3.

1 Candidates model and facilitate effective classroom management and collaborative learning
strategies to maximize teacher and student use of digital tools.

Description

The Engaged Learning Project created for the ITEC 7400 21st Century Teaching and

Learning course was designed to maximize teacher and student use of digital tools through

effective classroom management and collaborative learning strategies. The purpose of this

project was to connect 3rd-5th grade Social Studies standards with appropriate technology-based

learning strategies through creating a product that demonstrated content mastery. This artifact

shows how the use of best implementation strategies can enhance student learning to provide

deep understanding and more authentic learning. With integrating these technology practices

students were able to demonstrate their knowledge in various platforms using different media

types. This also allowed for creativity as well as choice for how to present their learning.

Through maximizing the use of digital tools, teachers and students were demonstrate effective

collaboration strategies.

The Engaged Learning Project also provided me a way to model how effective

technology strategies can assist in developing deeper meaning with the students. In presenting

their completed work through the use of QR codes, the teachers were able to see how beneficial

these learning opportunities can be. During this project, I also invited several teachers to visit

our class when the students were video conferencing with an expert within our community in

order to show the connection between content learning and real-world experiences. Providing

these opportunities allowed for the teachers to see how these connections increase the

understanding and knowledge in learning the content.

Standard Mastery
 Creating this artifact allowed for me to demonstrate the mastery of effectively utilizing

classroom management and collaborative learning strategies through maximizing the use of

digital tools and resources. Connecting the Social Studies content standards to creating a writing

piece using Web 2.0 productivity tools, iPads for video production of final product, and

publishing opportunities through VIMEO or Streaming Cobb showed effective technology

integration to increase student engagement. Simply studying the Social Studies content through

a textbook was not an engaging way for the students to learn. Providing them with this learning

opportunity allowed for deeper understanding and increased achievement.

Incorporating this project allowed for my role to truly become a facilitator rather than an

instructor. Since the students were previously taught the social studies content, they were able to

take ownership of their learning to create their products. Through this process, my role was to

guide and assist wherever needed, which also promoted more independent learning within the

students. Since the goal of instructional coaching is to provide independent learning

opportunities, my focus for this project was to allow for just that.

Learning Gained

Through creating this artifact, I gained the deep knowledge of how effectively

incorporating technology-enhanced learning opportunities can be for students. In fact this

showed to be vital in successful learning for my students since I was able to allow for them to

demonstrate their creativity, independence, and comfortability level with media presentation.

From this artifact I was also able to gain a stronger idea of how to collaboratively share these

innovative practices with my colleagues. By this I mean that when sharing this project with my

colleagues, they were able to see the effectiveness of the technology used and the need for

students to develop deeper thought processes.

 In reflecting on this artifact, the one thing I would do differently would be to host a

“project viewing” party in order share the students’ learning outside of our classroom walls.

Allowing students to share ideas globally is vital to the success of effective learning

opportunities. By conducting a viewing party with other schools and/or outside visitors, my

students would get a better understanding of global collaboration. Another idea would be to

connect with another local school in a partnership to allow for outside collaboration as well. In

adding this component I would then be able to address the ISTE standards for students with

regard to becoming global contributors. This standard focuses on the need for students to

connect digitally with others outside of the classroom in order to examine issues through

multiple perspectives. Incorporating this piece would connect this artifact with the idea of global

contribution.

Impact on School Improvement, Faculty Development, or Student Learning

The Engaged Learning Project artifact impacts student learning through developing

stronger and more meaningful learning opportunities. Through these opportunities our students

were able to participate in real world connections as well as develop ownership of their own

learning. In developing this ownership, the students become more engaged and invested in what

they are learning as well as the importance of why this content needs to be learned. In increasing

the impact on student learning, eventually there will be a greater impact on school improvement

since students will become more invested in what they are learning and student achievement will

rise.

References

ISTE Standards for STUDENTS. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students