Day 1/Reflection - May 30, 2012

• Day 1/Reflection - May 30, 2012

• Determine and describe where your classroom is on the continuum below and write your goals related to where you want to be next year.

*** My classroom is mostly teacher directed with moments more toward the right and center of this continuum. 

• Reflect on learning and instruction in your classroom. In your opinion, are a majority of your lessons:
  • Personalized
  • Individualized
  • Differentiated**
  • Whole class**
  • I think that my classroom instruction and the learning that takes place does reflect all of these in some way, shape, or form.  Reading and writing must start with whole class instruction and direction for most kids.  Writing can be personalized, individualized, differentiated, and whole class.  I really try to make writing a little bit of all of those, but sometimes it works better than others.  

• What defining characteristics do your lessons have that place them into the above category?
• Writing- collaboration through Google Docs = personalized, individualized, and differentiated at times; whole class- through modeling and exemplars; differentiated- through student choice

• Would your students describe their learning experiences the same way you do?
•  Probably not.  It's always interesting to hear their perspective vs. the reality that I think I teach.  I imagine some of my more advanced kids would corroborate this approach, but it probably depends on the assignment.  

• Determine and describe where you are in regards to technology integration continuum (shown below) in your classroom and write your own goals related to where you want to move and how you see yourself doing so.
• I truly believe that I have been on each word: substitution, augmentation, modification, and  redefinition.  I do see the value in all of the steps of this continuum.  I don't think that redefinition is always the ultimate goal because substitution, in particular, is what makes technology so effective (efficient, fast, quick, etc.) for classroom instruction.
• Goals:  
• 1. Redefine/plan how to use the different steps of the continuum effectively in my classroom.
• 2. Truly design my Wiki around better individualized learning as appropriate.
• 3. Start to work in iBooks author for at least one important unit/concept that spirals throughout my year such as:  literary terms, paragraph writing, etc.  
• 4. Explore creative apps (especially with use of videos) for certain units of instruction.
• 5. Ultimately, I'd like to write at least one full unit that combines different parts or pieces on the continuum.

• What is your reason for participating in the summer institute?
• I am participating in order to better focus myself as a teacher who values integrating technology.  It will help me avoid some personal procrastination.
• What "So What" module will be the focus of your study?
• Can I have two?
• Learning Environment AND Digital Backpack.
• Describe your project in this learning module?
• I believe I put that information in my numbered goals above.
• What types of tools will you be incorporating into your digital backpack?
• Wiki, iBooks authors, assorted apps, Google Docs,??? (I hope I discover more!)
• How will you know you are making progress toward reaching your goals? 
• I'll have a tangible project.
• How could your colleagues help support your curiosity with the data you collect in the future?
• I don't know that yet, or I don't think I know.  I'll ask if/when I need that help.
• Anything else you'd like other participants to know.
• Not right now.  I'm sure I'll need some clarification on the participation in the discussion forums, but I'll figure it out by re-reading the instructions and following others' leads.