Standard+3

=Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum. =

**Teachers implement curriculum plans, that include methods and strategies that apply technology to maximize student learning.**

===My artifacts demonstrating this standard (What?)===  //Module 1 Part 2 -// 21st Century Instruction Discussion Forum It took just moments to comprehend the "Range of Use" chart. It took even less time for me to realize that my teaching is located in the lower left hand corner of the chart! Although I have strived to teach my students that learning Spanish is an invaluable tool for their futures, I am seriously lacking in my strategies. Incorporating higher order thinking skills, while utilizing real world scenarios in the constructivist frame of mind, is a fascinating concept. While it seems a daunting endeavor in the beginning, I truly believe that all things are made easier with practice. It may take hours upon hours to design the first lesson, but the following ones will be made easier once the framework is set.
 * Performance Indicators: Teachers:**
 * 1) facilitate technology- enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards.
 * 2) use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of learners.
 * 3) apply technology to develop students' higher order skills and creativity.
 * 4) manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment

By nature, this example deserves a place in the "real world" quadrant because it applies to our lives and careers as practicing educators. The authenticity is of the highest level without question. The essence of the assignment is to "analyze," "evaluate," "synthesize," and make recommendations, and thus, places it in the quadrant of the higher order thinking skills. On the constructivism end of the spectrum, this example rates very high as well. I, the learner, am being presented with material that my teacher "guide" has provided. I am readng and studying the material with active interest as it relates to my current position while my instructor is asking questions to prod me into higher-level thinking. In addition, I am able to participate in a collaborative group that provides feedback to my responses. I would have to say that while a "D" may not be a very good grade to earn on a report card, it should be the goal quadrant on the "Range of Use" chart.

After spending quite some time considering options on improving the rigor and relevance of this assignment, I simply cannot produce any suggestions!

**Module 6** - Results of lesson with Instructional Strategy - Include the strategy you chose, a description of the lesson, example(s) of tool(s) used, and your reflection on the results and how you would modify it for future use.

I designed the lesson to use with ePals, but we have not been matched with another school yet. Therefore, I chose to use the K-W-H-L chart with another lesson.

We are nearing the end of the year, and I have a particularly talented class of sophomores. I wanted to give them more ownership in the learning process, so I allowed them to choose the topic of their own unit. (The class chose to study animals.)

This seemed to be the perfect opportunity to try one of the “Nine Essential Strategies.” The initial information placed in the chart was very basic, and not really what I was hoping for. However, after a week I decided that I wanted to revisit the chart. Now that the students had a better idea of what they wanted to learn about animals, and we filled out new charts. The second time I thought we had much better results. The students expanded on the just wanting to learn the names of various animals in Spanish to learning more about the ethical treatment of animals in other countries. We progressed to the cultural aspects of bull fighting. From there we are currently entering into an investigation of using animals for research.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the eagerness and motivation of the students, as well as by the expanse of the unit they are designing. They are delving into areas that I would not have considered had I conceived the unit. I am also pleased to mention that the students are using and referring to the K-W-H-L charts independently.

We have not completed this unit yet, but I feel that this is going to be the most successful thematic unit that we have covered all year. It has been a wonderful experience for both the students and myself and well worth repetition.

===My Reflection on meeting this standard (So What?)===

//My discussion post on 21st Century Instruction represents the goal of applying technology to develop students' higher order thinking skills and creativity. This post represents this indicator because it showed me that my previous teaching led to lower order thinking skills and that with the use of technology all teachers will have the ability to teacher higher order thinking skills and better prepare our students for the future.//

//My lesson involving the instructional strategy represents the goal of this standard because it relates their previous knowledge with the material to be taught. By tying in what students already know, we can show them where they are going. The use of technology to design such devices is invaluable to both teachers who are assessing growth and students who need to see the meaning and relevance of their education.//

===My Future Learning Goals related to this standard (Now What?)=== My future goals as related to this standard are to habitually compare my lessons to the "Range of Use" chart to increase challenge my students and to attempt to design my lessons around real world issues to keep my students focused and seeing the relevance in their education.