Project Showcase
Introduction
Throughout the course of my graduate school career my favorite assignments were the ones that I could turn around and immediately apply to my classroom. I felt that I gained the most knowledge for assignments I felt were the most applicable. I also felt that I put in the best effort towards the assigments I felt I would be using in my classroom. Below you will find a collection of the most meaningful assignments I completed during my time in the Master of Arts in Education program. I compiled the documents into two categories:
Classroom Improvement - These are projects which I completed to improve my classroom and have helped my teaching methods.
Classroom Technology - These are projects which I completed as technology tools and resources to improve lessons, help with communication, and incorporate technology within the classroom.
Classroom Improvement - These are projects which I completed to improve my classroom and have helped my teaching methods.
Classroom Technology - These are projects which I completed as technology tools and resources to improve lessons, help with communication, and incorporate technology within the classroom.
Classroom Improvement
Action Research Proposal |
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This research proposal was a great experience for me! I was challenged to identify a problem in my classroom and formally propose a solution to solve it. I was challenged to find the research to support my ideas. This experience was one that I felt was very applicable to my situation at school and something that I would be able to use throughout my career. At the left is a video summary which I created to introduce the research proposal and the full document can be viewed at the link below.
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Classroom Management Plan
The classroom management plan on the right was created with my classroom in mind and implemented the very next fall. I enjoyed the challenge of making the C.H.A.M.P.S. ideas stretch to the middle and high school. The ideas and concepts I learned through creating this classroom management plan improved my classroom management skills and I was really thankful for the opportunity to expand my thinking and strengthing my skills. The classroom management plan is also available for download at the right.
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Literacy Learner Analysis |
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The Literacy Learner Analysis (at left) was a very hard assignment for me. As a high school math teacher I went into this assignment with thoughts of "How is this going to apply to me?" I decided, that for use in my class, I needed to focus on the literacy associated with taking and outlining notes as an important tool in my classroom, other high school classrooms, and on to college. I did miss the mark a little bit with this assignment but I still grew in a way that allowed me to see the importance of literacy at all levels. The Analysis is also available to download at the left.
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Classroom Technology
Resource Library
Creating the resource library was a very eye opening experiences because it showed just how many options there are available to help student learning. By completing this project I was able to identify the difference between a tool (something that teaches the concept) and a resource (something that reinforces or practices the concept) and how to align them with the current standards. This is a tool I have been able to incorporate in my classroom and reference often. To visit the Resource Library, click on the picture.
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Vodcast |
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I usually hate creating videos, I dread it! But creating the Vodcast really opened my eyes to how beneficial videos could be in the classroom. In a school where students are chronically absent, creating videos on notes or lessons could really enhance the learning of my students. It also showed me how I could "flip" the classroom where students are responsible for watching short video lessons as their homework and their assignments are done in class. Videos are something that I'm looking forward to incorporating more videos into my curriculum.
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Revised Lesson Plan
This assignment was very interesting because I took a lesson that I teach regularly and that students struggle with and found a way to incorporate the technology. My students really struggled with distance versus time graphs, they often confused the graphs as forming hills instead of representing someone's distance from a location. Our school has encouraged us (math teachers) to use a program called Gizmos. I revised a lesson about regarding distance versus time graphs to incorporate a Gizmo which depicted and demonstrated distance versus time. When I used this lesson the students really had a better understanding of the graphs and it showed me how technology can really make a difference in students learning and understanding of a topic if it is used well. The lesson plan is also available for download at the left. |
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Professional Development Agenda |
I really enjoyed this assignment! I was challenged with the task of incorporating the TPACK or the SAMR frameworks into a professional development for our colleagues or administration. I really enjoyed the challenge of having to think about teaching teachers. I am very used to teaching students but I know that teaching teachers is very different. I tried to incorporate a lot of small group discussion along with time to work on the concepts of what was being talked about. As I planned this for veteran teachers I went under the assumption that they did not know the TPACK and SAMR frameworks. I had to show my knowledge of the concepts by explaining them in a way someone who had not heard of them before. I then allowed time for teachers to work on a lesson plan using the frameworks discussed. I really hope that I can use this plan in the future.
TPACK & SAMR Professional Development - Focus on Google Resources |
2 Minute Elevator Pitch
I was challenged with the task of creating a two minute video explaining one of the concepts which were discussed in class. It was difficult because I could not fit everything I wanted to say! I had to shorten, adjust, and re-word to make sure I stayed on track. I learned how to include enough detail without including too much. I really enjoy the video because I was able to make some really good connections between the TPACK and SAMR frameworks which really cleared up the "why" and "how" of technology incorporation. I was also able to experiment with a new Google Application called "WeVideo" which is a video editor and creator which will also record your screen without having to download software.
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TPACK & SAMR from Kelsey Gamble on Vimeo. |