This blog is devoted to teachers involved in the INTEL Teach Essentials Course. We will use this blog to reflect on modules, collaborate with peers, and to share ideas.
April 11, 2011
Module 1 Reflection
This module has made me think about my role as an instructional designer in the following ways:
In order to facilitate my students' deeper thinking into a particular topic, I have to explore deeper thinking in the designing of a lesson or unit. My students will only be willing to delve as deeply into a topic as I am willing to enable them. Students have to be allowed to explore a unit in a direction that they see is applicable in their lives; otherwise, the learning will reamin superficial.
This module has made me rethink my perspective of a curriculum/instructional designer. Perhaps my project-based learning has not been PBL after all?? I am hopeful that I will be able to redesign my curriculum to truly be project-based and student-centered. I sincerely want to become more of a facilitator.
This module has allowed me to think in terms of individual student learning.. How can I completely engage all students when short attention spans are an issue - - PROVIDE VARIETY! When developing a lesson it's important to think about all students and how you can best provide experiences in which they can each relate to. I want my students to be active participants in their learning.
This module has made me think about my role as an instructional designer by reminding me that I am only the facilitator when it comes to project-based learning. I need to learn how to control my OCD when it comes to students utilizing technology so that their learning will be more authentic and engaging.
This module has made me ask myself: Why am I teaching this unit, and what do I want my students to take from this unit? Once again, "teach with the end in mind." Also, this module has made me reflect on the 21st Century Skills, and if I am applying them to my everyday lessons. As an educator I do not want to teach just a certain skill or topic, but how does this apply to my life and real world situations.
This module has made me rethink how I can design my units. I am learning that what I thought were project based learning units were not as well designed as I had thought. I will be looking at my planning in a whole new light after this. I am looking forward to seeing this tranfer into more in depth learning in my students.
This module has given me the opportunity to think about how I can help students think deeper about a concept. At the same time if I can make it something they care about or can relate to, they are more like to stay with the activity long enough to learn the content and think about how the information is used in the real world.
One of the challenges that I think I face is the way we think of projects. Most of the time, teachers tend to give the project assignment at the end of the unit to assess the learning. However, PBL suggests that we should do the opposite--give the project assignment first and let the project guide the learning. This idea of backwards planning is sometimes hard for me to wrap my mind around.
This module has made me think about my role as an instructional designer in the following ways: 1. I want to design well-organized projects that engage my students deeply. 2. I want to be able to reflect more on what I am teaching and exactly what I am assessing.
In order to facilitate my students' deeper thinking into a particular topic, I have to explore deeper thinking in the designing of a lesson or unit. My students will only be willing to delve as deeply into a topic as I am willing to enable them. Students have to be allowed to explore a unit in a direction that they see is applicable in their lives; otherwise, the learning will reamin superficial.
ReplyDeleteThis module has made me rethink my perspective of a curriculum/instructional designer. Perhaps my project-based learning has not been PBL after all?? I am hopeful that I will be able to redesign my curriculum to truly be project-based and student-centered. I sincerely want to become more of a facilitator.
ReplyDeleteThis module has allowed me to think in terms of individual student learning.. How can I completely engage all students when short attention spans are an issue - - PROVIDE VARIETY! When developing a lesson it's important to think about all students and how you can best provide experiences in which they can each relate to. I want my students to be active participants in their learning.
ReplyDeleteThis module has made me think about my role as an instructional designer by reminding me that I am only the facilitator when it comes to project-based learning. I need to learn how to control my OCD when it comes to students utilizing technology so that their learning will be more authentic and engaging.
ReplyDeleteThis module has made me ask myself: Why am I teaching this unit, and what do I want my students to take from this unit? Once again, "teach with the end in mind." Also, this module has made me reflect on the 21st Century Skills, and if I am applying them to my everyday lessons. As an educator I do not want to teach just a certain skill or topic, but how does this apply to my life and real world situations.
ReplyDeleteThis module has made me rethink how I can design my units. I am learning that what I thought were project based learning units were not as well designed as I had thought. I will be looking at my planning in a whole new light after this. I am looking forward to seeing this tranfer into more in depth learning in my students.
ReplyDeleteThis module has given me the opportunity to think about how I can help students think deeper about a concept. At the same time if I can make it something they care about or can relate to, they are more like to stay with the activity long enough to learn the content and think about how the information is used in the real world.
ReplyDeleteOne of the challenges that I think I face is the way we think of projects. Most of the time, teachers tend to give the project assignment at the end of the unit to assess the learning. However, PBL suggests that we should do the opposite--give the project assignment first and let the project guide the learning. This idea of backwards planning is sometimes hard for me to wrap my mind around.
ReplyDeleteIt really takes in depth planning on the part of the designer to make this a productive process for students of any age.
ReplyDeleteThis module has made me think about my role as an instructional designer in the following ways: 1. I want to design well-organized projects that engage my students deeply. 2. I want to be able to reflect more on what I am teaching and exactly what I am assessing.
ReplyDelete