Focus question 1:
What is meant by “lesson development using technology”?
Given the fact that technology is a means very useful, as teachers we must always bear in mind its
potential and the ways in which this
can contribute to how teachers develop
lessons. Therefore, it involves a teacher’s responsible and creative decision
about these aspects: What to teach (academic content), how to teach (teaching
goals, methods, and procedures), and how to know what students have learned
(learning assessments), as well as how teacher can use electronic resources to
facilitate these three processes.
For example, educators can use digital content available on the Internet
to select what will be explored or explained to students each day. On the other
hand, technology can support in a variety ways, the selection, organization,
and implementation of how this content is going to be taught and assessed. Some
of these are: Presentation software, teacher-developed websites, interactive
software, assistive technologies, electronic tests and quizzes, digital
portfolios, personal response systems, online evaluation rubrics and many
others technology tools. Attempting to
show the complexity, dynamism, and interaction of and in this process, it
occurred to me represents it in this way:
Since finding a fair, realistic, objective, respectful and educational
way to assess students’ and teachers’ performance is a real challenge, I found
this online resource very practical. It provides information, technical
assistance and advocacy on
a broad range of testing concerns. It also facilitates the exchange of
information and ideas among teachers, parents, education reform and civil
rights organizations seeking to improve student assessment practices. I enjoyed reading a
variety of articles about misusing tests, teachers’ and researchers’ created
assessment tools (like performance assessments), creative practices that are
being used in schools across the nation, and proposals for resolutions to
transform the current evaluation system. I
turned out really interesting reading the articles “Student Test Scores: An Inaccurate Way to
Judge Teachers” by Monty Neill and “Resistance to High Stakes Testing Spreads” by Bob Shaeffer. Both articles have helped me see these issues from a completely
different and more realistic perspective. Because it is a powerful tool to make us aware
of the need to seek better ways of assessment and to keep us up to date with
the latest research and expert opinions on the matter, I believe that all
teachers should regularly consult this website.
This is not the future that we want for our students. Isn’t it?
Summary and personal Connection: How complex it is the
process of planning a lesson! How many factors to
take it into account! How many electronic
resources the Internet provides for supporting lesson
development! Besides, it is the first time I heard about “understanding by
design”! I wonder if one day I could feel like a fish in the
water among so many technologies. And, what about
assessing and evaluating the students? How
much responsibility it entails! I do not want to be unfair to my
future students assessing their performance mechanically,
grouping and classifying them according
to their results when these
tests do not take into account their personal qualifications, socioeconomic status, creative potential, effort, intellectual skills and spiritual
development. I really want to know what is in the students’ mind and heart
to get them to enjoy learning, to come to
love knowledge and to motivate
them to become better every day.
And people think teaching is 'easy' or glorified 'child care'! :) No need for overwhelm, though - like many skills, lesson planning (instruction and assessment) comes with practice. Some of it makes sense and some challenges your thinking, but the basic premise of connecting with students is still key. Love the cartoon! :)
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