Portfolio Reflection
Please click here for a Portfolio Reflection Word document: Portfolio Reflection
Description:
In my EDMT 380 class during the
spring semester of 2004 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, I created
Project #1, a lesson plan incorporating the use of instructional software and
a topic hotlist pertaining to the identification of trees along with the use
of math software for those 4th to 6th students who need the extra practice in
that specific area. I made this website in the mindset that other teachers could
refer to it and possibly take my ideas and modify them into something they may
be able to use in their own classroom.
After compiling information and incorporating it into this project, I took time to reflect on how my website would fit with any of the Wisconsin Teaching or ISTE Technology standards. I decided that the Wisconsin Teaching Standard #7 fits best with Project #1. This standard states that “Teachers are able to plan different kinds of lessons. The teacher organizes and plans systematic instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, pupils, the community, and curriculum goals.” My project exemplifies this standard by the way that it adapts itself to all students’ needs. There are multiple parts to this lesson that allow the students to focus on several different aspects of tree identification, but it also allows students to focus on areas, specifically math, that are more troublesome for them, giving them the opportunity to improve themselves in those areas.
Analysis:
As stated in Wisconsin Teaching Standard #7, this project allows teachers to identify students’ problem areas, and create a lesson that will allow students to focus not only on the lesson concepts but also, focus on improving their problem areas. For this reason, project #1 fits specifically under Wisconsin Teaching Standard #7, because it adapts itself to all students’ needs. Project #1 is incredibly strong in this area of the standard, but it may fall weak in the community aspect. Project #1 does not focus on the community at all, unless you were to consider the identification of trees as being part of the community. I think a way that this could become a stronger part of this project would be to invite a guest speaker of the community in, who is somewhat of an expert in tree identification, or as a teacher to take a walking field trip with the students and go out into the community identifying as many different trees as possible, of course with the permission of the owners of those trees and property. What I learned most about this standard is that there are always ways a teacher can tweak their lesson so that it becomes more adaptable to the students. It is important that it fits into the curriculum, but it is more important that as teachers we are conscious of the needs of all of our students and that we provide an opportunity to them to meet those needs. I think in essence this is what Wisconsin Teaching Standard #7 really stands for. Overall, I think I have reached this standard with moderate competence. Although, there are some areas that I may be able to adapt more, overall, the ideas and ways of implementation are there and should be successful with the students.
Reflecting on Growth:
After reflecting and projecting
to the future, I have thought about how effective this lesson would be in a
classroom setting. It really fits in with my philosophy of using centers within
the classroom. What I like most about this set up, is that it allows for students
to not feel singled out because of their difficulties with a specific subject
or topic. With that being said, I think I would try to focus on making more
of my lessons in this manner as a way of reaching out to those students who
need that extra time to fully comprehend and understand those difficult subjects.
Overall, I am now better equipped as a teacher to organize and plan systematic
instruction that will be able to work within all my students needs and conceptual
levels.
Last
Updated
May 13, 2004
Questions or Comments? Contact:
rottiesj@uwec.edu
| Home | UW-Eau Claire Electronic Portfolio | Web Instructional Strategies | Project #1 | Lesson Plan | Web Component | Software Evaluation | Portfolio Reflection | Project #2 | Draft Lesson Plan | Treatment | Storyboard and Script | Final Lesson Plan |