreams. It is something that makes us terribly afraid to try something new or make an effort with things. However, I truly want to not run away from that doubt, but to be able to overcome it. Even though I may be doubtful at times, I am full of determination to pursue excellence and strive to do my best in everything. For example, I want to see how great I can make my education be in high school. I have a strong connection and commitment when it comes to learning because it’s always a joy and experience when it comes to knowing new things. I believe that knowledge is one great element in life where it leads to the highest success, and it can only be acquired one way through diligence and effort. When it comes to my education, I make sure to not take it for granted and to never give up, even if it may feel brutal at times. In my opinion, I care what I learn and put towards my education rather than the grade given since with all the effort and work I put towards to what I am told, the grade follows. However, that does not mean that I am careless about my grades. I greatly cherish school and can be an example towards others at Rocky Mountain when it comes to setting academic goals and aspiring all the knowledge I want in my education. I want to influence others to make an effort when it comes to their education and see what they’re capable of. That’s why whenever I look at teachers, I see that they are sharing the gift of new traits for our education, for our futures in life. When looking at those apart of the National Honor Society, I noticed that they have
Technology enables students and teachers to have a fast and easy way to acquire unlimited access to tons of information. With all of the useful technologies, the curriculum is bound to change in endless ways, creating more opportunity for learning.
With the widespread use of digital technology, the classroom teaching approaches and practices went through remarkable changes. When compared to the past ten years, today the classrooms look entirely different in terms of programs and technical tools used to enhance the learning skills of students.
Meeting the needs of academic diverse learners is the responsibility of their instructor. These diverse learners may include students who are one or more grade levels below classmates and the gifted student who is that much above. How can educators meet the needs of these students when their learning abilities are found at opposite ends of the instructional spectrum? The answer is planning successful lessons involving engaging activities, a variety of texts, technology implementation, and flexible grouping. The following is a lesson I implemented covering these key components.
Before the lesson is prepared, the teachers must have a clear understanding of the objectives of the lesson to be taught. By having an understanding of what they students will able to accomplish at the end of the lesson, the content remains focused and thorough. The teacher must then express these objectives to the students including the standards for performance. Students can then be held accountable for expectations that are known.
How do teachers enable all students of varying abilities to reach the same goals and standards established for their grade level? Instruction begins with a concept of treating each student as a unique learner whose strengths and weaknesses ha...
We must have the correct mind-set. We believe our students can learn; have high expectations; are willing to give extra help; find ways to make
This standard expresses the importance of supporting students so they can meet higher standards. Teachers will support students by having knowledge of all of the different areas of teaching and with a strong curriculum that targets everyone. I understand how important it is to help my students meet their personal learning goals through my teachings. I will be organized and simple english and instructions in each and all of my lesson plans. I will also take into consideration the different backgrounds that my students will have and how that may impact the way they learn.
In the past, technology was something that was only used in our homes and by the wealthy. However, this has become a thing of the past. Classrooms have become more interactive and lessons seem to be more engaging. Students have been given the opportunity to use Smart Boards, document cameras, projectors, and wireless slates. In order for our students to feel comfortable, when using the different technologies, they must have some amount of background knowledge. If a student is not given this background knowledge, they will have more difficulty utilizing the technology than someone who has the background knowledge. Teachers in classrooms today must also have some type of knowledge of the technology being used. A great way to build this knowledge is to attend training sessions that your district may be holding, and utilize the technology as much as possible.
The education world has been greatly influenced by rapidly changing technology and the increasing availability of information. Schools have advanced by leaps and bounds when it comes to incorporating technology into the learning environment, however, many more advances need to be made. In all areas of the country, educators are trying to help students keep up with technology, but there are more changes that are essential for preparing the next generation for the future.
Many schools have different frameworks which outline what makes for effective teaching and learning in a classroom, these follow quite closely with the teacher’s standards.
Technology properly used in the classroom has many advantages to a student’s learning. Technology can help students become more involved in their own learning process, which is not seen in the traditional classroom. It allows them to master basic skills at their own rate rather than being left behind. Teachers and students alike can connect to real life situations by using technology in the classroom; this can also help to prepare students for real world situations. Technology can be used to motivate students as well as to offer more challenging opportunities. It can also be used as a visualization tool to keep students interested in the subject that is being taught. When technology is used effectively, students have the opportunity to develop skills that they may not get without the use of technology (Cleaver, 2011). Assessing and monitoring students is easier on the teacher because of the ability to use technology in the classroom. When technology is used correctly it offers limitless resources to a classroom atmosphere.
Students nowadays, are so focus on technology and how they can put their hands in technology. As a future teacher I believe that, the best way to capture my student’s attention is by providing them with tools that can motivate them to learn. With the use of technology, I may approach teaching differently by encouraging my students to use on-line resources. Using on-line resources, would be beneficial for the students, because they would be able to explore many on-line resources. The students would be encouraged to use the on-line materials, I as a teacher would encourage them to use. Such as Internet Workshops and WeQuests. As a future teacher I would want to use Internet workshops and WebQuests, because I would want to increase my student’s motivation to