How Did We Do?

There are many ways that we can assess student learning.  We want to make sure our students are learning and we are not just wasting their time and our time.  Tests are not the only way we can measure academic levels.  They are not the only way to see what strengths we can build upon and what the needs of the students are.
We can use many types of assessments to measure the needs of our students.  Tests do not take into consideration the diverse needs or the learning styles  of our students.  We know that our students come from a different walk of life from each other and some of the measuring sticks that we use do not take that into account.  There are many types of assessments to show progress of each of our students.  I believe one way is through  portfolios.  This would be a way to show progress over a period of time, the student could make a decision on what would be best to put in the portfolio.  This way when they show growth and they are proud of what they have accomplished their work goes into the portfolio.  If they need help they will get it before they complete the task for their portfolio. 
Another way our students can be assessed is to arrange the them in groups.  This is a great way to make observation of work ethics.  Students can work together on culminating projects.  Working together builds collaboration skills and the students learn from each other.  This group work allows the teacher to make observations and give feedback on group dynamics.
As with most schools in the beginning of the school year we give assessments to get a baseline of our students strengths and needs to guide our instruction.  At this time it would be a great idea to meet with previous teachers. Previous teachers of our students are a great resource for us.  They know them and want them to succeed as well.  They can enlighten us more than an assessment could tell us about our students.
When we test our students we are testing our pedagogy.  How did we prepare our students, did we given them the best chance to showcase their abilities.
As teachers we must take into considerations all learning styles, we must differentiate our instruction for those that need it, we must understand cultural differences, and most of all know we need to be aware of what drives our students.
Tests are not the only objective assessment when we think about tools that identify our students levels, not every student is the same.

Technology Infused Classroom

Unlike the traditional classroom setting the technology infused classroom has students actively engaged and moving about the room, collaborating and creating products that they can be proud of using these technological devices.  Textbooks are replaced by these devices to keep the students motivated and using their high order thinking skills.  The students and teachers can go beyond the walls of the classroom without leaving the building.  With the low funding for the classrooms the teachers can bring real life experiences to the students without leaving the room to get experiences they might not otherwise  receive if they did not have the connectivity.  When we look around we can see that our students come from a different way of life other than that of the students from just a few years ago.  They are engaged in  a way of life that allow them to use digital objects.  We can engaged our students in our classrooms with the tools thaat they enjoy.  A classroom that is infused with technology has a Smart Board, computers, laptops, digital cameras and digital videos.  With these tools we can capture our students attention.  When we incorporate technology in our lesson plans this supports the student learning.  With our digital learners we must infuse technology into our content area that support a positive and meaningful experience that help us as 21st century teachers.
With my classroom I use the Smart Board to inspire learning and keep my students engaged with interactive lesson plans.  I use my digital camera to take images of my students when we are working on projects to be displayed for all to enjoy.

Visual Learners Have Arrived

We want our children to be literate  in the 21st century not just in reading and writing, we want them to be literate in visually as well.  We want our children to be able decipher what is being said by looking at the images that are being presented to them.  When we as teacher understand that most of most our students are visual learners as we will find out  it would be a great teaching tool to given them images that assist us in teaching them.  When we want our students to be engaged in what we are teaching them, we have to bring them into the discussion and get them motivated.  What better way to do that, for the learning style of the child is to bring in images, videos or other forms digital technology for them to experience.  We really need to get our students excited.  When we get our students thinking and asking questions the right questions we know we are doing our job.  In the classroom of today we have to incorporate the technology .  Our students are the digital natives and they learn in different ways tha that of the students before them.  The technology will help us help them to  become productive members of society.  Technology is everywhere and it is not going away.  Technology is everywhere and in almost everything that we do. Properly used, technology can assist us to help our students with expereince and knowledge that t they need to get along in the years to come. We can not afford to lag in this department.

Cut and Paste No More

In my classroom I use different strategies to get my lessons across to the students.  I only see my students a few moments out of the week and want them to get the most out of what I want them to learn.  Most of my students are visual  learners which makes it an easy task when I want images from the computer to share visuals of what we are learning.  I can remember when we did not have technology in the classroom, we would have to cut and past images, and make our own stencils for the bulletin boards, etc.  I do not take advantage of my computer, but I do appreciate what it has to offer me and I use it when I am teaching.  I do use it for many things.  Our students come from a digital age and they are use to a quick learning style.  I am slow at making sure that the I am continually incorporating the technology in my classroom but I know that is possible and needed.  I want our students to do a podcast with one our departments.  We can share this with the families and they too can continue to enjoy what the students are learning.

Students become the teachers!!!!

I  like to create my own materials to teach my students.  I do not have a materials that are available to me, so that makes it fun to devise my own materials.  I like to use my Smart Board when delivering my lessons.  The students can see, hear and repeat what they are learning.  Some of the topics that I cover for the students are:

• Things around the house
• Greetings
• Classroom Directives
• Weather words
• Numbers
• Animals
• Relatives
• Emotions
• and much more

In order for my students to use and practice what they have learned in class we make hands on activities to bring home to share with families, then they become the teachers.