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Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is a teaching method that involves the instructor evaluating, in an informal or formal manner, a student's comprehension of the lesson during the learning process.  According to the this week's resources some teacher's can give an assessment before the chapter is started to diagnose where the instruction in the lesson should be focused.  Assessments can be given in the middle of the lesson to see if the students are keeping up or misunderstanding the concepts or afterwards showing if additional help is needed or which students need extra instruction. I haven't seen much of formative assessment in the classroom that was done through technology.  One or two of my kids' teacher's did formative assessments particularly in math but it seemed like a lot of work as the teacher would use paper and pencil assessments and it seemed like the students were assessed quite a lot compared to instruction time.  The advantages of an easy to use app would...
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Flipping Classrooms

Some times I feel like I am the last one to know when there is something new happening, for the good or for the bad.  After going through the assigned videos/articles on the flipped classroom I finally understand what my high school son is talking about!  My son is a senior now and he has been complaining for years that the teachers at his private high school have decided to no longer teach.  The private school is a STEM school, aiming at enhancing education through science, technology, engineering and math.  However, I have long since been aware that my son can "color" his school experience into a loosely interpreted novel-turned movie.  His explanation of a flipped classroom made me think that the teachers just assigned videos, walked in the classroom, assigned homework and just checked out. However that is not the case at all and now I finally understand what has happened, and it actually seems smart to flip the classroom.  Using the time in the clas...
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Google Classroom

The first time I was exposed to Google Classroom was when my boys were in middle school.  The school introduced it as obligatory for all students without much training or explanation for the parents.  Honestly, I had no idea how it worked or what its benefits were, but quickly learned the problems that middle schoolers boys could get into while using the system.  It was a very negative introduction to compulsory educational technology, sitting in a principal's office as the administrator lectured me about my children's improper usage of school software. In the couple weeks of readings, videos and usage of educational technology, I have learned more than the five years that my children were using the program.  From these experiences I strongly believe parents should be given technological training if we are expected to monitor and provide support.  Otherwise the children are ahead of us and we learn only through the bumps and bruises, massive growing pains!!! ...
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Assistive Technology

Up until reading and viewing the resources for this week's assignment I have not actually heard  much of what is called assistive technology.  This isn't particularly surprising as I have not had any exposure to special education.  Assistive technology is simply using technology to assist someone, more specifically, people with disabilities.   The amount of assistive technology that already exists is astounding!  It ranges from apps that help the color blind or dyslexic to voice activation for those who cannot speak.  It can also be as simple as physical devices used for young children develop fine or gross motor skills in order to catch up to their peers in the classroom.  It can also be a complex computer program connected in wearable technology, enabling a severely disabled person to become independently mobile and communicative.  This would completely open up and change the world for people who have access to this assistive technology....
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Why I Want to Become a Teacher

Why do I wish to become a teacher?  That answer is very simple, I would like to become a teacher in order to do something relevant with my life.  Through most of my life that has always been an important aspect of my decisions, I want it to align my decisions with my life goals.   Serving others has always been one of my life goals, as it is the way I believe that we show love for one another.  I wish to grow in love and service for my neighbor and I feel pulled to aiding the youth in education.  Helping to inspire and form children in a positive environment.
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