Assumptions change

So, we're looking back at how our thinking has changed, and how we are becoming better reflective practitioners.   As a result, I'm looking back through my LTT work and I've found this:

Assumption #2:

When I created my mission statement, I assumed that it’s important to include parents and the community as part of the group responsible for educating a child:

    I believe that I, the teacher, along with students, parents and the community, will encourage all  to become lifelong learners, able to contribute positively to the community, always valuing knowledge and friendships.  The ability to evaluate information, skills, and situations will grow with this journey.

    Was I supposed to include them, for some kids the family really doesn’t share in the completion of homework, discussions about school, interest in what the kids are doing, etc.   Or perhaps don’t value giving back to the community as I do, so should that be in my mission?  Is that something to consider when I present outreach ideas to my students?

Now, has my thinking changed?   I should reflect on my thinking and my shift in perspective as a result of the readings, discussions, and learning throughout the course.   

   I still think that we are all part of creating experiences, good and bad, for students.   I don't know that what I'm doing is going to lead to all the students being motivated to be a lifelong learner or to give back to the greater community.   

Feb. 1 Blog Post

Where do you turn to to find pertinent research?

I have searched in SFU library, and the article and book links from there.   I've also gone to articles that are quoted in the ones that I am reading.    In addition, I've looked at resources that have been discussed or referred to in Pro-D sessions I've attended, or that others have referred to on Classroom 2.0 and Twitter.

What is the value of peer-review?

Shows if the article can be replicated, if the findings are legitimate and responsible.  I know they're not just unknown ramblings that are randomly posted on the internet.

What are some sources of research? Where do you turn to for research? Sources?

- Google Scholar - more friendly interface
- TeacherTube--used it
- TED Talks-looked here
- Wikipedia to get a quick link
- Eric Ebsco--used often
- Journal references - look at the bibliography--do this
- Ask your network / ask an expert

What are the barriers to academic research?

- information literacy: knowing how to navigate the library databases, perform effective searches (boolean, etc.)

 

This can be frustrating at times, but at this point I can search in another way or another place if the format isn't working for me.  

- Jargon / vocabulary: academic articles are often written to impress, for status or for an audience of academics

If I can't understand the abstract, or first couple of pages, I skip the article as I am not likely to refer back to it if I didn't get it and the article was related to material I'm learning about or interested in.

What are some strategies to overcome these barriers?

- Read with a group (a learning community that reads the same text and shares their understanding)

Done a bit in class, but not as much with self directed--if all else fails, I've done it.
- Read with an expert (read a text that is recommended by an expert in the field and discuss)

Haven't tried this one.   No time, mostly, to try to do this.

Feb. 1 Class

Journal Reflection:

Preparing to share my comprehensive portfolio (the story of my learning):

Can you draw a link between the research you've done and the impact on your practice?

The research that I've done has impacted my practice as it's reinforced some of the decisions that I've made throughout my career.    It's also helped give me a starting point for some of my lessons with my class.

More specifically, I referred to some of the research about feedback when I talked to parents in the fall for interviews.   I explained my plans, and how I was hoping to use the classroom blogging to help assess the kids.   The parents were happy to hear that it was helpful, and to see the link, especially when they don't use technology as much themselves.

How has it informed your field study?

For this field study, it hasn't yet, as I'm just starting my research.    I have ideas about what I want to do, and I hope to find some ideas about what to do or not to do.  Also, I want to see how I can use wikis or other mediums for collaborative writing.   The findings of experts and specific studies will be interesting to read, and share with my kids and parents.

  Where do you see it playing a role going forward?

Don't know, other than what I've said above. 

In your self-directed studies, what foundational thinkers have you drawn in that have caused a shift in your pedagogical practice?

I read some posts from leaders online on web 2.0, etc. and in articles, and looked into links or explored ideas, but I don't know that I actually quoted them.  More so, they've perhaps led me to question my choices.

Can you represent the breadth and depth of your reading and cite relevant passages that have led you to reconsider your practice?

No, not tonight.    I'm in a rough place this week, and can't remember much more than my name. 

Formative/Summative Assessments

In the article, Formative and Summative Assessments in the Classroom, Catherine Garrison and Michael Ehringhaus ca\ompare formative and summative assessment.  Their definition of summative assessment is that it is used to gauge student learning relative to content standards.   In comparison, they state that formative assessment is part of the instructional process.  It actually provides information that can be used to adjust teaching and learning while it is happening, and the changes can ensure students meet the learning targets.  
There's a list of strategies to be used for formative assessment, and they quote research findings that descriptive feedback is the most significant instructional strategy.   I am working harder at incorporating descriptive feedback into my marking and I am seeing a difference in the kids' blog posts (a focus area.)  They're editing after feedback, at times, and if not, they are making more of an effort in their next posts to avoid whatever I asked them to.  This is great to see.

This relates to the 4th capacity, that is to draw on educational theories, research, and philosophies to inform your use of technologies to support teaching and learning.
Using kidblog.org is also using existing technologies in my practice-#3.

Creative Commons/Materials online.

I think that if people are putting their work out on the internet and you haven't password protected it or copyrighted it, then you should know that others are going to read it (isn't that why it's on there?) and perhaps copied, adjusted or shared.  Giving credit to authors, illustrators, photographers, etc. or the sites you've found work on is something that we should be doing.  Not everyone is, and some of us are guilty without realizing it.  We need to be aware that there are copyright laws and they still apply to work on the internet.  Many students copy like crazy from the web, without crediting the creators or the websites.
We don't know why people put their work online, or what their intentions for the work and the sharing are.  We shouldn't just presume that everything out there is available for free use.

Field Study Udpate

Where are you at in your field study?

I am working with the students and am providing more formative feedback, even though it's often brief; I have collected data in form of photos and blog entries by students and myself, and reflective journal entries.  This is evidence and data because of what it is, and how I use it.   I had research articles earlier in the term, I need to reread them and my outline / notes to choose the parts that I am going to be including in my presentation.   I don't need to find more, I did do it ahead of my class project this time.

What is left for you to do?  What is your plan to accomplish this? 

What I need to do now is organize my work and my findings to match the format I need for presenting to the class and for showing my own growth.   I need to lay it all out in the required format to ensure that I have all the parts and that I link it all back to the capacities.