For many students today, learning through chalk and talk and worksheets is not nearly as engaging as blogging, video creation, and collaborating in online environments. Many students today are digital natives who communicate much differently than thirty years ago. While the way we learn through drill and practice, multi-sensory experiences, scaffolding, and analogy have remained reliable over the years, the mediums for which we bring this to the students have changed. Students have come to expect technology in the classroom because it is part of their lives. Being attached to phones, computers, and online communities makes it necessary for the educational community to connect with them through similar mediums.
Additionally, emerging technologies allow students to be more creative than ever before. Drawing in all shades of the rainbow with a digital stylus, using three different apps to make one digital product, and creating virtual polar bear habitats within Minecraft are just a few of the ways in which students today are stretching their creative skills with technology. I feel that it is my duty as a teacher to design learning experiences that allow students to explore their creativity using these tools. In science class, students created their own blogs on a topic of their choice relating to science. One notable student blog was "Pass, Set, Hit, Volleyball and How it Relates to Volleyball." The blog centered on how players could improve their game by knowing the science behind volleyball. Aside from blogs, I discovered a wonderful app called Explain Everything. With it, I decided to flip my classroom two years ago. I wanted more face-to-face time with students while they were working and this was the perfect opportunity. I created 60 videos in the first year and published them to Vimeo.com. Students no longer had to struggle with difficult physics problems at home with their parents; they could tackle their questions at school with their teacher and friends. Following a successful year of flipping my classroom, I learned that students could enjoy the same benefit of creating the same types of videos. In 2013, students made the first ever physics tutorial videos for their class. Their videos were uploaded to their own YouTube pages and added to a community playlist for all students and the world to access. Students who are given creative opportunities and a little encouragement can make amazing products and learn a great deal in the process.
Additionally, emerging technologies allow students to be more creative than ever before. Drawing in all shades of the rainbow with a digital stylus, using three different apps to make one digital product, and creating virtual polar bear habitats within Minecraft are just a few of the ways in which students today are stretching their creative skills with technology. I feel that it is my duty as a teacher to design learning experiences that allow students to explore their creativity using these tools. In science class, students created their own blogs on a topic of their choice relating to science. One notable student blog was "Pass, Set, Hit, Volleyball and How it Relates to Volleyball." The blog centered on how players could improve their game by knowing the science behind volleyball. Aside from blogs, I discovered a wonderful app called Explain Everything. With it, I decided to flip my classroom two years ago. I wanted more face-to-face time with students while they were working and this was the perfect opportunity. I created 60 videos in the first year and published them to Vimeo.com. Students no longer had to struggle with difficult physics problems at home with their parents; they could tackle their questions at school with their teacher and friends. Following a successful year of flipping my classroom, I learned that students could enjoy the same benefit of creating the same types of videos. In 2013, students made the first ever physics tutorial videos for their class. Their videos were uploaded to their own YouTube pages and added to a community playlist for all students and the world to access. Students who are given creative opportunities and a little encouragement can make amazing products and learn a great deal in the process.
Level 1 Artifacts - Give evidence of knowledge of current research
Level 2 Artifacts - Give evidence of application of this knowledge in one’s current or future vocation
Level 3 Artifacts - Gives evidence of research, innovation and or leadership in one’s organization and beyond in helping others apply this knowledge.