Although students are responsible for their own learning, teachers inspire students to be motivated and engaged in their learning by enhancing and extending the learning environment so that it is conducive to students as individuals and as a whole student body.
Goal:
I will use technology to extend the learning environment to the world wide web, making it easier for students to continue to learn after they leave the classroom.
Goal Reflection:
The math core is too big, and the school year too short. It is difficult to allow students to explore concepts, refine their understanding, and offer plenty of practice to gain fluency in the classroom alone. A certain amount of work outside of the classroom is necessary to increase depth of knowledge and procedural fluency. But with kids so dependent on their electronic devices for everything (seriously, they can't even go a full class period without texting), the best way to reach these kids is to make the classroom accessible from their favorite device.
I use three different formats to make this possible, one of which is a teacher website on UEN. Having a website that is updated regularly with class notes, homework assignments, project information, and videos means students can always access classroom material, even when at home or on the go. Another medium used to extend the learning environment is Show Me app, which I use to create videos for students to watch at home. These videos focus on practice problems, helping build procedural fluency. I have also used ShowMe videos to teach my students on days when I have a substitute. In many other classes, days when a teacher is absent turn into free days or homework catch-up days. But thanks to Show Me, my students continue learning even in my absence, despite the mathematical abilities of the guest teacher. Additionally, students who miss a day of class can watch the Show Me videos to catch up and learn what they missed. I also use Remind to contact students in the format they love most: text!
Next year I want to continue to use these services, though I hope to switch from UEN to Canvas next year. With Canvas, students can turn in homework and do assessments from home which will really aid in my goal to extend the learning environment using technology. Next year, I will continue to use Show ME, though I hope to try to make one concept video per unit to add to the procedural fluency videos. True learning in math is not just procedural fluency, but in depth conceptual knowledge, and I would love to be an at home resources for my students in conceptual knowledge as well as procedural fluency.
I use three different formats to make this possible, one of which is a teacher website on UEN. Having a website that is updated regularly with class notes, homework assignments, project information, and videos means students can always access classroom material, even when at home or on the go. Another medium used to extend the learning environment is Show Me app, which I use to create videos for students to watch at home. These videos focus on practice problems, helping build procedural fluency. I have also used ShowMe videos to teach my students on days when I have a substitute. In many other classes, days when a teacher is absent turn into free days or homework catch-up days. But thanks to Show Me, my students continue learning even in my absence, despite the mathematical abilities of the guest teacher. Additionally, students who miss a day of class can watch the Show Me videos to catch up and learn what they missed. I also use Remind to contact students in the format they love most: text!
Next year I want to continue to use these services, though I hope to switch from UEN to Canvas next year. With Canvas, students can turn in homework and do assessments from home which will really aid in my goal to extend the learning environment using technology. Next year, I will continue to use Show ME, though I hope to try to make one concept video per unit to add to the procedural fluency videos. True learning in math is not just procedural fluency, but in depth conceptual knowledge, and I would love to be an at home resources for my students in conceptual knowledge as well as procedural fluency.
Evidence:
My UEN Website where I post videos, class notes, homework assignments, and remind students about upcoming deadlines and important dates.
|
Show Me is an app used to create videos so students can review material and get help on homework. My 49 videos have been viewed 1,830 times!
|
Remind is used to send reminder text messages. Students can sign up to receive reminder text messages, emails, or download the app and receive in-app notifications. These messages help motivate students to be engaged in their learning outside of the classroom. Approximately 60% of my students are signed up for these alerts.
|
Click on each image below to enlarge.
Reflection:
Today's learners are attached to their devices. Students are more inclined to ask Siri for a definition of a vocabulary word than refer to their in-class notes. By making educational materials available in an electronic format accessible on their favorite device, the learning environment is no longer limited the brick and mortar classroom. Instead the learning environment is anywhere a student takes his phone; the home office, kitchen table, or friend's tv room have all become extensions of my classroom. I have heard from parents thanking me for my website and the resources available there. I have parents who sign up for Remind to stay informed and encourage good study habits in their child. And best of all, my students harass me when I fall behind and forget to update my website or fail to send them a text message about an upcoming assessment. They seek out these resources and use them to improve their learning.
Of all my accomplishments, my Show Me videos are one of my greatest. I stay after contract hours four days a week to tutor students. This is one of the best ways to connect with students and really improve their understanding on difficult topics. Unfortunately, I can't reach every student this way. The videos are a way to extend the after-school tutoring environment to a wider audience. I can't interact with the students on the videos, but the fact that I have over 1,830 views on my videos shows I am reaching kids and helping them learn even in the comfort of their own home.
Of all my accomplishments, my Show Me videos are one of my greatest. I stay after contract hours four days a week to tutor students. This is one of the best ways to connect with students and really improve their understanding on difficult topics. Unfortunately, I can't reach every student this way. The videos are a way to extend the after-school tutoring environment to a wider audience. I can't interact with the students on the videos, but the fact that I have over 1,830 views on my videos shows I am reaching kids and helping them learn even in the comfort of their own home.