#3 INTASC Standard

The INTASC Model Core Teaching Standards

Standard #1: Learner Development

Performances:
1(a):  As a teacher I need to regularly assess the needs of my students.
1(b):  Developmentally appropriate learning must be a part of my instruction.
1(c):  To be successful with student learning, collaborating with home is key.

Essential Knowledge:
1(d):  Teachers need to understand how learning occurs.
1(e):  Teachers need to also understand the development influences on student learning.
1(f):  As a teacher, I need to be able to identify student readiness for learning.  What are the skill levels students have when they first come into your class?
1(g):  The role of language and culture on student achievement is also key for achievement.  What expectations do parents, the students themselves and the community have?

Critical Discipline:
1(h):  An awareness of differing strengths and needs of students is important to challenge all students.
1(i):  Understanding strengths as a basis for growth and needs as opportunities for learning is helpful in designing and implementing instruction.
1(j):  As a teacher, I must to take responsibility for student achievement.
1(k):  As an instructor, it's important to value input and contributions of families, colleagues and other professionals so that student learn in ways that are relevant, accessible and challenging.

#2 Technology Tool: Assignment Calendar

An assignment calendar is an excellent tool for communicating with students and parents what we're learning in class.  It will help when students are trying to stay organized and keep up with due dates.  It will aid students who have been absent or are trying to get caught up on late/missing work.  It's also a communication tool with parents.  When I get more proficient I would like to be able to  have students download assignments and have hyperlinks to course materials or resources.  I'm a novice with technology so an assignment calendar is a great technology for me.  Next year, I will have to learn Synergy for attendance and grading, so it will be a lot for me to learn.  In the past, assignment calendars were found on accessed by going to the school website and then finding a link to teacher websites.  An assignment calendar doesn't need any additional vocabulary.  I've had parents ask me to enter assignments into eSIS before they were due or even graded so that they could keep their students on track.  The problem was that other students and parents would not read due dates or remember what we were learning and get upset.  By briefly recording what we did and what is due on an assignment calendar, I will have an effective communication tool for students and parents.

#1 Preface-Ch.1-Ch.2 Reading

The ADDIE (analyze, design, develop, implement, evaluate) instructional design model is helpful when making decisions about when and how to use technology in the classroom.  One instructional problem I had last year was the amount of absences and missing work I had in my classes.  The learner characteristics I had were that students would soon give up without a lot of support.  The text analysis piece was communicating what they missed.  Frequently, I would speak with them before class or when we had work time in class.  An instructional objective I have is to post an assignment calendar.  The design would involve careful planning to have a current communication tool.  Instructional strategies would involve pair and group learning each day as well as individual and whole class activities.  The model I use is the gradual release of responsibility.  Designing the message on an assignment calendar would have: the date of class, homework due or collected, content/language objectives, list of activities, in-class work completed and if homework is assigned.  The third aspect of this model is develop and involves the development of instruction by being focused on Common Core and objectives in my PLC groups.  The fourth aspect of ADDIE is implement and I will start this assignment next school year for my two preps.  The last aspect of ADDIE is to evaluate and the model says to check along the each step (summative, formative, confirmative evaluation, revising).  An assignment calendar that is accessible on my teacher website will be an effective communication tool for students and parents.  Students will be able to stay on track with due date, catch up if they have been absent, and communicate with parents.

Introduction

Hello!
I'm excited about using more technology in my classroom and helping my students be successful using technology too.