Thursday, April 29, 2010

Problematic ITSE Standard 2

I think I have my PD plan as it relates to Standard 2 all wrong. I like different components of my goal. However, my goal isn't completely consistent with my long term and short term plan. Neither are completely consistent with the standard. Much of my plan is too vague.
In order to achieve better alignment among all strata, I much address my need to understand what assignments and strategies are age appropriate for my new students. (I begin teaching lower school students, for the first time, next fall.) I need to contact the media specialist and/or librarian to assess technology access and capabilities. I think developing units that integrate comprehensible input methods (a teaching method that I use) and technology fits better here. Then I can develop a wiki page for each. Assessment seems to be the most difficult component for each one of my plans for each one of the ITSE Standards. I need to think about methods through which I achieve success. How do I measure it and how do I modify it/them.
This has proven difficult for me. It seems, on the surface, sufficiently straight forward. However, moving all the pieces into the correct position and sequence are challenging.
Below is ITSE Standard 2 and my PD plan as it sits idle, waiting for direction and inspiration from the talented and capable hands of the 5513ers I have come to know and respect. Thank you for taking time to read this mess. Please comment. (with hatchet in hand is okay)

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes identified in the NETS S. Teachers:
a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools to promote student learning and creativity.
b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies and abilities using digital tools and resources.
d. Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

Current Abilities: I use google maps and video clips to promote cultural and geographic knowledge. I use differentiated instruction strategies.
Need: To learn what is appropriate for elementary age students.
Goal: To produce video of culturally authentic subjects. To provide summative assessments.
Short Term Plan: Before the end of this summer, I will discuss my plan with native Spanish speaking friends.
Long Term Plan: I will produce one cultural authentic video using imovie.
Assessment: I will be successful when I have used the video to assess students. I will check to see the number of times I have assessed students in this way each quarter.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Old Dog views future...present

How did people of the generation who were born when horses were the most efficient mode of transportation and lived to see moon landings and cellular phones handle that shift in the world?

I wrote a web address on the chalkboard of my classroom. (yes, I know) I asked students to copy it down for future use. Then, in a moment of clarity, I announced," However you save information is fine with me. You may use your phone or any other devise." Wow, that was something that only this semester have I said before. Some students entered the address "the old fashioned way" in their phones. It was quaint. Then something new for me happened. A few students tried to photograph it but it was a long address and I had written it big enough where it spanned the entire length of the board. So they side stepped along its length shooting video. I saw it. I felt it. It frightened me.

When events like this occur, we should learn from them. I hope to get there. I will get there. For now, I'm still nervous.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

The Hardest Thing...

Teaching second language involves teaching the target culture. I have vacationed and traveled in Mexico since I was in high school. (vacationing and traveling are different) I have traveled in Colombia. I honeymooned in Costa Rica. I lived in Venezuela for a while in the 1990's. I have native Spanish speaking friends here in the US. I read books on the culture and history of Spain and Latin America. None of these experiences give me the level cultural competency I feel needed to be an upper echelon second language teacher. The seemingly, only way to address this deficiency is to move to a Spanish speaking country for a prolonged period. I just cannot see how to achieve this goal at the present time. I have a wife and two young children. I have professional responsiilities. Please share any ideas you may have. Thank you.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Target Audience Strategy

My focus for this assignment is placed on my Spanish 2 students. A webquest, found on page 138 of Teaching ELL through Technology, is the strategy I believe best suited for my lesson plan. I will build a webquest for students to research Diego Rivera,a Mexican muralist. Students will use information found in the webquest to produce a power point which will also contain examples of Rivera's work and photographs or video of student artwork based on the artists work. Students will work in collaborative groups.