Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Benefits of Educator Blogs
I have never been one to post much on Facebook or Twitter because I didn't think anyone else really wanted to know what I thought. But since I have started this program and I have seen my fellow colleague's blogs and started blogging myself I can see the benefit of a blog. The blog makes me think about my research and dig a little deeper to find a way to accomplish the task at hand and to help my students achieve success. The most important thing to me is that my students excel. It is beneficial for educators to be able to communicate with other educators and find that we are all trying to achieve the same goal and we have similar struggles. It is also great to be able to share success stories when we find something that works for our students.
Action Research Plan
Student Technology SurveyAs I said in the last post I would like to see how technology can benefit our science students. I am going to attach a technology survey that I would like to have my students fill out. I have a website that my students can access for help when they are at home but if they don't have a computer or internet access this would be hard for them. I currently have students that come to my room early to be able to use the internet for school projects. My website has websites that can help them review or access tutorials. I also want to add videos of my classroom problem solving sessions and discussions of notes for those students who are absent to be able to keep the from getting behind. Just this week I had a student who entered my Chemistry class from another school and she was very far behind her fellow classmates. The archived videos would benefit her being able to catch up and keep her from giving up because she does not have the knowledge her classmates have.
I also would like to see if technology such as virtual labs can help my at risk students better understand the subject matter. Many of my at risk students have Attention Deficit Disorder and the virtual labs and tutorials help them visualize the concepts better than just lectures. Also the virtual labs help them understand the processes of the actual labs and helps prepare them to gain a deeper understanding of the actual laboratory experiments we do in the our Chemistry laboratory.
Our district Science Coordinator who is my mentor and I discussed looking at my students last science standardized test scores, conduct the technology survey and then try to enhance the students technology experiences and then compare the results of the students end of year standardized science test scores.
I also would like to see if technology such as virtual labs can help my at risk students better understand the subject matter. Many of my at risk students have Attention Deficit Disorder and the virtual labs and tutorials help them visualize the concepts better than just lectures. Also the virtual labs help them understand the processes of the actual labs and helps prepare them to gain a deeper understanding of the actual laboratory experiments we do in the our Chemistry laboratory.
Our district Science Coordinator who is my mentor and I discussed looking at my students last science standardized test scores, conduct the technology survey and then try to enhance the students technology experiences and then compare the results of the students end of year standardized science test scores.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Action Research Plan - Use of Techonology in the Science Classroom to improve Science Education
"Technology is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other" C.P. Snow
I want to explore how technology and hands on experiences can bring up understanding in science classes. After much research I have found there are many techniques that can be used such as virtual labs, internet research, and something new I found last night called LiveScribe and Voicethread. I can't wait to implement them in my classroom. I really feel that both of the last two will benefit my students who have extended absences so they don't miss instruction and get behind.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
What Action Research Really Is.
Action Research is defined by Schmuck (1997) as a planned inquiry in search of information and knowledge. Ringer (2007) says,"this process validates teachers' effective practices in the classroom."
My understanding of Action Research is a process in which a person observes and researches a particular area of interest or need. In my case it will the education of students who have difficulty learning my subject area of Chemistry. They then proceed to formulate a plan in which they can use the research to improve or better a problem area.
There are four steps in action research. First is identifying a classroom learning problem. Second developing and implementing an action research plan. Third collecting and analyzing data and last evaluating and sharing results. (Calhoon, 1994; Sagor, 2000)
I have a deep desire to better all our school's students understanding of science. Unfortunately, many students feel this subject is hard to understand so they come to me thinking they won't be able to excel in this area. Each student has a particular style of learning. Some may be able to learn the subject by reading and studying the textbook. Others do well by listening in class and completing homework assignments. However there will always be a few students who don't have the math skills or the reasoning ability to do well. These students take a little extra effort to understand. I would like to implement new technology in the way of virtual laboratory experiments and online study resources to see if the visual experience can help our students understand science better.
Schmuck, R.A. (1997). Practical action research for change. Arlington Heights, IL; IRI Skylight Training and Publishing, Inc.
Ringer, Marjorie C. (2007). Action Research an Effective Instructional Leadership Skill for Future Public School Leaders. East Carolina University, Greenville, NC; AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice.
Calhoun, E.F. (1994). How to use action research in the self-renewing school. Alexandria, VA; Association for Superviision and Curriculum Development.
Sagor, R. (2000). Guiding school improvement with action research. Alexandria, VA; Association for Superviision and Curriculum Development.
My understanding of Action Research is a process in which a person observes and researches a particular area of interest or need. In my case it will the education of students who have difficulty learning my subject area of Chemistry. They then proceed to formulate a plan in which they can use the research to improve or better a problem area.
There are four steps in action research. First is identifying a classroom learning problem. Second developing and implementing an action research plan. Third collecting and analyzing data and last evaluating and sharing results. (Calhoon, 1994; Sagor, 2000)
I have a deep desire to better all our school's students understanding of science. Unfortunately, many students feel this subject is hard to understand so they come to me thinking they won't be able to excel in this area. Each student has a particular style of learning. Some may be able to learn the subject by reading and studying the textbook. Others do well by listening in class and completing homework assignments. However there will always be a few students who don't have the math skills or the reasoning ability to do well. These students take a little extra effort to understand. I would like to implement new technology in the way of virtual laboratory experiments and online study resources to see if the visual experience can help our students understand science better.
Schmuck, R.A. (1997). Practical action research for change. Arlington Heights, IL; IRI Skylight Training and Publishing, Inc.
Ringer, Marjorie C. (2007). Action Research an Effective Instructional Leadership Skill for Future Public School Leaders. East Carolina University, Greenville, NC; AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice.
Calhoun, E.F. (1994). How to use action research in the self-renewing school. Alexandria, VA; Association for Superviision and Curriculum Development.
Sagor, R. (2000). Guiding school improvement with action research. Alexandria, VA; Association for Superviision and Curriculum Development.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Musings on What to do for My Action Research Plan
Well now I'm not sure what to do. I just can't wrap my mind around exactly what it is I am supposed to do. My action research plan must have a technology component because I am in the ETL program.
I realize action research should be involving something that addresses our school's needs. I would like to survey my students to know how many of them have technology at home. Do they have computers, i pads, nooks, or smartphones? How adept are they at using these forms of technology? I would then like to compare student grades to student access and ability to technology.
I realize action research should be involving something that addresses our school's needs. I would like to survey my students to know how many of them have technology at home. Do they have computers, i pads, nooks, or smartphones? How adept are they at using these forms of technology? I would then like to compare student grades to student access and ability to technology.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Misgivings about Action Research Topic
After reading this week's assignment I have decided to change my Action Research Plan to an examination and a revamping of our school district's science laboratory program. I firmly believe that our students will bring up their science scores on the standardized test if we give them more opportunities to have hands-on and virtual lab experiences.
Most of our students are much more tech savvy that we teachers. I am fortunate enough to have an administration that believes as I do and they buy me the laboratory supplies we need. Unfortunately, many of our teachers are not sure enough in the lab to do many experiments with the students. They say they can't behave. I have taught 145 eighth graders and had many labs with them. i know that they rise to our level of expectations.
I am going to try to implement with the help of a great middle school science teacher a new vertical learning laboratory experience. We also use explorelearning.com Gizmos and are expecting Vernier Labquests and probes for our labs. Our district is great about believing we can challenge the students and cause them to rise to the occasion.
The middle school science teacher, our district science coordinator and myself will be meeting on Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday. I will get back to you as to the results of the meeting.
Most of our students are much more tech savvy that we teachers. I am fortunate enough to have an administration that believes as I do and they buy me the laboratory supplies we need. Unfortunately, many of our teachers are not sure enough in the lab to do many experiments with the students. They say they can't behave. I have taught 145 eighth graders and had many labs with them. i know that they rise to our level of expectations.
I am going to try to implement with the help of a great middle school science teacher a new vertical learning laboratory experience. We also use explorelearning.com Gizmos and are expecting Vernier Labquests and probes for our labs. Our district is great about believing we can challenge the students and cause them to rise to the occasion.
The middle school science teacher, our district science coordinator and myself will be meeting on Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday. I will get back to you as to the results of the meeting.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Technology for Action Research?
I am starting my new class EDLD 5301 and am thinking about problems I need to address in my Action Research Plan. The first thing that comes to mind as I think about the needs of my students and how it relates to my Technology portion of my plan is that many of my students either don't have a computer at home or don't have internet access. There is inequity among my students that can cause some of them to be left behind. This concerns me in our tech savvy world. In order for all my students to excel they must be knowledgeable in the area of technology.
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