Schools that are striving to meet the needs of 21st century learners should be overflowing with instructional technology. The written curriculum should be clearly outlined and accessible via the Internet and other print resources. The taught curriculum should be should be presented in a myraid of ways using technological tools and advances. For instance, software applications and Web 2.0 tools should not only be used to help students construct meaning of the content they are learning, but should also be used to help them analyze, connect and interpret the curricular content presented to them as well. Technology can be used with the tested curriculum by providing a way for formative benchmark assessments to occur more frequently than just the annual state standardized test. The use of computerized systems will also make is easier to disagregate test scores and key in on areas of improvement and those where more strengthening must occur.
One tool that we use at our school and that I would promote in the future is Study Island. This is an online program that assists students in mastering state benchamrks. Teachers can assign benchmark strand for students to work on. Students have the option of answering questions in test mode, game mode or on a handout. Students are allowed to click on the lesson whenever they feel they may need additional guidance. After scores are calcualated, students may be prompted to move on to the next lesson if mastery is achieved, or they may be remediated to a building block lesson, which will present questions to the student in a more basic format, possibly a lower grade level, all without the student knowing, thus attempting to reteach the strand and strengthen the students understanding of it. Other Web 2.0 tools I would promote using are blogs, wikis, and videoconferencing. These are all great ways for students to share their insights and what they have learned while allowing instructors the latitude to create prompts and directive options based on students readiness levels.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Curriculum Theory - Reflection #1
What are your philosophical beliefs about the purpose of school, about what subjects should be taught, and about how students learn? How does your work demonstrate your belief?
Personally I feel that education plays the role of preparing students for world beyond school: being a productive member of the community, playing an active role in the workforce, and participating in and maintaining a productive familial unit. I think that it is essential that all core curricular subjects (science, math, English, social studies) are taught to each student every year of school as they give students the basic knowledge of how the world around them operates. Students should also be given opportunities to take other electives courses that they are interested in. Varied learning styles should also be taken into consideration when administrators construct curricular goals and teachers plan lessons. All students do not learn the same, yet all should be given the opportunity to be actively engaged in their learning environment.
I work at an alternative high school and I truly believe that the work I do reflects my philosophical beliefs. At my school we not only emphasize the importance of academic goals but we also take pride in making sure students learn social norms as well. Students are expected to uphold high standards regarding dress code and communication. Our uniform policy is strictly enforced and well as a no tolerance policy for inappropriate verbal conduct and sexual harassment. We frequently remind students that when they enter the workforce there will be expectations regarding these types of behaviors, so we are just simply helping them make the transition more easier.
We also realize that while all students must meet certain requirements regarding course selection they are not all college bound. For that reason we require that all students in 10th and 11th grades attend an off site vocational/technical educational program. Research has proven that students in vo-tech programs are less likely to skip school and fail classes. In addition, once these students complete these two year programs, they are also able to attain certification in the areas they have trained in, making them more marketable in the workplace.
As a firm believers in varied learning styles I am currently attempting to find more ways to assess student knowledge. I have got into the practice of providing at least two assessment options when testing students on units. I have also started using different ways of delivering instructing. I used to be a strict textbook teacher, but I am now finding more ways to instruct students (online clips, web quests, collaborative groups). It has proved difficult due to time constraints, but I am getting better as each year passes.
Personally I feel that education plays the role of preparing students for world beyond school: being a productive member of the community, playing an active role in the workforce, and participating in and maintaining a productive familial unit. I think that it is essential that all core curricular subjects (science, math, English, social studies) are taught to each student every year of school as they give students the basic knowledge of how the world around them operates. Students should also be given opportunities to take other electives courses that they are interested in. Varied learning styles should also be taken into consideration when administrators construct curricular goals and teachers plan lessons. All students do not learn the same, yet all should be given the opportunity to be actively engaged in their learning environment.
I work at an alternative high school and I truly believe that the work I do reflects my philosophical beliefs. At my school we not only emphasize the importance of academic goals but we also take pride in making sure students learn social norms as well. Students are expected to uphold high standards regarding dress code and communication. Our uniform policy is strictly enforced and well as a no tolerance policy for inappropriate verbal conduct and sexual harassment. We frequently remind students that when they enter the workforce there will be expectations regarding these types of behaviors, so we are just simply helping them make the transition more easier.
We also realize that while all students must meet certain requirements regarding course selection they are not all college bound. For that reason we require that all students in 10th and 11th grades attend an off site vocational/technical educational program. Research has proven that students in vo-tech programs are less likely to skip school and fail classes. In addition, once these students complete these two year programs, they are also able to attain certification in the areas they have trained in, making them more marketable in the workplace.
As a firm believers in varied learning styles I am currently attempting to find more ways to assess student knowledge. I have got into the practice of providing at least two assessment options when testing students on units. I have also started using different ways of delivering instructing. I used to be a strict textbook teacher, but I am now finding more ways to instruct students (online clips, web quests, collaborative groups). It has proved difficult due to time constraints, but I am getting better as each year passes.
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