This year, my school decided upon the Learning Focused program for the teachers to learn throughout our professional development hours. This program taught me a lot about concept maps and essential questions, which is what we are learning throughout the chapters in our book. At first, many teachers did not like the idea; especially the teachers that have been teaching for years and are now asked to change their way to delivering instruction. For me, it was not a big deal. For me, it was learning something new! The essential questions give the notes and readings meaning, and something to look for. It also involves higher-level thinking. Under the generalizations on page 74 of Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works stated, "Higher-level" questions and advance organizers produce deeper learning than "lower-level" questions and advance organizers." It was neat to see the same terms I was learning throughout my professional development, to also be in my readings for this course.
Does anyone presently use essential questions? I post mine on the board and add to them each day until the chapter is complete. It is also a great way for a review!
I also learned about KUD and KWL charts. (KUD is Know Understand and Do.) These are a great tool for all students, especially ESL or special education students.
I mentioned in my discussion that next year I want to incorporate more of the concept maps from the links we discovered in this class. Many of the charts provided with my professional development were boring charts. If I use the Webspiration and create a personal web for the lesson or chapter, I feel it will connect to my students on a greater level. Then, I can make the same chart with blanks for my students to fill out.
I think a great project, especially for Marine Biology, would be to have the students create their own web with the levels of the ocean and animals we study. Does anyone have any other ideas?
As far as summarizing and note taking, I do not know if that is a skill I should stress or not. Correct me if I am wrong, but my students will be going to college within the next 1-2 years and professors now have PowerPoints the students can print and take to class as notes. (That is how my classes were.) I feel it is an important thing to learn, but if they have not learned it by now, should I stress it? With my PowerPoints I started writing "Do not write:" and "Please write:" to differientiate discussion from note-taking.
Any ideas or comments?
I am very exicted to explore the virtual field trips! I feel this will add to my multiple modes of instruction. My students love when we watch Blue Planet (a set of DVDs) about different marine animals. Normally, I give a simple worksheet or ask them to write 15 interesting facts, but making a concept map would be more engaging! After my seniors leave (for graduation) I may explore a few virtual field trips and make a concept map towards the end of the year. It seems more relaxing, but also very educational. Stimpson commented in her discussion, "If my students cannot see the animals for themselves at our real field trip, then I will take them on one that they can at least see their favorite animal through the computer" (2006). She also provided a great link that I will use in my classroom. I am very excited for next school year to incorporate all of my new technology knowledge!
References:
Pitler, P., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Virginia: ASCD.
Stimpson, R. (2010, May 17). Technology and cognitive tools. Message posted to EDUC 6671 discussion board, Week 3.
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Leah,
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of the Focused Learning program. I have not heard of using an essential question either before this class. Do you have any good websites that I could go to in order to learn more about the topic? I would be interested in looking into it a little more.
Also, for my younger students, I do not normally have something for them to complete as they are watching a video. I, like you, would like to try using a concept map during a video. I think that concept maps help students to think about the most important pieces from the video. This way they do not have to remember all of the ideas. This will help in storage of long term memory.
Great ideas!
Elizabeth
http://www.learningfocused.com/
ReplyDeleteHere is the main website. On the website they will explain everything, plus give free resources!
This year, I did not fully use it because we were learning more about it throughout the year. It was difficult for the students if I tried to keep changing the basic flow of my classroom with these new ideas.
Next year I plan to start off with these ideas!
Thank you for your comment! If you have any other questions, please let me know!
I do not use essential questions daily. However, I believe that my school is moving toward posting an essential question for every lesson. I think that providing an essential question would be very beneficial. I think having an essential question helps anchor the lesson and also address higher level thinking.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that you use virtual field trips in your classroom. I use them with my fourth grade students and I am always amazed at how much they learn. I think that students at every age can learn something from going on a virtual field trip. When I use them in my classroom I almost always learn something new.
Yes, I most definitely think that I am going to use the field trips! It is a great way to incorporate technology, and also provides a break from the basic 'note taking'. I think my students will really benefit from this.
ReplyDeleteLeah,
ReplyDeleteI think that your idea for concept mapping the different levels of the ocean is great and your students would enjoy it. Another idea for you is to do a concept map on global warming and it's effects on sea level, coral death, and other factors of the ocean. Once your students have mastered the levels and animals in those levels, they can explore global warming's effect on it.
Robin
Our school district moved to requiring us to post essential learnings for each subject on the board daily. At first, the task seemed a bit overwhelming. Four years later it is actually nice to see that the students are focusing their attention on what the outcome of the lesson is. Plus, the essential learnings hold teachers accountable for making sure they are teaching to the curriculum alignment plan.
ReplyDeleteI am excited about the concept maps as they are not only beneficial for the student who is filling it out, but if a student is absent their study buddy can simply print two copies. What program have you found to be the most user friendly for concept maps? I teach second grade and think the spinscape sight is not a good fit. I would love any suggestions you may have for the primary grades.
Global Warming: That would be a great way to organize information we learn about the various effects... thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteEssential Question: You have been doing them for four years? That is great! As I stated, it is new for our school, and they wanted us to incorporate them automatically, that is why I feel many teachers opposed the idea. I am hoping next year more teachers are open to the idea, after they have the summer to sort of 'revise' how they will teach the next year.