Module 3&4 Journal Entry (ASSURE Lesson Plan)

The ASSURE model plan emphasizes teaching students with different learning styles. It’s a learning style where students are required to interact with the environment and not just receive information without self-directed action. It’s an Instructional System Design (ISD) which was modify to be used by regular teachers. All teachers can use it to develop a proper learning environment. (Source) The ASSURE lesson plan model provides assistance for teachers who want in cooperate technology with learning.

       The first approach when preparing one lesson plan is to analyze the students. During this process it is important that the teacher know the children learning style. There are three major styles visual/ spatial, verbal/ linguistic and kinesthetic/ body (Richardson J., (2003) p.13. However, (Kappi98A) states that,” learning style may be, verbal, logical, visual, musical, structured and so on. The teacher will be able to plan with a mindset to reach all of the students. This first approach should be followed by stating the Objective, Selecting Methods, Media and Materials, Utilizing Media and Material. Require Learner Participation .must be included and finally there must be evaluation, Hassan H. (2014). These steps will be beneficial for both, the teacher and the learner. All teachers would have students, who would excel through cooperative learning. The ASSURE instructions for lesson plan provides step by step instructions for us (teachers) so that we can combine technology with teaching. Therefore, our students will progress academically while they interact with the environment and improve their technological skills. Group work, field trips, lectures, experiments, videos, and many more will definitely be used to enhance our teaching. After all the participation we will be able to evaluate the students. (This is possible by following instruction necessary for evaluating the children). This kind of engagement will assist students to meet the set goal and provide continuous improvement.

  A successful teacher would be an individual who sees planning for instruction as the foundation of every excellent lesson. The foundation of any process is vital. Everything is established upon the foundation. Hence, we see the importance of planning. It gives teachers the opportunity to be thoroughly prepared. Students are analyzed, Objectives are in place, Methods, Media and Materials are identified, while there is advance structure in place for the use of Media and Material. Also there is knowledge of the Required Learner Participation. Finally, there is room to check to see how the children performed. Of course, the results will be excellent.

Technology plays a vital role in today’s world. Therefore, it is valuable and beneficial to both teachers and students. The use of ICTs results in productivity and efficiency. There has been progress to online courses and digital books. Technology can be used to post or share materials on line, video chat and a class blog can be used as a platform to share and discuss, just to name a few. While, students would be able to improve their skills and access media at any time and any place, as they prepare to be a part of the technologically advanced work force. It is concluded that in order for teachers to be effective, technology must be used to support the desired outcome of teachers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Module 2- Journal Entry (Blogs)

During this module we created a blog and we learnt how to use it. We consistently used the blog that was created as an asynchronous tool. Also, we learnt about the advantages of using blog for teaching and learning, so that our classroom instruction and communication can be improved.

During this module we used platforms such as blogger.com and word press to create a blog. “Blogs are great educational tools and they give students complete freedom to publish content on the web.” Pappas C., (2013, September). Blog writing is formal. Blogs are like online journal. Comments can be left.

I will use blogs to in-cooperate technology with teaching. Students who are absent can have an advantage to keep up to date. Students can participate from anywhere at any time. Blogs promotes the “no child left behind” policy. It’s a good means of communication. Hence, I would in-cooperate this technology when I am planning for my students because it is very effective and the students will be able to practice and improve their skills.

Blogs can be used to improve learning. Blogs can be used to publish assignments and to keep students up to date. Teachers can use it to assist children to master a topic. It also helps the students to improve their writing. Blogs can be used for specific activities example, an upcoming prom. The classroom curriculum can be integrated using blogs. Pappas C., (2013, September). In education blogs are instructional platforms that are referred to as Edu-blogs. They are used for discussion, links to online resources, they can be used to share current events and much more. Richardson J. (2013). Blogs will most definitely improve classroom instruction and communication.

Reflection _ Module 3 &4

Reflection _ Module 3 & 4

ASSURE lesson planning serves as a guide for teachers who wish to in-cooperate technology with teaching. (Source) It gives specific guidelines that assist with lesson planning. This model encourages me to analyze learners so that I can plan according to the students’ academic ability and their learning style. Objectives must be stated. This is the reason for the lessons. All that the children are expected to learn. The lower level children will have less objectives when compared with less. Methods, Media and Material must be identified in advance. This will ensure that all that is needed to in-cooperate the technology with learning is accessible. Example: Advance preparations may be needed for group work, field trip, experiment or the use of computers. The ASSURE model encourages/emphasize that you state how you will use the materials or technology during the learning/ teaching process. This will ensure advance and thorough preparation so that everything would flow smoothly. Students participation is essential. The students must do work, whether its group activity, experiment, presentation etc. This would provide hands on experience for the students and create wonderful opportunity for the tactile learner. The students will be evaluated so that the can be clear understanding about their performance. The teacher will also check his/her performance. This will indicate if the lesson needs to be repeated.

ASSURE lesson planning served as a guide while I prepared my portfolio piece. I ensured that I took a step by step approach to plan for the topic, Protective Colouration. I Analyzed so that I can know about the children. I stated three Objectives because I am teaching children at the lower level. Then I selected Methods, Media and Materials, by identifying the materials needed as I made plans to have the students work in group. I stated how I will utilize Media and Material. I ensured that there was students participation; by letting the children do some of the work. Finally I was prepared to evaluate the students, by checking their performance and mine.

It was not difficult to identify the materials needed and the practice activity. However, although I had many ideas I was concerned about how to present them in my plan. I concluded that I needed to use a step by step approach in order to progress. After I started using this strategy I was able to progress to the end.

This knowledge will most definitely better my teaching experience because I am now able to carefully plan my lessons. Also I understand the vital role of technology when teaching. The students may not be skilled with technology but in-cooperating it provides a platform for them to learn.

In the future I will ensure that the children play a more active role. I will give them the opportunity to internalize information, values and skills. Children bring different styles of learning to the classroom. Commonwealth of learning (2012). Hence, I will use the ASSURE model so that I can cater for all the students.

Portfolio Piece 2 _ Blogs

Blogs are asynchronous ( you can respond later). Therefore, they can be used for many purposes although they may have main purposes. "A blog is  a simple website with a specific format. Articles are written, usually with the ability for visitors to leave a comment. Blogging is the way of sharing your knowledge, thoughts, or ideas to others.(Sitepoint)

Hence, blogs are great tools for teaching and learning. A class blog can be used to ask questions and to make contributions. I can have a class blog set up to discuss specific topics. References can be placed on this platform to assist students. The students can be updated about current activities. Journals can be presented on this site and constant communication can be maintained.Richardson J. pg 31 (2013). Blogging is very convenient.

My blog will be used to promote education by collaborating technology and education. I will use it as a platform to learn from others and as a platform to share so that others will learn from me. It will be used as a forum to keep up to date with all relevant activities. As an educator it will be used as a forum to motivate students to produce better quality work as they prepare for this technological age.

I am committed to using the blog that I created to communicate with my colleagues as we share our knowledge and experiences .I will continue to promote technology and education for teaching and learning.

References:
Richardson J. (2013) Technology in Education Workbook
www.sitepoint.com
escrapbooking.com

Finally, I have managed to create this Blog. Thank God!