https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn EDUC 352 en-us 2018-04-03 20:47:50 UTC 2023-05-28 04:00:32 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Apple.png amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248311002 I put these topics together, because I think that differentiating instruction is a part of working within the UDL framework. For me,  I make sense of differentiating instruction as presenting the information to my students in more ways than one, and doing the same thing when it comes to having them engage in a topic and assessing their levels of understanding. The term "differentiating" implies that there needs to be something "different" incorporated into the lesson. Ultimately, whenever I hear the term "differentiating," I think of it as providing alternative ways of instructing, engaging, and assessing the students throughout a lesson in order to better meet their learning needs. And this fits perfectly within the UDL framework, since the main component of working within that framework is utilizing "multiples" in each component of the learning process - representation, action & expression, and engagement.]]> 2018-04-03 21:17:56 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248311002 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248533706 Technology in the classroom, to me, is incorporating technology in the classroom to enhance student learning. There are a variety of ways to incorporate it, and a variety of technologies to choose from. It also provides a way to differentiate instruction and assess students in an alternative way. It's also a way to quickly and easily gather data in regards to the students' levels of understanding. It is important to remember, however, that it MUST be used with a purpose and not solely be used just because it's available. The SAMR Model provides a good framework to see how technology is being used and for what purpose it is being used for. As previously stated, technology should not be used just for the sake of using it. And along with its intended purpose, students will also be able to acquire 21st century skills (the 4 C's) through its incorporation in the classroom - skills that will benefit them in today's society and workforce. ]]> 2018-04-04 15:09:33 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248533706 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248557313 A syllabus is more than just a set of rules. While rules do make up a component of it, a syllabus includes much more - all of which help set the tone and expectations of the class in a clear, precise way so that the words may not be "twisted" per se. It includes necessary items like the course objectives and description, needed materials, and the accommodations for students with disabilities statement. It also includes the teacher's philosophy, with the purpose that students will understand how the instructor approaches the course and the role that both the teacher and the students will play in the learning process. In addition to these items, the necessary housekeeping, day-to-day procedures are included (like food/drink policy, homework policy, etc.) so that questions surrounding these elements and issues concerning these elements are reduced and class management may be less of a task to conquer. ]]> 2018-04-04 15:55:57 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248557313 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248558513 Throughout the course of the semester, my perception of this topic has definitely changed. Whenever I heard "differentiation" before this course, it immediately scared me and made me feel like I had to do a billion more things to be effective in the classroom. Yet, as we have explored all the ways you can differentiate instruction - big or small - I have realized that, yes, I will have to put in a little more work than just preparing a general lesson plan but it is way less scary. I have explored so many ways and ideas to differentiate within a unit, whether they be major or minor ways, that the intimidation of "differentiation" has been drastically reduced. I also really appreciated being given math-specific differentiation ideas, and by using these ideas, I think I have become better at differentiating within my specific subject. An easy way to do this, as one of the math -specific articles pointed out, is asking open questions instead of specific ones. This is an easy accommodation to make to a lesson plan and really opens up the floor for student answers.

]]> 2018-04-04 15:58:03 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248558513 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248561252 My perception on this topic has changed as I have become more informed of the kinds of technology that can be used in the classroom and for what purpose. I have always known that technology should be used with a purpose, but this course has drastically opened my eyes to identify this purpose and what technology best fits this purpose. Before this class, I had never heard of most of the technologies we discussed, so I now have a bigger selection from which to choose from when looking to incorporate technology into my future classroom. And by using the SAMR model, I am able to better recognize the purpose for which the technology is being used and decipher between if the technology is necessary or not. I have also realized that technology can play a very beneficial role in the learning process and, by using it appropriately, a teacher can really accentuate these benefits throughout its utilization. Ultimately, my perception of technology has become more positive and appreciative of the tool.

]]> 2018-04-04 16:03:39 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248561252 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248582050 Over the course of the semester, my perception of a syllabus has changed entirely. Before this course, I thought it was just a set of rules and policies that a teacher has students go through on the first day of class with not a lot of implication throughout the course after that first day. Yet, like I explained above, it is much more than that and can have a major impact on the class environment. Also, after writing my own syllabus, I realized how specific it must be in case a special situation arises. Going from a student who just reads the syllabus to someone who actually creates the syllabus has really opened my eyes to all the time, effort, and precision that goes into a syllabus and why they are necessary to have.]]> 2018-04-04 16:48:28 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248582050 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248582130 To me, leading an effective discussion involves asking purposeful, thoughtful questions that allow for multiple opinions/answers from multiple people. Beyond just formulating and asking good questions, there are other elements that are necessary in making a discussion an effective component of class. Like we learned, students must be given time to process the question (pausing), be challenged to think deeper (probing),  be heard and assessed in an equitable way across the board (bouncing), and listen to each other (tagging). Discussions should ultimately be done in a way that adds to student learning. ]]> 2018-04-04 16:48:37 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248582130 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248582175 Before this course, I had originalIy thought that a good discussion just meant that good, open-ended questions are asked by the teacher. However, I have learned that it's not just asking a good question and waiting for students to respond - it's much more than that. Part of leading and maintaining an effective discussion involves making sure all voices/ideas are heard and represented, and asking questions in a way that allows for this kind of equitable representation and for multiple responses and opinions. Being able to practice this by leading a Hot Moment really made me think about how I should organize the discussion and think purposefully about my actions - a very important part of being a teacher! Through these Hot Moments, I was also able to practice going through the awkward wait time, listening to differing opinions, and having an open, respectful mind to all responses. I really valued this experience, and I also valued what was said in the discussion and the Hot Moment scenarios themselves. In addition to the discussion component, I also learned that I am  going to encounter a variety of situations in my teaching career in which there will be no textbook answer and in which I will need to respond appropriately on the spot. Ultimately, these Hot Moment Fridays allowed me to gain valuable insight into what it means to lead an effective discussion, and gather some ideas and perspectives of how to handle very complicated situations.]]> 2018-04-04 16:48:42 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248582175 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248601496 2018-04-04 17:31:12 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248601496 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248601584 I really liked what this short article had to say about the implementation of "marker board" space and comfortable seating. I think this idea of implementation is great for math classes. It reminded me of how the Concordia science building was designed and the intentions behind providing a lot of glass windows and white boards on which students can work out problems, write out study material, practice proofs, etc. While the pencil-paper method is definitely a way for students to engage with the material, I think white boards allow for a whole different experience (and I'm saying this as a current math student who utilizes the white board space in ISC quite frequently!). It allows for students to display their thought process and to engage in meaningful conversation around what is being written on the boards. It also permits students to easily correct mistakes with a simple swipe of a hand or an eraser - a way that is easier to fix mistakes than the traditional pencil and paper. Ultimately, I think this expansion of marker board space within a classroom really promotes engagement and collaboration - two essential components in a math classroom.
I also really like the comfortable seating aspect of this initiative. Seating plays an important role in the classroom. Being able to see a large portion of the classroom and not be positioned awkwardly has an effect on student learning, so it's important that the seating be taken into consideration so that learning can be optimized. Being comfortable is also important. It can be distracting to be uncomfortable (especially in the traditional wooden desk and chair combination), so providing this kind of flexible seating can really allow students to focus more on their learning rather than this small part of the environment. ]]> 2018-04-04 17:31:25 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248601584 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248601675 Ultimately, I think this article really speaks to building community in a classroom and promoting student engagement with the content, which are two things we have discussed heavily in class. As previously mentioned, allowing students to see one another's work and also collaborate in the thought process assists in fostering an environment of inclusiveness and collaboration. This kind of collaboration can, in turn, also promote a more comfortable learning environment in which students are able and willing to share their thought processes with the class (which, in math, is not always an easy thing to do). It also allows for students to engage with the content in a way that is different from the notebook-and-pencil method. And in order for students to really practice with and grasp the material, the engagement is a necessary factor. 
The seating mentioned in this article also promotes a more collaborative, inclusive environment, as students are able to see more than just the perceived "front of the class." As the article describes, students are able to "sit on the chair in a 360-degree orientation." This small action has a big impact on the learning environment. Students feel like they are more a part of the classroom and the learning process when they are able to comfortably see the content being presented. 
We have also discussed classroom management multiple times in class, and part of this article reminded me of that. At the end, the author notes that this implementation can result in more socialization. So, when it comes to managing the classroom, it is important that the teacher set the tone and expectations at the beginning of the year to avoid multiple issues surrounding this socialization. On a side note, this may be a love/hate implementation in a middle school classroom, as middle-schoolers have a need to be social but may also abuse this opportunity. 
On a last, brief note, this implementation provides a way to differentiate instruction. As the author of this article briefly mentions at the end, "The new set-up also has led to more individualized instruction," where students can be in the same class yet do different work. This set-up permits students to choose what to work on and to work on it at their own pace, which is a small form of meeting students' learning needs by differentiating how they are processing the material.]]> 2018-04-04 17:31:35 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248601675 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248671828 2018-04-04 20:22:51 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248671828 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248672353 2018-04-04 20:24:43 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248672353 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248673477 2018-04-04 20:28:51 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248673477 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248673975 2018-04-04 20:30:45 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248673975 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248696976  I chose this image, because I think many students actually feel this way about math classes. It can be like learning a foreign language - confusing, hard to grasp, and, like the term implies, "foreign." Students may feel lost at times and become consumed by all the rules that they don't recognize the usefulness of the math course. But, as a future math teacher, it will be a major part of my role in the classroom to reverse this frustration and confusion - or even prevent it from occurring.]]> 2018-04-04 22:34:23 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248696976 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248696992 I chose this image, because I think it is very representative of all the things that are looked past as someone going into the field of education. At first glance, it sounds fun to share your passion with your students and help them learn at their highest potential. Yet, as we have all discovered throughout our education courses, teaching involves much more than just that. :) ]]> 2018-04-04 22:34:33 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248696992 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248697010 When I first saw this image, I laughed out loud. I think it is super hilarious, and can see so many of my close friends, family, and colleagues saying the same thing and relating to this image very well. Yet, it also motivates me. I don't want students to have a terrible, confusing experience that makes them feel like they are learning something completely out of their reach and that has no implications in their real lives. I want to teach math in a way that is challenging, yet fun, relevant, and meaningful all at the same time - which will definitely be a hard task to conquer but one that I am willing to take on!]]> 2018-04-04 22:34:41 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248697010 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248697022 I am a huge fan of humor, so, like the other image I chose, I thought this one was funny as well! Sometimes, I feel like teaching is sugar-coated, and we tend to forget about all of the facets underneath this coat. Not every day will be a good day, and, like the picture says, we will have to deal with kids wanting to go to the bathroom (or even yourself needing to go but not being able to leave the room), certain kinds of parents, crying because of feeling overwhelmed, etc. But amongst all this, it's important to remember why we started and the impact we are making.]]> 2018-04-04 22:34:46 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248697022 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248697043 In relation to what we have discussed and read in class, I think this picture speaks to following the UDL framework. By presenting the material in multiple ways, giving students the opportunity to practice with the material in multiple ways, and assessing them in multiple ways as well, the chances that students feel like the guy in this image are highly reduced. It is important that I provide multiple means of representation, action & expression, and engagement so that students have more opportunities to understand the material, work with the material, and show me what they know about the material. ]]> 2018-04-04 22:34:57 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248697043 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248697086 I think this image can easily connect to when we were working on creating our syllabi for this class. There are so many tedious "housekeeping" things that we must include in a syllabus that we tend to forget about or look past when deciding how to run our classroom and communicate clearly and effectively with our students and their parents. Like the picture reminded me, it is necessary to include a bathroom policy in the syllabus, even if it's just a small action that the student might take. 
Also, speaking of parents, I think this picture also correlates directly with our last class discussion on parents and how to handle the different scenarios we might encounter as teachers. With our students come their respective guardians, so we must know how to communicate with them, make their opinions feel valued, recognize the kind of environment they might have established at home with their children, and find a common ground on what we both want for their kids. Our students' parents can be half the battle some days, which I think this picture might be hinting at, so I really appreciated you reminding us that most of the parents will be awesome. :)]]> 2018-04-04 22:35:18 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248697086 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248701677 2018-04-04 23:13:55 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248701677 amelby_g https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248705717 2018-04-04 23:50:21 UTC https://padlet.com/amelby_g/459oa2xixyhn/wish/248705717