902- Final Reflection
Final Reflection
Final Reflection
I am sure that more than three things from this course have been transformational to my teaching, but the three that stand out the most to me were the Orange Slice extension, creating a website with the new sites, and Google Sheets.
I am sure that more than three things from this course have been transformational to my teaching, but the three that stand out the most to me were the Orange Slice extension, creating a website with the new sites, and Google Sheets.
Orange Slice: this is the extension that I have been looking for, for a while. I previously found another extension similar to Orange Slice, but as I tried to maneuver it without instruction, I became discouraged and dumped the idea all together. When I learned about the functionality of Orange Slice, I knew I would use it, and I did the following day in class and will continue to use it. I am pretty big on the use of rubrics. I believe that it keeps me objective when grading and lets the students know exactly what is expected of them and what area they need to improve. I am also a fan of allowing students to provide and receive feedback from their peers, for two, well actually three reasons. Reason 1 is that students are able to view model writing and look at an example and think, wow, this is great- I should create like this- how can I transform my writing into something like this. Reason 2 is that the see what the errors look like, they understand what I mean when I say that I should not have to search for understanding, they get what I am talking about when I say readability- can your reader read your writing without being confused? Does it make sense? This is important when you have a group of 13 year olds that are in a hurry. And lastly, my truth, reason 3 is so that the dear teacher does not have to grade 65 essays. Students really get immediate feedback. I always allow them the option to re-do their work (very few ever do this unfortunately) or to have me re-check the assignment if they don’t agree with the grade. So now let me explain how Orange Slice fits in- no more copying rubrics, no more confusion on who provided feedback, and the document and the rubric are on the same page and easier to access for the student. It is a win-win for everyone!
Orange Slice: this is the extension that I have been looking for, for a while. I previously found another extension similar to Orange Slice, but as I tried to maneuver it without instruction, I became discouraged and dumped the idea all together. When I learned about the functionality of Orange Slice, I knew I would use it, and I did the following day in class and will continue to use it. I am pretty big on the use of rubrics. I believe that it keeps me objective when grading and lets the students know exactly what is expected of them and what area they need to improve. I am also a fan of allowing students to provide and receive feedback from their peers, for two, well actually three reasons. Reason 1 is that students are able to view model writing and look at an example and think, wow, this is great- I should create like this- how can I transform my writing into something like this. Reason 2 is that the see what the errors look like, they understand what I mean when I say that I should not have to search for understanding, they get what I am talking about when I say readability- can your reader read your writing without being confused? Does it make sense? This is important when you have a group of 13 year olds that are in a hurry. And lastly, my truth, reason 3 is so that the dear teacher does not have to grade 65 essays. Students really get immediate feedback. I always allow them the option to re-do their work (very few ever do this unfortunately) or to have me re-check the assignment if they don’t agree with the grade. So now let me explain how Orange Slice fits in- no more copying rubrics, no more confusion on who provided feedback, and the document and the rubric are on the same page and easier to access for the student. It is a win-win for everyone!
New Google Sites: I honestly never thought I would be able to create my own website. I was even excited when I got to use the template for the old sites and that was working out. After the session on the new Google site when it was suggested that we switch over to the new sites, it was a little nerve wracking. And, I did it. There were definitely times of frustration. I think on the second blog post I almost punched my computer screen, I have not been that frustrated in a long time. I was having avery hard time moving videos and images around. Things were just not working for me. But, I took a few deep breaths and make another attempt and I was able to fix it. Although I know I am not an expert, yet, I am still willing to try this out with my students because what I have learned is that mistakes are only temporary. I will be using the new google sites for my final project and I am considering having students create one that they will add to throughout the year. I am actually going to collaborate with our school counselor on how to design a digital portfolio for our middle school student to chronicle their journey in career exploration. We started a Career Week last year, and would like to create tasks that are done each year and think that a digital portfolio will be the way for students to keep it all together. I am not sure how, but for this project I get to be the expert.
New Google Sites: I honestly never thought I would be able to create my own website. I was even excited when I got to use the template for the old sites and that was working out. After the session on the new Google site when it was suggested that we switch over to the new sites, it was a little nerve wracking. And, I did it. There were definitely times of frustration. I think on the second blog post I almost punched my computer screen, I have not been that frustrated in a long time. I was having avery hard time moving videos and images around. Things were just not working for me. But, I took a few deep breaths and make another attempt and I was able to fix it. Although I know I am not an expert, yet, I am still willing to try this out with my students because what I have learned is that mistakes are only temporary. I will be using the new google sites for my final project and I am considering having students create one that they will add to throughout the year. I am actually going to collaborate with our school counselor on how to design a digital portfolio for our middle school student to chronicle their journey in career exploration. We started a Career Week last year, and would like to create tasks that are done each year and think that a digital portfolio will be the way for students to keep it all together. I am not sure how, but for this project I get to be the expert.
Google Sheets: I really did not think that with teaching ELA and History that I would ever have the need for Google sheets. Our district does not really ask us to analyze a bunch of data, but as a grade level we did set a goal to raise our CAASSP scores to more than Standard Met by ten percent and also by ten percent in the areas of Reading Informational Text and Listening. I have been able to create a spreadsheet analyzing the data from last year and comparing it with the Interim Assessment Blocks that we have taken this year. It is very easy for me to see who has scores that have improved and who has scores that have not. I can easily share the information with my students as well. So, even though I am not one to analyze data all day, this is an easy way for me to keep all the information together and share the combined data with my students to encourage them to progress to their goals.
Google Sheets: I really did not think that with teaching ELA and History that I would ever have the need for Google sheets. Our district does not really ask us to analyze a bunch of data, but as a grade level we did set a goal to raise our CAASSP scores to more than Standard Met by ten percent and also by ten percent in the areas of Reading Informational Text and Listening. I have been able to create a spreadsheet analyzing the data from last year and comparing it with the Interim Assessment Blocks that we have taken this year. It is very easy for me to see who has scores that have improved and who has scores that have not. I can easily share the information with my students as well. So, even though I am not one to analyze data all day, this is an easy way for me to keep all the information together and share the combined data with my students to encourage them to progress to their goals.
IEC G+ Community: Honestly, the G+ Community has been a little disappointing to me. It does not seem like a lot of people post, and I see Lindsay everyday, so we share all of our resources. I did watch an interesting video about millenials that someone (not sure who because of user name) posted and it really make sense that young people think differently than we do based on what they have experienced. It made me open my eyes to perspective and what I expect them to see, but at the same time, do I really see it from their viewpoint? I am excited to see what others will post when they dive into their elective courses and what I will learn from them.
IEC G+ Community: Honestly, the G+ Community has been a little disappointing to me. It does not seem like a lot of people post, and I see Lindsay everyday, so we share all of our resources. I did watch an interesting video about millenials that someone (not sure who because of user name) posted and it really make sense that young people think differently than we do based on what they have experienced. It made me open my eyes to perspective and what I expect them to see, but at the same time, do I really see it from their viewpoint? I am excited to see what others will post when they dive into their elective courses and what I will learn from them.
Project Status: I still want to create a website with my colleague, Lindsay, in regards to implementing the new California History Framework with the CCSS. I still believe at this point I am taking in a lot of ideas. Lindsay and I have asked our district to send us to a framework training at the end of January, but have yet to have it approved. So, my fingers are still crossed. I like some of the Edu Protocols that I have learned about such as the Iron Chef and Mini-Reports and would like to incorporate them into the curriculum as well as project based learning. So, as of now, I am still learning and processing, but I have the same desired result.
Project Status: I still want to create a website with my colleague, Lindsay, in regards to implementing the new California History Framework with the CCSS. I still believe at this point I am taking in a lot of ideas. Lindsay and I have asked our district to send us to a framework training at the end of January, but have yet to have it approved. So, my fingers are still crossed. I like some of the Edu Protocols that I have learned about such as the Iron Chef and Mini-Reports and would like to incorporate them into the curriculum as well as project based learning. So, as of now, I am still learning and processing, but I have the same desired result.
Electives: I have made progress! I have registered for my first elective and introduced myself. It is not much,but it is progress. I know the first assignment is a bunch of reading and then I will create a sketch of Website that is to include at least four pages. I think I have enough ideas right now to fill up four pages, but I am also sure that the readings will give me more ideas. I plan to finish this elective prior to returning to school from Christmas break and then registering for my second elective.
Electives: I have made progress! I have registered for my first elective and introduced myself. It is not much,but it is progress. I know the first assignment is a bunch of reading and then I will create a sketch of Website that is to include at least four pages. I think I have enough ideas right now to fill up four pages, but I am also sure that the readings will give me more ideas. I plan to finish this elective prior to returning to school from Christmas break and then registering for my second elective.