Pre-Teaching Reflection

Assessing Prior Knowledge

So for the Lesson Preparation Reflection Blog post, I am writing about how students will gain more knowledge and what prior knowledge they have regarding this subject. Students need to know that racism is an ongoing problem even in the United States today. Students will get to experience real life racism by participating in an activity before the lesson is launched. During a recess or lunch period students will be given a green sticker or a blue sticker. Tell students that you can only hang out with other students who have similar stickers. After their lunch period is over, ask students how they felt being discriminated against. This information will be used to help students and myself come to a deeper understanding of racism and discrimination. The content of this lesson will be taught at this grade level because, students are coming into more mature situations. They will have to deal with real world circumstances. Students need to be aware that racism exists. This lesson will be taught during the spring so students can have the opportunity to participate in activities inside and outside of the classroom.

Designing Instruction

Students have diverse minds. They think creatively and pick up information very quickly. Students are smart, they are diverse, they understand things on a deeper level. I am using real world experiences and different-uncomfortable circumstances to help shape a student’s mind. These methods really open up a student’s eyes to the realm of racism and discrimination. I believe real world examples or real world experiences are the best teachers in life.

ITS NETS Standards

My lesson is diverse it is creative and it inspire students to be aware that racism exists and it’s a very real problem in the USA. It is creative because, it utilizes multiple forms of technology, it incorporates real world experiences and it makes student more aware of racism. Students will have the opportunity to use technology to: create a timeline, use a Venn Diagram, create a good slide or write a book using iauthor or even make a video using imovie. Also, I have included tons of media and tons of examples that can help students construct a great presentation. Students will be modeling digital age work and learning by creating timelines, using Venn Diagrams, using google technology to create slides, a report, etc. Students will be modeling digital responsibility by going onto teacher approved websites, they will always be able to accurately cite their sources and they will respect copyrights and abide by technology laws. All students will be given access to technology and resources. In my classroom I will make sure and address each and every need my students have including diverse and unique situations. When creating their projects, I will be monitoring students to make sure they are not engaging in inappropriate social interactions online. I will be scanning the room for inappropriate uses of technology and remove the student from our project if the student is not engaging in “safe” internet behavior.

In what learning environments would the technology resource I presented be appropriate?

Safety and Ethics would be appropriate in every learning environment. Whether it’s in a resource room or a classroom setting, students and teachers should know about Internet etiquette.

In what learning environments would the technology resource I presented NOT be appropriate?

The topic I talked about was safe, ethical and legal use of technology. I think the topic I presented would be appropriate for every school or classroom environment. It is important that students know the harmful affects and consequences of plagiarizing, sharing inappropriate information and cyber bullying. Every classroom should be made aware of how to be safe, smart and ethical on the Internet.

How might it be modified to be appropriate?

Safety and Ethics can’t be modified to be appropriate. However, you could make a presentation about safety and ethics and modify it by making it a fun and interesting discussion. If you present safety and ethics make sure students know that you are being serious however, make it fun and enjoyable.

What do you now know that needs to be considered when using technology in the classroom?

I now know that there are unsafe sites that students can have access to while using the Internet. I now know that plagiarism is an ongoing problem in the classroom. I now know that students have access to all kinds of social media on the Internet and that cyber bullying or inappropriate posts/pictures can surface at any time from any of my students in the classroom.

As a teacher it is my responsibility to consider all these scenarios and educate my students on the harmful affects or consequences of plagiarizing or sharing inappropriate  information on the Internet. I need to make sure my students understand it is not ok to bully someone online or share personal information to strangers.