Chapter 15 Reading Reflections

Three new things I have learned...
1.  There are a few issues in education; which include legal and policy directives; implications of the NCLB Act for special education; need for trained personnel and a universal design for learning.
2.  Teachers can use web accessibility checkers like Wave, to ensure that all pages are accessible to students with sensory and physical disabilities.
3.  Teachers have to constantly be on guard for new solutions for academic performance problems. Teachers can use resources such as Closing the Gap's Solutions database, which provides an excellent means of locating new tools for students with disabilities.

Two connections to my teaching...
1.  Electronic communities are available for students to communicate with different cultures and languages, which can encourage and provide new avenues of expression for talented and gifted students.
2.  Students can develop presentations based on their research, which allows students to display their discoveries in ways that make them more independent learners.

One questions I have...
1.  Why are talented and gifted students lumped into the same category as students with learning disabilities? It seems that these are two very different problems.

Chaper 4 Reading Reflections

Three new things I have learned...
1.  There are three software tools that are considered basic educational resources; which are word processing, spread sheets and databases.
2.  For word processing, there are many productivity applications, which include creating handouts or other instructional materials, lesson plans, reports, forms, letters to parents or students, newsletters and fliers.
3.  Databases are programs that allow users to store, organize, and manipulate information, including both text and manipulate information, including both text and numerical data. A benefit of using databases is saving time locating data or updating important information.
Two connections to my learning...
1.  I can use spreadsheets to keep classroom budgets in order, prepare performance checklists and keeping grade books.  This is a great way to keep information and data organized.
2.  I can use databases for inventorying and locating instructional resources, data mining for planning and reporting, using information on students to respond to questions or perform required tasks and sending letters.
One question I have...
1.  Are all computers usually equipped with these basic resources?

Chapter 13 Reading Reflections

Three new things I have learned...
1.  There are four parts of the rationale for teaching arts in the school curriculum.  Expanding modes of expression, literacies for an Information Age, creative approaches to modern problems and arts as aesthetic balance.
2.  There are four main issues and problems in music instruction. These are redefining music literacy; training teachers to meet music standards; the intersection of popular music, technology and music education and the music director as a small business administrator.
3.  There are four main issues and problems in art instruction. These are funding for art education; ethical issues with using images; accessing images used in art education and the challenge of meeting standards in arts education.
Two connections to my teaching...
1.  Students can create short digital movies with software that comes with the computer.  This allows students to be creative and productive and the school does not have to fund another technology.
2.  School districts can save money and time by allowing students to take virtual field trips to art museums.  These virtual trips allow students to expand their knowledge base and view exhibits without ever leaving the classroom.
One question I have...
1.  It seems that taking a virtual field trip would be good for teachers and the school, but I am not convinced that this should replace actual field trips.  Do a lot of schools choose to use virtual field trips?

Reading Reflections: Classroom Assessment, Minute by Minute, Day by Day

Three new things I have learned:
1.  When using assessment while teaching, the previous approach has been teaching given material and, at the end of the marking period, testing for who has and hasn't learned the material. The article refers to the previous  approach as quality control.
2.  This article is saying that the new approach to assessment and teaching is quality assurance, where assessment for learning is involved when teaching is adjusted as needed while learning is still taking place. The emphasis is on what students are getting out of the teaching, what students are learning, as opposed to focusing on teaching.
3.  Five broad strategies can be used for teaching and seem to work well with most teachers from all content areas. These five strategies include: clarifying and sharing learning intentions and criteria for success; engineering effective classroom discussions, questions, and learning tasks; providing feedback that moves learners forward; activating students as the owners of their own learning and activating students as instructional resources for one another.
Two connections to my teaching:
1.  I think that teachers should assess as they go and make sure students are learning the material, adjusting as needed. I agree with how the article talks about making sure that the students are learning what they need to learn as the unit progresses, not just assessing at the end or test.
2.  I also like how the article talks about clarifying to students what they need to learn and what the teacher expects them to learn.  I think that it is important to address goals and let students know what we expect out of them.
One question I have:
1.  Why haven't all teachers been using this method of teaching already? It seems as though I have already learned about this is some of my other education classes, and it seems to be the best way to teach students.

Reading Reflections Chapter 12

Three new things I learned in this chapter...
1.  Virtual Field trips can be utilized for teachers and students to learn about other cultures.  Students are able to explore a wealth of images and information about other cultures, lands and ways of life without leaving the classroom.
2.  Students can use digital cameras to explore community based history and current issues.  Students can use digital photography by allowing students to capture images from their view points and participate in the construction of knowledge.
3.  Students can learn economic principals with stock market simulations.  Students can learn the complexities of the stock market by playing the role of the stockbroker, investing their "own" money and seeing the return over time.
Two connections to my teaching...
1.  Teachers have many dilemmas in teaching social studies effectively, which can be remedied by using different integration strategies. Teachers can use simulated immersion experiences to help students understand different concepts.
2.  Teachers have many different integration strategies to help students understand and grasp different concepts and ideas.  Teachers can use digital storytelling, virtual trips and graphic representations to help teach concepts.
One questions I have...
1.  Do many teachers use virtual field trips? I fee like this would help save money.

Reading Reflections Chapter 11

Three new things I learned in this chapter....
1.  Graphic calculators give students a hands on practice in solving mathematical problems.  Graphing calculators can help students do mathematical  calculations and visualize algebraic concepts in a manner that enhances understanding and problem-solving skills.
2.  Students can use the internet to obtain useful math-related information.  Students can use the internet sites are rich sources of data sets and mathematical information to answer questions.  These sites can help students see real world applications of mathematical principals.
3.  NASA internet sites can help keep students in touch with scientific events.  Through web based activities, students participate in events, such as the landing of the Mars Rover.
Two connections to my teaching...
1.  There are many strategies that can be utilized  when integrating mathematical and scientific instruction.  Teachers can use virtual manipulatives and support science concept learning.
2.  Teachers can utilize Math Problems of the Week website to try current problems and receive help with questions. Teachers and students can discuss online problems of the week and use in class.
One question I have is...
1.  Are these integration methods commonly utilized by teachers?

Chapter 10 Reading Reflections

Three new things I have learned in this chapter....
1. Issues with English Second Learners and foreign language instruction include developing academic language and background knowledge to succeed  in mainstream classes and differentiating instruction across proficiency levels for students.
2.  Other issues include integrating students native languages and authentic material and perspectives of native speakers of the target languages. Developing an audience and purpose for the assignments students produce can also be an issue for teachers and students.
3.  Some integration strategies for ESL and foreign language instruction are support for authentic oral and written practice,  presentation aids and virtual field trips for modified language immersion experiences.
Two connections to my teaching...
1.  To help integrate ESL and foreign language instruction to students who are having trouble or need motivation, I can have students use virtual collaborations and virtual field trips to help students learn.
2.  I can also make use of web based, authentic content to help students experience their native language.  These web sites are designed for native speakers of the target language can offer students written and oral text on topics that students are interested in.
One question I have about the text is...
1.  How commonly used are these language labs and virtual field trips? I don't remember learning/ using anything like this when I was in school.