I enjoyed using the inquiry process to complete my final research class project. In hopes to improve the usage in our zSpace lab I discuss how I can actively get our staff more involved in the lab at our school. Check out my project write up to see how I used the inquiry process to enact change at my school!
I recently finished a masters assignment that required me to analyzed and think critically about data. I had used data previously as a means to plan my instruction. In my new role as a technology teacher my instruction is less driven by data and more driven by the ISTE Standards. For this assignment I examined preexisting data around Augmented (AR) and Virtual Realities (VR).
The assignment allowed me to investigate how AR and VR is used in the classroom and how it can effect student engagement and academics. I learned a lot about data literacy though this assignment. I learned that it is important to find reliable sources, analyze data that comes from a good size test group, and how to use data to learn more about a given topic.
This assignment has intrigued me to create a data literacy unit for my middle school students. I want to teach them to become data literate. I hope to create a credible sources unit that will teach my students how to analyze websites and understand information they find.Completing this Data Literacy project has allowed me to strengthen my inquiry skills. Critically analyzing previously existing data has allowed me to form questions around my current teaching position and connections to my schools zSpace lab. I am anxious to engage my middle school students in a data literacy project as well. Teaching them inquiry skills and showing them how to analyze data will benefit them as they enter the workforce in the future. I hope to engage them in a data literacy project that focuses around the content they are studying in Social Studies.
As a part of my Research class, I conducted a career inquiry project. I explored a few careers in the business world. I often find myself wondering what other career positions I could hold with an elementary education degree. I learned a lot about Scholastic and Google and found a few potential careers that I am qualified for at both companies.
Using the inquiry process allowed me to explore careers outside of the traditional education classroom. This assignment was both fun and challenging. I had to look at academic articles with a questioning mindset. I had to create a plan in which I would explore careers that did not directly involve teaching. By researching I was able to identify careers that I would be qualified for.
As a part of my Crafting eLearning Experiences class, I was tasked with creating an online course. At first, I was over come with feelings of anxiety and stress. How could I as an elementary teacher create a class that is entirely online?
I quickly decided to build a Google Site that would act as a road map for my course. I chose to create a 3 session class based off of Internet Safety. It is so important that my students learn and understand the importance of this subject and how it directly impacts their life.
I have successfully complete the creation of the course and am now going to figure out how I can weave this course into my direct instruction in my classroom.
As I complete my 11th year of teaching in elementary classrooms, I am ready to take the leap into the technology world! I am eager and ready to find a technology teaching position. In an attempt to market myself I have created a website to showcase some of the ideas I have in regards to teaching technology as a specials class. This website represents K-5 technology. The website acts as a simple way to present basic ideas. This website will hopefully be utilized in interview situations to help my prospective employer understand the project ideas I have.
Code Blue PBL Experience
As part of the 5th grade standards, students learn about different body systems. This year my students participated in a project based learning opportunity that allowed them to become experts in the body systems!
Students became doctors! Each student identified the doctor they would like to become and began to research their specific body system.
- Orthopedic surgeon
- Neurologist
- Gastroenterologist
- Cardiologist
- Pulmonologist
After researching and becoming an expert doctor, hospital groups were assigned (1 type of doctor in each hospital). Each hospital group was given a patient. The doctors came up with a treatment plan for the patient and created a Google slideshow to showcase how they would treat the patient based on each body system.
After completing the Google slide shows we invited staff and families in to present the patient treatment plans!
For INTE5340 I was assigned a classmate to “remix”. After viewing her website, blog posts, and Twitter account I chose to remix some of her “Daily Create” assignments from her Twitter page. This challenge was very hard for me. It was hard thinking of a creative way to change her work. I altered it by using a cartoon app on my phone to change the pictures, added music to the Adobe Spark show, and added text and audio to tell the story. I am now interested in remixing other things and teaching my students about remixing.
10 Ways
I completed a challenge for my #inte5340 Digital Story Telling Class. We were asked to find a way to come up with 10 ways to do something and post it to Twitter. I discovered the Padlet app. Padlet is an interactive sticky note board that allows you to organize information.
I decided I would do 10 ways to say “Hello” I took 10 short videos of people saying “hello” in different languages and posted them to the padlet board.
Collaborative Trends in Education
As part of INTE 6750 (Trends masters class) I participated in a collaborative group project. I worked with three other professionals to create a website that explores the trend of Collaboration in education today. The website takes a close look at different collaborative strategies within a K-12 education setting, higher education setting, and the corporate world!
Change Project
Using a new curriculum can be a challenging process for anyone involved. At my school, Virginia Court, we have begun to use New York Engage to teach math. It is a very challenging curriculum. Teachers are in need a more professional development in order to be successful in using this new tool.
Check out my Change Project to see how I plan to improve our schools professional development for this new curriculum!
Mystery Skype
Geography is an important 5th grade skill. I believe that my students need to have an understanding of the United States and their locations. Many of my students have not had the opportunity to travel outside their current city (Aurora, CO). Thinking back to my days as a 5th grader I can vividly remember being given a blank map and having to fill in each state and capitol within a certain amount of time. I was never able to successfully do this. I wanted a more hands on and creative approach with my own students. I stumbled upon Mystery Skype and was instantly amazed with it’s power!
Mystery Skype connects classrooms from around the world with each other.Students ask yes or no questions to another classroom and have to figure out what state or country that class is from. Not only does it allow students to learn more about different countries and states but it requires students to use high levels of questioning and requires them to use listening and speaking skills to communicate.
Check out our first Mystery Skype last spring!
SWAY
SWAY is a Microsoft online program that allows adults and children to make interactive slide shows. Check out some pictures of my students in action making their first SWAY.
I am thrilled to announce our classroom website! This is the first year I have had a classroom website and I am so excited to get the link into the hands of students and parents!
The purpose of this website is to
- keep parents posted about upcoming dates and important events
- offer opportunities for parents to learn about what we are doing in reading, writing, math, social studies, and science
- showcase WOW work from students
- post pictures for parents and families to see
It’s an on going work in progress but it’s been a fun way to share our learning with the community!
https://sites.google.com/a/aurorak12.org/mrs-sandler-s-5th-grade/
Allison Sandler 