Slaughter's Tech Moment
Design Learning
Teaching is an Art Form
Teachers are artists perfecting their craft. Each day presents a canvas for which we can paint. We are always learning new techniques, methods, and ways to increase motivation and improve instruction to create a masterpiece of learning for our students.
Like an artist, teachers have many tools at our disposal. The question is which ones will be the most beneficial for our students. What works for one teacher may not work for another. The lesson used last year may not meet the needs of our classroom this year. This Tech Moment approaches lesson planning and some resources for using technology as the medium for creation.
The practice of blended lessons is the key to perfecting the art of teaching. It is to take a little from here and a little from there to create the right mix to paint a beautiful experience in education.
Backward Design for Forward Thinking
- What do I need them to learn?-Identify what you want your students to be able to do at the end of the lesson or unit.
- How do I want them to show they learned? - What do you want the end product to look like? Think about what skills will match up to that main objective. Do they need to work on writing, critical thinking, creativity, how to collaborate, or do they need to work on communicating information learned?
- Determine if this would be better taught in whole group, small group, or maybe they need to be partnered up. - Once you decide this, then you can determine the digital tools both software and hardware that would best help you. You may use more than one kind to assist you.
- What digital tools have you seen that may engage them, make it more exciting for you, or help you meet the goal?- See what will make you reach out of the box, because it may stretch their thinking as well. Also, look for things that will help you get real time data and will help you gauge your lesson effectiveness. Immediate feedback is so important to learning. Keep feedback in mind in your digital tool selection. Will it meet your students needs?
- Teach the Lesson and evaluate yourself- Think about how the lesson went, how the students did, what could be tweaked, and did the digital tool help or should you look for something else.
Start small! "Rome was not built in a day!" Do not get frustrated if things go wrong, after all we artists and some of the best works came from mistakes!
Let's Blend Learning and Technology!
Sometimes we start talking about integrating technology and we get frustrated and overwhelmed. Teachers need to blend technology with good pedagogy and methodology.
With so many resources available, WHERE DO YOU START?!
Graphite has a wonderful resource called Lesson Flows. They are trying to help teachers add technology easily and seamlessly into lessons. While not all of the apps or ideas they suggest will work for you and the technology that is in your classroom, many lessons can be adapted to fit the needs of your students. Remember, as a Technology Coach I am here to help you!
Another great resource on Graphite is Common Core Explorer. Teachers pick the grade level and the standard that matches the Missouri Learning Standard to be addressed. The website will generate a list of technology websites and resources to assist you in planning. Teachers for have rated these websites effectiveness.
Check out the Lesson Flows in Action!
Blendspace- Drag and Drop Planning
Blendspace is a tool for creating blended lessons. On Blendedspace, teachers can drag and drop resources, quizzes, and even create slides of information all in one location. When finished, it becomes a seamless lesson for you to teach or assign. There are lessons created by other teachers available if you are pressed for time.
Don't forget eBackpack is perfect for integrating technology and infusing Blended Learning! We will look at that more in the next Tech Moment!
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