Assessing Meaningful Learning With Technology & Inspiration/Kidspiration

    

     The use of rubrics in my present day college career has dramatically increased since I first went to college back in 1988.  I personally like the rubric because it gives me something concrete to follow so that I can be sure that my assignment is done accurately according to the professor’s requirements.  A usable teaching method is to provide a rubric for student use for both formative and summative assessment purposes.  The rubric also allows the teacher an opportunity to evaluate the student's understanding of a topic by levels of performance on based on certain criteria.  I would definitely use rubrics in my classroom because this will not allow room for misunderstanding on what is specifically expected from the student on an assignment.

     Qwizdom uses advanced radio frequency technology for its clickers, which integrates with Qwizdom curriculum software so that students may take computer based assessments.  This form of student response systems not only inspires but also motivates the students as they are assessed.  It provides immediate right/wrong feedback to the student and allows them to ask for help discreetly.  One supplemental software curriculum offered is ReadySet.  This program not only assesses student progress towards mastery of specific state standards but it actually takes the time to teach the concepts.  We are a few short days away from the TAKS and would have loved to have had access to this hardware and software.  I read over a few case studies in which Texas teachers wrote on the positive impact it had on its Title 1 campus.  Maybe one day, our campus will be so fortunate to have access to it. 

     Kidspiration has been created for K – 5 learners and is known to develop strong thinking skills, strengthen reading and writing skills, and build a conceptual understanding in math.  Kidspiration's Picture View can build graphic organizers including concept maps, webs, bubble diagrams and Venn diagrams.  In math students can use manipulatives such as color tiles, pattern blocks, base ten blocks, fraction tiles and fraction boxes to build essential math skills.  I work with 3^rd grade bilingual and Kidspiration’s emphasis on developing and using independent strategies such as pictorial representation of thoughts and concepts, and sight vocabulary lists aids ELL students in building vocabulary and English comprehension.  .  This software is wonderful for visual learners and is capable of engaging the students. 

References

Audience Response Systems | Electronic Voting | Interactive Learning | Qwizdom. Web. 21 Apr. 2011. <http://www.qwizdom.com/?gclid=CNLygeH3mpcCFQZqswodWV6D-g>.

"Kidspiration - The Visual Way to Explore and Understand Words, Numbers and Concepts | Inspiration.com." Inspiration Software, Inc. - The Leader in Visual Thinking and Learning | Inspiration.com. Web. 21 Apr. 2011. <http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration>.

Rubric, Rubrics, What Is a Rubric?,Sample Rubrics, Holistic Rubrics, Free, Downloadable, Rubric Links, Rubrician,Templates, - Rubrician.Com. Web. 21 Apr. 2011. http://www.rubrician.com/

Digital storytelling

     Digital storytelling by Kate Kemker is the process of creating video through the use of cameras, videos, kidpix, storyboards and such (Jonassen, 2008).  It allows the creator to make the video come to life in such a way that it captures the viewers’ attention.  The student uses beginning, middle, and end to write the story on their storyboard prior to transferring it to a movie.  At this point, the students are given the chance to work on their own without the teacher’s assistance.   As they create their video they are also able to go back and edit their work.  Upon completion it is presented to the class and then a discussion follows.  Yes, I believe it should be integrated into the classroom.  Not only does digital storytelling improve their writing but it gives their words a voice and demonstrates their creativity in a way unlike any other. 

     The graphing calculator would aid the student in visualizing mathematical concepts (Jonassen, 2008).  This calculator plots graphs and solves simultaneous equations helping the student to make connections with various mathematical procedures.  I personally am a visual learner and would benefit from this calculator.  Geometric supposer and tinkerplots in which students can apply graphing and statistic problems help students who may be weak in math to visualize the problem therefore making it a little bit easier to understand the concept being taught.  I am enrolled in two math courses this summer and will definitely look into the tools mentioned in Chapter 9 for help. 

     I do not think that watching television alone allows us to learn completely unless it is followed with hands on.  For example, just watching the youtube video on creating an interactive powerpoint did not help me to create one.  I had to watch the video while at the same time I played around with the powerpoint software.

References

Jonassen, Howland, Marra, and Crismond (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology (3rd ed.).  Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:  Pearson Education, Inc.