"Through Challenge Based Learning, students and teachers are making a difference and proving that learning can be deep, engaging, meaningful, and purposeful" (Mark, Karen, and Marco, 2016). After reading and watching the videos about CBL, I am really interested in trying this with my students next year. The reason I say "next year" is because I believe this kind of PBL work would be hard to do over Zoom. In addition, we are at the close of our year and testing is unfortunately taking the priority right now. However, with that being said, I envision creating a real-world lesson to go along with our "Communities" English Language Arts unit. I love how the students on the video felt empowered. They knew they made a difference, even if they are kids. I also love the idea of teamwork, collaborative groups, roles, creativity of how and what they are going to do, the communication between the groups members and the innovation of their presentations.
As for the flipped classroom design, we were introduced to this idea in Scott Marsden's class. I really liked the idea and tried it with my students. Unfortunately, it wasn't successful. My third grade students are having difficulties completing their asynchronous work. I only have 4-5 students who get on and complete their work outside of class and/or even go on and review what I post on their Google Classroom. I believe my failed attempt to do a flipped classroom is due to the aforementioned reasons. How can I get my students to listen to the flipped lesson, at home, and not during class time when they won't do their asynchronous assignments? I think it is a great idea but I see it much more realistic for older students. I think older students can front load the assignment and then have a very rich discussion among their peers and teacher during class time. I appreciate learning these new ideas and strategies. I look forward to creating real-world lessons for next year's students. I hope to do a couple CBL lessons next year. I look forward to having next year's students to see how much further along, in technology, they are than students of the past. It should be an interesting year.
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How can technology help with meeting students’ individual learning needs?
As I read this prompt for my blog, I immediately thought of Universal Design Learning (UDL) and Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT). I am a growth mindset kind of gal. I look for the silver linings. Throughout this global pandemic, I have found many silver linings. One that impacts my life the most for my students, is technology. Sure, I used computers in my classroom for many years. I have taught students how to type and search the internet for research reports, but this year heightened my technology skills 100%. In addition to using Zoom and Google Classroom as a virtual classroom teacher, I have also used technology to design flexible lessons for students. For example, one challenge I have each year is imprinting students' brains with multiplication facts. We teach many different visual strategies for multiplication but they don't always work for ALL learners. So this year, with the assistance of technology and "gaming", I have added another strategy to my toolbox. This one is Gimkit! I use Gimkit to create online collaborative and competitive games for students to practice their multiplication. Since the beginning of the year, I have created a safe and respectful classroom. Students not only trust me but they trust each other. Therefore I felt students were comfortable to participate in this online gaming program together. This activity allows for students to be individuals in a collectivism setting. Students know that others depend on them and therefore play their best, which results in learning. I have found that my student's this year are much further along with learning their multiplication, than in the years past. I believe the aforementioned example is an example of how I implemented UDL in my classroom. First, I found a challenge. Second, I created a goal. Finally, I analyzed my barriers. I used multiple media's to teach multiplication. I created choices of multiplication levels through the use of Gimkit. Students also had choice in the game that they chose to play. Lastly, students received feedback from each other and from me. They love the game and we all know that when we love something, we continue to do it, and in this case...learn multiplication! |
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April 2021
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