Free Technology for Teachers: Book Creator is Now Live for All Chromebook Users

Free Technology for Teachers: Book Creator is Now Live for All Chromebook Users

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Teacher Evaluations

The core purpose of Teacher Assessment and Evaluations should be to improve knowledge, skills, dispositions, and classroom practices of professional educators. The Assessment and Evaluations are done to contribute to Teachers’ Professional Growth and set the stage for improvements in teaching and learning.

According to the Rubric developed by InTASC, (Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium, there are 10 Model Core Teaching Standards:

1.      Learner Development

2.      Learner Differences

3.      Learning Environments

4.      Content Knowledge

5.      Application of Content

6.      Assessment

7.      Planning for Instruction

8.      Instructional Strategies

9.      Professional Learning and Ethical Practice

10.  Leadership and Collaboration.

According to the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System, the Category of 50% Student growth and 50% of the teacher evaluations. They also have an alternative system of evaluation, but it does or does not include Special Education Students.Their Alternative Teacher Evaluation system is 50% student growth, 35% Teacher Evaluation and 15% of other methods.

Louisiana Teacher Evaluations has 3 domains:

1. Planning and Preparation

2. The Classroom Environment

3.Instruction

Louisiana wanted a new system because teachers were getting paid based on tenure and not performance. The Department of Education wanted teachers to get bonuses and raises based on performance. Teachers have a different Rubric for Students with disabilities.

              Evaluations are expensive and time consuming, it is important for administrators to allot
              funding for equipment and materials. Student report cards will be a part of my evaluation of
              the teacher. If the student has a below average grade, then I will have a conference with the
             teacher to see how she is going to differentiate instruction to meet grade-level objectives.

              References
              www.education.ohio.gov
              www.nea.org/teacher evaluations
              www.louisianabelieves.gov

Innovative Strategies in Lesson Planning

The driving force of 21^st century learning is the focus of preparing our young students to be successful in today’s world. The world is changing rapidly in our digital age and so are the needs of our students, are progressing as well. My lesson unit sparks creativity and innovation. Through my students I am made aware of contributions of scientist and inventors from other countries.

It is important for teachers to learn to speak the same languages as the kids they teach. Today this in this society is becoming is becoming more conversant with the technology, that comes so naturally to the young, integrating things your students are interested in is a great way to draw them in. Pay attention to current trends.

Education experts maintain that one of the most effective ways to make a lesson stick to involve the students directly. This is why we often see student skits or mock trials. Those hands-on activities can help transform a lesson into an experience. Get the students involved.

It is time for students-centered approaches. Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy in which studies of varying levels of ability work in small teams to accomplish a variety of learning activities; all with the end goal of improving overall understanding of a subject. Encourage interaction.

Sometimes connecting students with Real-World experts in a field gives them a glimpse of how their day-to-day learning can make a difference outside the walls of their classrooms.

References

www.teachervision.com

www.css.edu

www.crit.umich.edu/gsis

HIGH STAKES ASSESSMENTS

bergeron2010@gmail.com

M6U1A3  HIGH STAKES ASSESSMENTS

Standardized testing holds teachers and schools systems accountable. These tests guide teachers

to help them determine what to teach, when to teach, and they also give parents a good idea of how their children are doing as compared  to students across the country and locally.

Standardized tests create a lot of stress on both educators and students. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) only focuses on whether a student is proficient at the time of testing. The success of schools is depending on the performance of their students.

More than 275 four-year colleges and universities do not use the SAT or ACT to admit substantial numbers of bachelor degree applicants. However, if a student is in need Federal funding, the SAT or ACT score is mandatory.

Educational Exams are  the: GED, ASVAB, TOEFL, ACT, and the SAT.

Through 4tests.com you can take  Practice exams free. For  those that are becoming teachers, they have Praxis exams are available also.

The threat to High Stakes testing is online and computer-based testing. In addition to annual Summative exams, students face more frequent tests, often integrated with instruction. The vision is promoted by many technology vendors. and proponents is of student learning material

selected by online or computer-based adaptive assessments. New Classrooms, Dream Box, and Realize It are learning platforms that promote continuous feedback.

Multicultural Perspectives

Through Multicultural Perspectives in the classroom, my student's will gain respect an appreciate cultural diversity.My lessons are filled with ideas to enhance creativity, critical thinking and innovation.The importance of scientific discovery and invention is important to everyday life and society.

My lessons promote the understanding of unique culture and ethic heritage. Unfortunately, some teachers, have not planned a multicultural lesson. Years ago, I worked with culturally diverse  students. They enjoyed the activities, collaborated and experienced how much they had in common.

We as educators must promote the development of culturally responsible and responsive curriculum.

As educators we must facilitate acquisition of attitude skills, and knowledge. Through Multicultural

lessons we can eliminate racism and discrimination in society, and achieve social, political, economic and educational equity.

In my lessons, students will realize that the accomplishments of the past and present can serve as pathfinders to present and future engineers and scientists. African American chemists, biologists, inventors, engineers, and mathematicians have contributed in both large and small ways; that can be overlooked when chronicling the history of science. By describing the scientific history of selected African American men and women we can see the efforts of individuals have advanced human understanding in the world around us. My students will research Scientist and Inventors accomplishment from their countries.

References
Garcia, E. Education In Your Classroom. (2013).
www.teachhub.com

www.nameorg.org

Standards and Backwards Mapping

     

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STANDARDS AND BACKWARDS MAPPING

LESSON TITLE: Enable 3D Mechanical Hand Project

TIME SEGMENT: Week One- Project-Based

SUBJECT: Integrated-Math/Science/Technology/Engineering

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School-California Common Core State Standards

This Standard MS-ETS1-1 was selected because I have a genuine interest in projects that assist patients that on Medicaid in Louisiana. The poor patients that can’t afford medical are given walkers and wheel chairs. A project would benefit these patients because they will be able to work and stay productive in the workforce. This would also reduce the risk of Obesity in the United States if prostheses were available at no expense or at an affordable rate.

MS-ETSI-1. Defines the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to:

1. Ensure a successful solution; 
2. Take into account relevant scientific principles;
3. Potential impacts on people;
4. The natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

MS-LS1-3. Use argument supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.

The BIG IDEA

HOW CAN WE LEARN ABOUT PROSTHESES AND THEN CREATE A MECHANICAL DEVICE OF A CHILD BORN WITH NO  FINGERS ON ONE HAND?

MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES TO BE ADDRESSED AND ASSESSMENTS

1. Research human limbs knowledge, and anatomy and physiology.
   Formative assessment-Vertebrate limb comparison reading summary.
2. Understand the factors that can affect limb structure and function.
   Formative assessment-Vertebrate limb jigsaw teaching activity and assessment.
3. Consider the history of human prosthetic use.
   Formative assessment-Chicken wing dissection lab report.
   TEACHING STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
   Introduction-Presentation on:

1. How Enable devices work and why are they being used?
2. Introduction to vertebrae limbs.
3. Science lab; dissection of chicken wings.

TEACHER/STUDENT INPUT

I Do It-Accurately describe the anatomy and physiology of vertebrate limbs, including the human hand.

We Do It-Whole class discussion.

You Do It-Document materials in a journal learning log.

REVIEW

At an evening community event students will share their presentations with other students, faculty and families. Each group will share an online video of “How eNable devices work, and why they are used?” They will also ensure recipients that the 3D printed and constructed device gets to the recipient.

DISCUSSION TOPICS

Class discussion on how Prostheses can help adults when they lose a limb?

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES FOR LESSON

As part of the project launch, students have a Skype conversation with a volunteer or recipient, in order to better understand the significance of the work that students are about to undertake.

Community Resources-

1. eNABLE contacts, building guides and videos.
2. Family presentation onsite
3. Tech Department personnel.
4. Chicken wing dissection kits
5. Materials for grabber construction
6. Materials for Enable hand construction-see guides.
7. Human anatomy and physiology, Prostheses research and Grabber creation document.

MOBILE LEARNING

Mobile Technology and Mobile Learning

As mobile phones, tablets, and other connected devices become more prevalent and affordable, wireless technology can dramatically improve learning and bring digital content to students. Students love mobile technology and use it regularly in their personal lives. It therefore is no surprise that young people want to employ mobile devices to make education more engaging and personalize it for their particular needs.  

Technology-rich activities can sustain high levels of student engagement and peer collaboration compared to less technology focused activities. Educators need to figure out how to harness mobile platforms for instructional purposes and employ them to boost educational learning. A majority (52 percent) of students in grades 6-12 believe that having access to a tablet computer is an essential component of their ultimate school. Fifty-one percent of school administrators agree with these sentiments as well. 

As a country, we need to educate the next generation of scientists, inventors, engineers, and entrepreneurs. Educating a workforce that is effective in a global context and adaptive as new jobs and roles evolve will help to support our economic growth. Mobile learning makes it possible to extend education beyond the physical confines of the classroom and beyond the fixed time periods of the school day. It allows students to access content from home, communicate with teachers, and work with other people online. The value of mobile devices is that they allow students to connect, communicate, collaborate and create using rich digital resources.

Education is at a critical juncture in the United States. It is vital for workforce development and economic prosperity, yet is in need of serious reform. American education was designed for agrarian and industrial eras, and does not provide all the skills needed for a 21^st century economy.  This creates major problems for young people about to enter the labor force.

Mobile learning represents a way to address a number of our educational problems. Devices such as smart phones and tablets enable innovation and help students, teachers, and parents gain access to digital content and personalized assessment vital for a post-industrial world. Mobile devices, used in conjunction with near universal 4G/3G wireless connectivity, are essential tools to improve learning for students. As noted by Irwin Jacobs, the founding chairman of Qualcomm, Inc., “always on, always connected mobile devices in the hands of students has the potential to dramatically improve educational outcomes.”