Standand I Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.
- Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
- Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
- Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes
- Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments
Reflection
This standard
explains how teachers should apply IT tools to help student learn and create.
These tools can be some theories to help students master some learning methods,
or web 2.0 tools which can promote group learning. The final objectives are to
facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity.
The
first artifact I selected is the presentation of concept mapping which was designed
by Dr. Wang and myself. It was presented as a material for my internship in
Lamar County School District. The slides introduced the concept, usages and
application examples of concept mapping. Concept mapping is a good method to
help students organize learning structure and promote learning. Different nodes
in the maps and their links which show the relationship among these modes can
also inspire creativity. Many concept mapping tools are based on the theory and
method. In the presentation, I listed resources of different tools for further
learning. They are helpful for innovation and creativity. The presentation for
concept mapping was presented several times and I also revised it for several
time. Every time when I completed presentation, I can find some inappropriate
contents which I need to revise for the next presentation, although the
audience may be similar. In Sumrall Elementary School, Sumrall Middle School
and Sumrall High School, I introduced the tool for the teachers. I designed the
contents in Microsoft Word and also in Emaze which is a free online tool for
presentation. In completion and application of the artifact, I learnt how to
apply what I learnt and knew to help learner learning and creativity.
The second
artifact I selected for the standard is Kidspiration Tutotial. Kidspiration is
a tool for concept mapping which is appropriate for kindergarten to K-5. It is
a visual way to explore and understand words, numbers and concepts. Kidspiration
works the way students think and learn and the way teachers teach. As students
make visual connections, they build fundamental skills in reading, writing,
math, science and social studies. Kidspiration offers activities in all
curriculum areas, so students use visual learning naturally and
confidently. Kidspiration can also be integrated into curriculum to meet
the Common Core State Standards. It is a good tool to classify students’
conceptual understand, thinking, planning and help learn and innovate. When I
designed the tutorial, I used two examples for learners to follow. With the completion
of the examples, learners can master the functions of Kidspiration and
understand how the tool can help them learn. To design the tutorial, I used
Microsoft Word for text format tutorial and Camtasia Studio and Recorder for
video tutorial. Although I am a novice learner for video tutorial, I can apply
new tools to help learners learn.
The third artifact I selected is the project of Blackboard’s Communication Tools which was completed by Natalie Hill, Alexis Jones, Kathleen Lumpkin, Martha Resavy and myself. I was in charge of Blackboard Collaborate. The project was completed online. For the content of the project is communication tools, we can use and test many tools to discuss and share ideas online. We also shared and revised ideas and the report in Google Docs. It is a good example for group learning of different characters in learning process, including students, instructor and others. The process of completion demonstrates group cooperation for constructing one project. The learning experience meets the standard and can be transferred for my future instructional design for my learners.
Future learning goals
As a teacher for
IT or an instructional designer, applying technology to promote learners’
learning and inspire their creativity is the basic knowledge and skill. The
number of Web 2.0 tools and software is growing quickly day by day. In the
future, I will focus on more useful tools or software, as well as appropriate
learning strategies and theories. With the foundation of what I learnt as a
student, I can master them quickly and apply them in my instruction to
facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity.
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