NETS-T++2

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
//Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS-S. Teachers://
 * c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.

Reflection:
This flipchart was created for use in my Integrated Math 2 course. I'm always looking for new ways to present material and engage my students. This year our Curriculum Director purchased three sets of Activ Expressions for use at the high school. As the CFF coach at Forest Hills, I was given first use of the new learner response devices and this was my first attempt at creating an activity for the kids. It took a long time to create the questions and enter the appropriate answers but it ended up working pretty well. The kids love being able to use the new technology and they are motivated to provide the correct responses. I've had a very positive experience with the Expressions so far and I've continued to use them in my classes because the kids respond so well. This is a way of reaching the kids who don't respond to normal skill and drill teaching techniques and also the kids who are more kinesthetic learners. My goal for growth in this area is to continue trying new teaching techniques with the materials that I have. There is a laptop cart that is available for use in the math department and I want to learn more about programs that I can use in my classroom. It's important to keep things interesting in class so that the kids can be self-motivated. By utilizing math software, my kids can work on projects at their own pace and their own level of depth. The kids also take more personal credit for their work than they would if they were just answering questions out of a book. I have a long way to go toward being proficient in this standard but I feel like I'm picking up a lot of ideas both in my graduate courses and also at my CFF trainings. I've utilized software such as Geometer's Sketchpad and Explore Learning's Gizmos in my classes already and I'm looking at ways to incorporate Geogebra.


 * d. provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

Reflection:
This artifact is merely an analysis of the Study Island assessment tool because I didn't want to include the actual results of our preassessment. We have used Study Island tests to create our PSSA prep groups over the last three years at Forest Hills High School. The data that we collect determines which students are grouped together and how much preparatory time that they receive. The students take the test on-line and it's interesting to see their interaction with the computer. They don't treat these exams the same way that they do a boring paper and pencil test. Our math department likes to use item analysis to check for our concept weaknesses and strengths as we approach the PSSA. We check our items on these Study Island exams and numerous other assessments to guide our "curriculum" during PSSA prep periods. I feel that I have always done a good job of using both formative and summative assessment data to tweak my teaching strategies. We might need to look over some concepts in more depth or maybe present those concepts in a different manner. Or I might need to approach individual students to provide them with extra assistance. So far technology has helped me organize data and chart student progress but I would like to use it more for actual student assessments. As we incorporate more technology in to our learning environment, the assessments will need to mirror the teaching activities. I will need to learn how to assess student learning when I have the kids work on technology based projects.