Project Evaluation Blog Entry
This TechQuest project has certainly assisted my growth as an educator. I have become aware of the benefits and drawbacks of utilizing the internet and stand alone instructional resources to educate students.
Stand-alone instructional resources are wonderful tools for students that are highly and internally motivated. Initially when I implemented my project, I saw students eager to master skills through technology. However, in the past week I have also come across students on academic probation that have mandatory tutoring, and that are highly unproductive. This immediately became a problem, given that the classroom website does not hold the students accountable for what they accomplish. I would construct another project of this type differently. I would require each student to create their own electronic portfolio to which they would submit all of their work. The students would need to upload their worksheets to the portfolio, as well as upload screen shots of quizzes and games. I could easily give the parents the hyperlink to their portfolio, which would encourage student dedication to the work.
One very important lesson that I learned through the completion of this project is to not re-invent the wheel. There is an unlimited amount of resources on the web waiting to be implemented. However, so many resources can overwhelm students. By creating a one stop spot for the students to learn via video, PowerPoint, games, and simulations both the teacher and student benefit. The teacher does not need to create a plethora of resources and can filter out those that are incorrect and complex. Additionally, the student does not get lost in the millions of resources on the web. One other important lesson that I learned from this project is to have an end in mind. I could have proceeded to add different algebraic information forever, if I did not have a concrete plan of what I hoped the end result would look like. A project such as mine can consume you, and can be less effective if too much information is present. It is important to be aware of your goals and important to remember that even if your classroom website does not look perfect, it is still going to benefit student learning.
In my mind, this project was a phenomenal success. I definitely plan to create a similar project again, weather I am teaching Algebra or U.S. History. Giving the students additional practice outside of the classroom is extremely beneficial. In implementing a similar project I would definitely foster a greater degree of accountability through portfolios or rubistar. In addition, I would like to collaborate with teachers from other grades. It would be great for student in Algebra II to have their teachers’ site linked to mine so that they could review past concepts. Similarly, it would be advantageous for my site to link to the Geometry teachers’ site so that my advanced students can challenge themselves with future concepts.
Stand-alone instructional resources are wonderful tools for students that are highly and internally motivated. Initially when I implemented my project, I saw students eager to master skills through technology. However, in the past week I have also come across students on academic probation that have mandatory tutoring, and that are highly unproductive. This immediately became a problem, given that the classroom website does not hold the students accountable for what they accomplish. I would construct another project of this type differently. I would require each student to create their own electronic portfolio to which they would submit all of their work. The students would need to upload their worksheets to the portfolio, as well as upload screen shots of quizzes and games. I could easily give the parents the hyperlink to their portfolio, which would encourage student dedication to the work.
One very important lesson that I learned through the completion of this project is to not re-invent the wheel. There is an unlimited amount of resources on the web waiting to be implemented. However, so many resources can overwhelm students. By creating a one stop spot for the students to learn via video, PowerPoint, games, and simulations both the teacher and student benefit. The teacher does not need to create a plethora of resources and can filter out those that are incorrect and complex. Additionally, the student does not get lost in the millions of resources on the web. One other important lesson that I learned from this project is to have an end in mind. I could have proceeded to add different algebraic information forever, if I did not have a concrete plan of what I hoped the end result would look like. A project such as mine can consume you, and can be less effective if too much information is present. It is important to be aware of your goals and important to remember that even if your classroom website does not look perfect, it is still going to benefit student learning.
In my mind, this project was a phenomenal success. I definitely plan to create a similar project again, weather I am teaching Algebra or U.S. History. Giving the students additional practice outside of the classroom is extremely beneficial. In implementing a similar project I would definitely foster a greater degree of accountability through portfolios or rubistar. In addition, I would like to collaborate with teachers from other grades. It would be great for student in Algebra II to have their teachers’ site linked to mine so that they could review past concepts. Similarly, it would be advantageous for my site to link to the Geometry teachers’ site so that my advanced students can challenge themselves with future concepts.
Labels: algebra, evaluation, online, teaching, techquest, website
posted by Brian Ericson at
11:00 AM
2 Comments:
YES! I also learned not to re-create the wheel during this class. There are a ton of resources out there and with a little time and money there is no end to what you can do with technology in the classroom. balance is so important in our teaching and not "getting consumed" is difficult. It does sound like your project was a huge success! Congrats on a job well done!
Brian,
Stand alone projects are an interesting one aren't they. It can feel that if there is not some way to make students accountable for what we are asking them to learn then all is lost with some students. It is hard when we have both ends of the spectrum concerning motivational students I know but I still feel that it's worthwhile for all of them to experience our projects and that even if they only get a little out of it, it may be something they come back to in the future.
You seem to have really thought the whole process through well and have some great ideas to make it a really solid project for the future with a lot of accountability attached. Good on you!
I'm with you on the not aiming for perfection front. I'm so glad I've put my website out there now... I could be working on it forever (and will continue to do so 'ad finitum')!
Good luck with the rest of the school year.
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