Lesson Planning for Inquiry-based Lessons (Blog Post #6)

Inquiry learning is a way of learning in which engaging experiential learning and community outreach is an integral component of instruction and assessment. 

~ Danielle Armstrong   

I recently participated in a professional learning session on inquiry-based instruction and it was very eye-opening.  I experienced three forms of inquiry learning: structured, guided and open.  Prior to this session, I did not understand that there are different levels of exposure to this process. Now I am considering how this will impact my lesson planning. 

Learning about Argumentation,Discorse and Inquiry-based learning with the wonderful teachers of DCSD!!! @DeKalbSchools @DCSDSTEM pic.twitter.com/59I2m52WCI

— Danielle Armstrong (@DanielleDda28) June 5, 2018

I am currently designing three mini-lessons on force, mass and motion for an 8th grade physical science class.  To add to the lessons authenticity, I plan to include an engaging scenario that allows my students to use their understanding of the concepts in a way that allows for choice and creativity. Engaging the students with the task of being a modern-day toymaker, will provide for multiple opportunities for engagement, action and representation.  With the goal to elicit deep understanding of the concepts, I will include strategies that allow students to not only express their understanding, but evaluate the ideas of their peers, revise ideas and offer an excellent opportunity for authentic assessment. Technology will not only be used to present information, but to document evidence, provide feedback to others and to share ideas with the digital community with the incorporation of web 2.0 tools.

The use of technology in the mini-lessons provides a seamless incorporation of many of the principles of inquiry.  Communication with experts will require the use of technical tools that will enhance student digital fluency skills.  The use of Skype will allow me to communicate with toymakers globally to assist with refining the rubric and critique student ideas in real time. A class discussion is featured daily to provide the opportunity for students to express their understanding of the importance of ethical citizenship. 

It is so refreshing to share my ideas with you. Incorporating all of the standards, models and principles can seem daunting, but being able to get feedback from fellow educators will ensure that my students are experiencing true inquiry-based learning. In other words, provide suggestions and feedback in the comments section below.   Stay tuned for future posts with links to my lessons. 

Personal Goal Setting- Self-Check #1 (Blog #5)

A major element in both improving intellectually and emotionally involves the formation of personal goals. The video Carol Dweck: Mindset Interview provides a great overview of how remembering that with perseverance and a positive attitude, anything can be accomplished.  Understanding that the brain can grow with training is the ultimate key in reaching any goal.  Earlier this semester, I created some personal goals for myself. In pursuit of reaching my digital fluency goals, it is time to complete a self-check to determine how far I have come in reaching my goals.

Goal 1: How do I know if the information I am finding is a reputable source?

Currently I search for references in many of the blogs and infographics I find.  As I review my list of sites, many are from vetted sources, but I must admit, sites such as Edutopia or NSTA, I do not review the sources or question the information as much.  Also, I can not reference many of the infographics I have on my Pinterest boards.  After this self-check, I will use the Digital Information Fluency Model to guide me in measuring my progress. I need to continue to progress towards summarizing my sources and supporting them with resource validation (a new goal!).  I like the way Robin Good set up his PLN to include summaries and references. 

Goal 2: How can I catalog my resources so that I can find them easily to share them with others? 

As I am progressing in this area, I also realized that I have been doing this in various forms prior to setting this goal.  My preferred curation site is Pinterest.  I have several boards with information that I refer to and share with friends and colleagues. I share news, politics and recipes on my Facebook page, but do not have them cataloged through personal groups or pages. I have been sharing information via Google+ and Twitter and will increase my postings.  I now have a Symbaloo account and am using it to store and catalog important sites.

Goal 3: How can I share my creations with others?

This is one of my most lofty goals.  I am a collector by nature, but sharing is something I am progressing toward.  Currently, I only have a few Twitter followers, but it is increasing.  The more pertinent information I share, the more retweets and the followers will come.  I am also posting more frequently on Google+ and my followers have increased.  I need to do more research in this area in the upcoming weeks to increase the impact of what I am sharing to increase the number of people I can support.

In these short four weeks, I learned a lot and curated just as much.  It is amazing the way technology has enabled us to save all the great information out there. I truly appreciate the individuals that have organized it and shared it with the world to make all our lives easier.  I am excited about becoming a curation hero, sharing vetted information with all of those that choose to benefit from it…. (cue Star Trek theme song)!

Letting Go (Blog #4)

Whenever I share my testimony about letting go of control in my classroom, I can still feel the pain in the pit of my stomach.  How will my students learn without me lecturing them?  Will they work well together or will one student do all of the work? If I had not seen examples of other teachers using inquiry in their classes, I would not have had the courage to try it in my class.  I remember observing a class and wanting to join in on the lesson, it was engaging and rigorous at the same time.  We had to think in this class and it lead to great learning. Principal Chris Lehman spoke of similar experiences in the webinar Chris Lehman- Inquiry: The Very First Step in the Process of Learning.  He mentioned students at his school love going to class and this is a result of using inquiry learning in each classroom.  This is what gave me the courage to release the balloon because I wanted my students to not just memorize scientific facts, but become scientists.

Technology is a tool that allows me to support my students in inquiry-based learning.
 It provides convenient way to for my students to ask and research questions in problem based learning cases.   Using Web 2.0 tools I was able to provide resources, monitor progress and provide feedback at any time.  The students learn at home at their own pace and we practice using their new knowledge via problem solving in class.  In the article, "Great Teaching Means Letting Go", Grant uses the analogy of coaching to describe the process of allowing your students to practice the game so that the coach has the opportunity to observe the players, provide feedback and allow for student reflection.  This is were great teaching takes place.  Students are allowed to explore the content and apply what they have learned in the hopes of making this world better than it was.

I look back now and know I could never go back to the lecture and lab days in my class.  I am a much better teacher today, because I teach more like a coach.  Before my summative assessments, my students have the opportunity to practice using the skills they have acquired through class drills to solve real-world problems.  I focus more on their performance and reflection.  I provide time for one on one and group conferencing to provide timely feedback. My students are engaged and they connect more to the practice of being a scientists and know that they can impact the world around them.

Reflective Searching

Hello all.  Have you ever had to search for something online and have not been able to find the answers you need?  I have and it is very frustrating, especially since Google has spoiled me to the instant search and find.  On any normal day I can search a topic and do not have a problem finding it. For example, I was looking for a vegan restaurant near me and in an instant, there were several to choose from. Yay and yum yum.  I can search for the everyday things I need, health questions, recipes, or make travel arrangements, but ask me about the third chapter of a novel written in 1810 and I do not know where to start. After reading articles on teen searching trends, I must be truly young at heart because I follow some of the same practices.  I tend to put in full questions in the search and do not use multiple search engines (Google is my favorite). I do however, check several sites to ensure what I find is accurate and pay close attention to the authors of the article to determine the validity of the information.  To be honest with you, I was not aware of all of the short cuts and tricks we can use to really "find" information on Google. Now I have some homework; practice using search tools!!

Am I Digitally Fluent?(Blog Post #2)

Information fluency is a major topic of research for me currently and the result of my current quest lead to a deeper understanding of what is really necessary to develop a true learning network.  One of the major concepts that resonates is the comparison of digital literacy and digital fluency.  I see I have my work cut out for me in reaching my goal of becoming fluent.  I am currently digital literate demonstrated in my understanding of how to use many platforms.  I need to become digitally fluent; able to use technology to communicate and create in all facets required in the situation.

 I do feel able to take on the task after reviewing ways to foster inquiry, a skill I need to reach my goals.  Understanding that it is necessary to take small steps toward increasing skills and that I must be flexible when learning new things will help increase efficiency and effectiveness.  Every misstep is a leap toward learning something new, so I will look forward to failures along the way.  Most importantly, be sure the work is engaging and enjoyable!

Personal Goal Setting (Blog #1)

I absolutely love searching the web for answers to questions.  From the mundane to the advanced, the internet is my go to.  How do I know if the information I am finding is a reputable source? How can I catalog my resources so that I can find them easily and share them with others?  How can I share my creations with others?  These questions will be answered through my lessons in this course.  I hope to not only be able to find awesome resources that are reputable, share them with others and include some of my creations all in one place.  I have one semester to create this space for myself and my colleagues.  Wish me luck!