CEP 811 Reflection

In this course, I have enjoyed learning about WebQuests, StAIRS, and the UDL Principles. I really enjoyed looking through and evaluating the WebQuests. There were several WebQuests that align perfectly with my standards, and I plan on implementing them this year. My StAIR (Stand-Alone Instructional Resources) was a great opportunity for me to create something that is authentic to my own teaching and classroom needs as well as a strategy for integrating technology. The UDL Principles really helped me think about additional strategies for differentiating my instruction for the different learning styles and needs of my students. These are all great instructional resources that I can add to my toolbox and integrate into my classroom.

Most recently, I used what we learned about Wiki's and expanded upon that to create a Wiki for my middle school math department. I still have some organizing to do, but it is one piece I was proud to share. It was a great opportunity for me to show others what I have been learning as well as provide them with additional resources for their own classrooms. I'm hoping they too will add resources to our wiki throughout the year.

My goal for each class has always been to find ways to integrate technology into my classroom in a meaning and relevant way. In the past, I have sat through so many professional developments that were not relevant to what I was doing. However, with MSU, I have been so impressed with these classes so far. I have had the opportunity to not only learn but create things specifically for my students. One thing I would like to learn more about is create web page files for myself and students. Hopefully that will come with time. Overall, it has been a great experience so far, and I am looking forward to continuing this fall as I enter into the Master's program.

Online Learning Experiences

Our middle school math department will be implementing, for the first time, a web-based, artificial intelligent assessment and learning system call ALEKS (Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces). On one hand, I am very excited about this technology and the possibilities it has. On the other hand, these are still kids and that is a lot to expect from ten to fourteen year olds. I have struggled this summer to grasp just exactly what my class flow is going to look like. I think I have come up with a way to still have face-to-face instruction throughout the year. I still feel it is so important for students. I plan to provide whole group and small group instruction as well as one-to-one sessions when needed. I also realize, they probably would not like to look at the same program everyday all year long. So I have to mix it up a little.

Looking through the Guidelines for Online Learning, I see ways to incorporate more online experiences for my students. I plan to incorporate WebQuests into my classroom next year to provide students with an opportunity to explore math in another web-based environment. It also allows for a lot of creativity and game play. There are many math WebQuests already available online, but making my own would be a great personal resource. I have even thought about having the students make their own WebQuests with a partner to encourage collaboration within my students.

I would also like to incorporate online simulations into my classroom. I have found two math simulations already that provide rich math content for middle school students in a game format. They cover things from elementary geometry to cost analysis and problem solving skills. However, the two I have found probably would not keep the attention of my eighth graders even though I see how much those skills are needed. I will continue my search.

One aspect of an online learning experience that I think would be difficult to incorporate into my classroom would have to be: interactive discussions between students. I realize the importance of collaboration and group work, but find with limited time, it is so much easier to just pair them with someone already in their class. Then I can give them time to work with their groups or partners in class. I can also monitor their work along the way.

I realize I could provide them with the tools and instruction to complete these projects on their own time, but would they really complete the tasks? I bet they would surprise me, and it would probably save me class time in the long run. It is something that I will have to think about more and possibly incorporate towards the end of the year.