Module 4 - Assessing ICT Integration _Assignment 3

As I have said before, COOPERATIVE LEARNING sure is a 'biggie' for me. It is my favourite teaching strategy and I have sen how using it has helped the learning of my students in many ways. I have used this method with large classes and it has gone well and I have ussed it with small class numbers as well. This teaching strategy has brought out the teacher astistry in me making me a more creative teacher so that effective learning can take place.  With the INTEGRATION OF  ICT SKILLS, the lesson plans created, the activities done and the assessment tools created during this module using cooperative group learning  has equiped me with a plethora of ideas as I go forward into the classroom to make it a much more interesting place for my students. After all school should be a joyful place and learning should be a pleasurable activity. 

 I was able to conduct the activities at the Secondary school level (Princess Margaret School) and at the Tertiary level at the Antigua and Barbuda Internation Institute of Technology.

Below are some photographs taken while engage in doing activies from Module 4 - assessing ICT Integration. 

 

Activity  6 - Simple Info - gathering information from the Internet

 

 

 

 

Assignment 3

 

Using Cooperative learning strategy that includes the Integration of ICT.

 

 

GROUPS BRAINSTORMING

 



FINAL PRESENTATION

 

 

 

 



 

 



Module 4 Activity 4 - How we Assess_Assessment Methods

Having  knowledge of the various types of assessment and how to assess is a powerful tool which the teacher can use to provide adequate feedback  to students so that both they and the teacher can monitor their progress in the classroom. I intend to use the varying methods of assessment in my teaching so that I can cater to the learning of the diversity in the classroom. I also think that my level of professionalism in terms of using appropriate assessment procedures is improving.

Module 4 Activity 3 DIVERSITY

I am very much aware of the varying capabilities of students in my classes and I have always been very sensitive to the fact that no two persons are alike and that students learn differently. This session on diversity has  made me more acutely aware of the needs of ALL students and to be more observant of their behaviour and attitudes and to try to find out what makes them tick. With this in mind I will take into consideration when planning activites that I should use diverse teaching methods and assessment practices to cater for the learning of ALL students.

Module 1 Activity 12 - PROBLEM_SOLVING

I thoroughly enjoyed doing this activity.

Using the approach of problem solving is a rather new but it was an exciting and excellent activity which I will definitely be using again.

At first I was a bit apprehensive wondering what I should do or how could I get this activity done. But after sharing and discussing the activity with a colleague, I got a clear picture and came up with the idea/concept used. Thanks Carol G.

The exciting thing about this is that once again I was places in a 'facilitator role' instead of the role of being infront of the class and I had just as much classroom control with this activity. I did not feel as if I wasnt in control of the class (Most teachers tend to think that they can only be in control when they are standing infront the class). Allowing the students to be incharge of their learning seems to be working well. It is exciting... the students were excited and ontask and I was excited and loving it too.

I am liking the 'facilitator' role more and more.

 I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO USING THIS STRATEGY MORE... 

Module 1 Activity 8: Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Wow. Finally I have gotten it.

Who would beleive that for all these years I just did not get the jist of Piaget's Theory. It just didnt make sense to me all these years. I guess it was the method of teaching and how it was taught that had caused me to have developed a mental block to it. But now I have finally grasp the foundation behind his theory. The bits and pieces of knowledge  i had grasped  were filed away seperately and doing this module have finally brought them all together and the puzzle is now in one piece. Thanks to CCTI...

It was interesting to read  Piaget's views and that of Vygotsky and to see their similarities and differences.

Module 1 Activity 7: COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

The concept of Collaborative Learning and group work has become a 'biggie' for me  interms of teaching strategies for quite some time now. I think I have learnt how to master its use and have seen tremendous success in the results - grades and positive social outcome. I have seen the positive results both at the school level and the tertiary level.

It has always been my view that learning should be fun and for this to happen the teacher is a key ingredient to make it happen. Teachers should take the time out to get to know their students because they are all different and to create the right environment with the right types of activities and assignments so that learning can take place and no one is left out and using Collaborative learning is an effective strategy for this.

 

Using collaborative learning has helped me as a teacher to  assess my classes so that I can find new and innovative ways to teach the next group that comes my way and so that I can continue being an effective teacher. I have seen how this strategy  has gotten students to enjoy and like what they are doing because of the interaction and comradry among thier peers and  those who had some resentment to the subject of Visual Arts have grown to like it and have performed better.

Module 1 Activity 11 - Lessons learnt from this Activity

For me it this teaching method is new and it find it to be a very interesting one  use to get students motivated. I realise that students once they are comfortable with the teacher  and are not afraid to ask alot of questions which helps them to improve in  their thinking. It also encourages them to be analytical and to come to conclusions but not in a judgemental manner.

As a Teacher I have always said to students that I don't know everything and that I am there to learn from them just as they are there to learn from me and if we both don't know it then we will research it together. There have been several times when questions are asked of me and I would not know the answer and I would tell them I don't know and would research and find the answer, which I always do and would be appreciated. Sometimes I would give them the chance to do the research and present the informaion.

Engaging in this activity I was able to answer all the questions because I was more than adequately prepared. I learnt that the children  themselves don't expect you to have the answer to all the questions and that they test you to see if you would own up to the fact that you don't have an answer to give. 

In my opinion some powerful learning took place.  I look forward to the designs which the students will create when the practical component is given. Also I NOW HAVE ANOTHER CREATIVE  TEACHING METHOD ADDED TO MY REPERTOIRE :).