Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Concept Map ~Our Solar System


Concept mapping is a great way to show students relationships between concepts on a particular topic. The map shows the relationship between concepts by linking words and arrows to show a direction of that relationship. I used the program Kidspiration to create my concept map. It was a very helpful and creative program. It allowed me to use specific images for my concept map directly from the program as well as alter the color scheme and layout to suit my needs. My concept map is about the solar system. I use the map to show how the Sun is the center of our Solar System and how all of the planets surround the Sun. I used arrows coming from the Sun to each of the planets. From the planets, I used arrows branching out giving additional information about each specific planet. For example, I used an arrow coming off of Mercury stating that it has no moons. I used a second arrow coming off of Mercury to state that it is the closest planet to the sun. I used an arrow coming off of the topic that Mercury is the closest planet to the sun stating that Mercury has no air because it is the closest planet to the sun. All of these topics and subtopics and even sub subtopics can be used to creatively teach a lesson on a specific subject or topic. Concept mapping can be tied to NETS-T: 3 which is to Model Digital Age Work and Learning. This is being done because the teacher is communicating relevant ideas effectively to students using digital age media and formats.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

National Educational Standards for Teachers

 
NETS T Indicator
 
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning

and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter,

teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate

experiences that advance student learning,

creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face

and virtual environments.

a. Promote, support, and model creative

and innovative thinking and inventiveness

b. Engage students in exploring real-world issues

and solving authentic problems using digital tools

and resources

c. Promote student reflection using collaborative

tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual

understanding and thinking, planning, and

creative processes

d. Model collaborative knowledge construction by

engaging in learning with students, colleagues,

and others in face-to-face and virtual environments

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.

a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that

incorporate digital tools and resources to promote

student learning and creativity

b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments

that enable all students to pursue their individual

curiosities and become active participants in setting

their own educational goals, managing their own

learning, and assessing their own progress

c. Customize and personalize learning activities

to address students’ diverse learning styles,

working strategies, and abilities using digital tools

and resources

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

3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work

processes representative of an innovative professional

in a global and digital society.

a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the

transfer of current knowledge to new technologies

and situations

b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents,

and community members using digital tools

and resources to support student success

and innovation

c. Communicate relevant information and ideas

effectively to students, parents, and peers using

a variety of digital age media and formats

d. Model and facilitate effective use of current and

emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate,

and use information resources to support research

and learning

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship

and Responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal

issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital

culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in

their professional practices.

a. Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical

use of digital information and technology, including

respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the

appropriate documentation of sources

b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using

learner-centered strategies providing equitable access

to appropriate digital tools and resources

c. Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible

social interactions related to the use of technology

and information

d. Develop and model cultural understanding and

global awareness by engaging with colleagues

and students of other cultures using digital age

communication and collaboration tools

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Teachers continuously improve their professional

practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit

leadership in their school and professional

community by promoting and demonstrating

the effective use of digital tools and resources.

a. Participate in local and global learning communities

to explore creative applications of technology to

improve student learning

b. Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of

technology infusion, participating in shared decision

making and community building, and developing the

leadership and technology skills of others

c. Evaluate and reflect on current research and

professional practice on a regular basis to make

effective use of existing and emerging digital tools

and resources in support of student learning

d. Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and selfrenewal

of the teaching profession and of their

school and community