Transcript LTA summary
LTAs provides instructors an insight to whether their learning group is willing and able to accept Web-based learning environments. My hypothetical LTA is focused on the Explore Africa webquest and on the demographics of my previous students from 2008-09 school year. LTA split into two parts and a conclusion. Goal: › To accurately begin this assessment, I need to establish a goal to see if Web-based learning is the correct choice. My goal is to have the students work in small groups to research an African tribe, create a mask of that tribe, and deliver an oral presentation in the Griot style. YES! › The Web is a necessary component for research. › Most thorough and up-to-date information › Can find pictures, video, audio, etc. › Some research could be done via libraries YES! › Much required information will be available via the Web. › Faster › More extensive › Example of Griot presentations? YES! › Currently taught as an individual research project › Can be modified to incorporate independent and collaborative aspects › More Web-based with guided research through the webquest and other sites like Classzone.com, SchoolWires.net, and Web2.0 servers › Includes multiple intelligences and learning styles even while being Web-based YES! › New skills can be practiced Art of researching Proper web searching Filtering and Reading Comprehension Recognizing credible vs. non-credible sources Preparing research notes and Works Cited Interactive Africa Map Quiz for knowledge of political geography of Africa YES! › Rubric to assess student participation and › › › › › demonstration of gained knowledge Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles Individual and Collaborative aspects Interactive online and off Teamwork and Organization Research is foundational to completing and understanding the project For this next section, I will continue to use my previous 7th grade class as my group of learners, sometimes referred to as “employees” by Beer. Diverse teaching and learning Sundry of strategies and activities, often simultaneously: Smart Board Computers on Wheels Website creation Power Point presentations Multiple Intelligences Think Like A… Tools/Themes of History Interest Inventories Tiered assignments Flexible/Cooperative groups Depth and Complexity Content Imperatives EVERYONE! Administrators, parents, students, faculty Affluent district competitive Technology is motivating and engaging › Helps provide Authentic Learning Experiences (OPUSD Moral Imperative and Teaching and Learning Goal) › Lessons become customizable and more enjoyable Detailed in Part 1 Use for school-home-school communication Helps students be more responsible for assignments and schedules Less physical storage space needed in classroom for projects YES! › Students use technology and the Web every day a hundred times over! Communication, Entertainment, Work/Learning, Research, File storing/sharing, etc. › Their knowledge is helpful in the classroom Trouble shooting Peer tutoring Collaborative Cooperative Groups Opportunity to help others and come out of YES! › Technology is most students’ way of life! › Some lack of enthusiasm with “old” technologies › Students still used to seeing, interacting with, and learning with technology OPUSD Mission Statement: “The mission of the Oak Park Unified School District is to provide students with a strong foundation for learning which meets the challenge of the present and of the FUTURE through a balanced education which includes academic achievement, personal growth, and social responsibility” (http://www.oakparkusd.org/). OPUSD Moral Imperatives and Goals for Teaching and Learning: › Authentic Learning “Technology is a tool that will be used to optimize authentic learning experiences.” Goal: develop a “practical art program” in technology Technology is CORNERSTONE to authentic learning and meeting present and future challenges. Lots of funding and SUPPORT for technology in OPUSD › Lots of exciting hardware and software for classroom use However, MCMS is NOT a technology school! Still have the same subject matter content standards to cover like every other public school in California. Need to continually strive to be innovative to effectively integrate tech into an already full program YES! › By updating the project requirements and altering it to fit a web-based learning experience, the students can work cooperatively and still produce an authentic product. List is too long to enumerate! › Website creation in class period › Research-based power points › Computer/online review game creation › Classzone.com and SchoolWires.net to study for tests, complete assignments, access schedules, emails › Web 2.0 server to access files Internet is part of their daily lives! Schools have to run to keep up with ever-changing technology and student familiarity with it. For my seasoned 7th graders, technology and Web learning is second nature. IMPACT: › Comfort level of virtual world and reality › Educators have supreme responsibility to utilize technology and the Web effectively and creatively. Show it’s more valuable than Facebook and gaming. › Effective integration of of the Web and technology is critical to the 21st Century student and teacher. The LTA fuels me with enough confidence to continue to stretch out into the realm of Web-based learning. › My learners can handle it. › My learners can contribute. It continues to be my responsibility to provide my students with these types of authentic learning opportunities.