2.3 Authentic Learning
Candidates model and facilitate the use of digital tools and resources to engage students in authentic learning experiences. (PSC 2.3/ISTE 2c)
Artifact: Backyard Conservation - Engaged Learning Project
Reflection:
The engaged learning project was completed to demonstrate the ability to develop an extended technology-supported student learning experience that will serve as a model for others. In completing the project, I had to first identify a topic that would allow for the development of an authentic learning experience for students. In addition, the topic had to allow for the use of digital tools and resources to help enhance this learning experience. I created this engaged learning project independently after determining that ecology and the environmental impact of humans was a topic not often visited by the previous teachers of my students.
Standard 2.3 sets the expectation for the modeling and facilitation of digital tool and resources by candidates to engage students in an authentic learning experience. This artifact demonstrates my ability to develop an engaged learning project and model and facilitate the use of digital tools and resources through the implementation of this project in my classroom. The creation of this engaged learning project requires me to be able to model the use of all required digital tools and resources of the project to my students. In addition, to share this project with other teachers, I would have to model not only the digital tools and resources, but how to use these tools and resources as a facilitator and not just a student.
The implementation of the engaged learning project requires me to also be in the role of facilitator to introduce the expectations of the assignment and the required digital tools and resources students will have to use. To facilitate this project, I would first have to model proper use and then supervise student use to encourage appropriate use of the tools and resources. To increase the use of this project by other teachers, I would also have to facilitate the incorporation of the project into their classrooms. This process would also require further modeling to ensure that other students also know how to use the digital tools and resources being provided to them for this project.
The completion of the engaged learning project was a great learning experience for me personally. I strive to teach my course in a manner that is engaging to students, but sometimes I don’t always connect with them in a way that is truly authentic. This project allows for a direct connection between student actions and environmental results and is introduced in a manner that is authentic to students and their learning. From this experience, I also learned about new digital tools and resources that could further enhance the curriculum content through this engaged learning project. These new tools are especially beneficial as I can incorporate them in countless other ways in other courses I teach. If I were to do this engaged learning plan differently, I would be sure to implement the project with my students to get better feedback than the test sample that did the project. If I had data from all of my students, I would know which parts of the project were especially engaging and authentic and if there were any parts that needed to be adjusted or adapted.
The engaged learning project will have an impact not only on student learning but also on faculty development. The students will benefit the most in that they are able to complete a project that means something to them personally. In addition, the students will also learn how to use new digital tools and resources which may be used in the future in my class or the classes of other teachers. Additionally, faculty development can also be impacted by this engaged learning project. By communicating the use of digital tools and resources to my colleagues, they will further their classroom use of tools and build learning authenticity in their classrooms as well. The impact of this project will be assessed through student performance on both classroom and state assessments and if they are able to make the necessary connections between the content standards on these assessments.
The engaged learning project was completed to demonstrate the ability to develop an extended technology-supported student learning experience that will serve as a model for others. In completing the project, I had to first identify a topic that would allow for the development of an authentic learning experience for students. In addition, the topic had to allow for the use of digital tools and resources to help enhance this learning experience. I created this engaged learning project independently after determining that ecology and the environmental impact of humans was a topic not often visited by the previous teachers of my students.
Standard 2.3 sets the expectation for the modeling and facilitation of digital tool and resources by candidates to engage students in an authentic learning experience. This artifact demonstrates my ability to develop an engaged learning project and model and facilitate the use of digital tools and resources through the implementation of this project in my classroom. The creation of this engaged learning project requires me to be able to model the use of all required digital tools and resources of the project to my students. In addition, to share this project with other teachers, I would have to model not only the digital tools and resources, but how to use these tools and resources as a facilitator and not just a student.
The implementation of the engaged learning project requires me to also be in the role of facilitator to introduce the expectations of the assignment and the required digital tools and resources students will have to use. To facilitate this project, I would first have to model proper use and then supervise student use to encourage appropriate use of the tools and resources. To increase the use of this project by other teachers, I would also have to facilitate the incorporation of the project into their classrooms. This process would also require further modeling to ensure that other students also know how to use the digital tools and resources being provided to them for this project.
The completion of the engaged learning project was a great learning experience for me personally. I strive to teach my course in a manner that is engaging to students, but sometimes I don’t always connect with them in a way that is truly authentic. This project allows for a direct connection between student actions and environmental results and is introduced in a manner that is authentic to students and their learning. From this experience, I also learned about new digital tools and resources that could further enhance the curriculum content through this engaged learning project. These new tools are especially beneficial as I can incorporate them in countless other ways in other courses I teach. If I were to do this engaged learning plan differently, I would be sure to implement the project with my students to get better feedback than the test sample that did the project. If I had data from all of my students, I would know which parts of the project were especially engaging and authentic and if there were any parts that needed to be adjusted or adapted.
The engaged learning project will have an impact not only on student learning but also on faculty development. The students will benefit the most in that they are able to complete a project that means something to them personally. In addition, the students will also learn how to use new digital tools and resources which may be used in the future in my class or the classes of other teachers. Additionally, faculty development can also be impacted by this engaged learning project. By communicating the use of digital tools and resources to my colleagues, they will further their classroom use of tools and build learning authenticity in their classrooms as well. The impact of this project will be assessed through student performance on both classroom and state assessments and if they are able to make the necessary connections between the content standards on these assessments.