Reflection #Mbili (That's 2 in Swahili)

1. Instructional Decisions/Teaching (InTask Standard # 9): Discuss the implementation process and describe

What went well and what didn't go well during the implementation of your lesson?

The work on StoryMaker was a success. The students were very engaged and enjoyed learning how to use this new application. It was nice to allow them to have some freedom to be creative and create a unique story. The students also enjoyed the story, it was engaging, entertaining, and connected well with the lesson.

Initially I had created an example story; however, it was tragically deleted, so I had no example. The students reflected in my peer survey that it would have been helpful if I would have an example of what I was expecting. At the same time, I enjoyed seeing the unique story lines they came up with and feel like they would have not been as creative if there was an example. I also was notified that I could have spent more time talking through dialogue. Overall, I felt like the lesson was a success.

How well was the alignment to objectives and standards maintained?

I feel like it was completely aligned with my objectives and standards. Throughout the whole lesson I was focused on teaching what dialogue is, how it is used in stories, and how to appropriately include it into their own story. I don’t really move away from that base objective.

Describe any modifications made during the implementation of the lesson

I went far faster than I would in a fourth grade classroom, because the students I was teaching were adults, so they already know how to punctuate dialogue and use it correctly. This lesson was supposed to take a total of 4 hours over a period of 4 days, I did this one in 30 minutes, so obviously not all the activities were completed. The final activity was not actually graded or scored because the students did not have enough time to complete it. About half of the lesson was “talked through”, as in I briefly stated what I would do. The students also worked individually, rather than in pairs.

2. Mechanics:

What technologies did I use (for the teacher and the learner)?

I used Ipads and the doc cam. The students used the application StoryMaker to create their final project.

How were the technologies used (by whom and in what manner)?

The teacher (me) used the Ipad to read the story to the students. If I were in a large classroom with many students I would use the doc cam to project the story larger so all could see it. But, since it was a small group of three I just read it to them in a semi circle.

The students used an application called StoryMaker on the Ipads to create a story book about Rufus for their final project. Some screenshots from those final projects are shown below.

My lesson was within the correct time frame

• It was short because…
• It was too long because…
• The lesson was within the correct time frame because…

My lesson end up being too short because it was supposed to be completed within the time frame of 4 hours over 4 days. The reason it was shortened is because I only had 30 minutes in class to teach it. Also, many of the concepts that would have to be taught in depth to fourth graders, do not have to be taught at all to adults who already have a firm understanding of this concept. I also want to give  the students plenty of time to create elaborate, interesting, creative stories. The stories created by my adult students were decent, but they did not have enough time to put really good planning and creating in.

3. Assessment of Learning (InTask Standard # 6): Refer to Assessing Student Learning

Include at least 2 digital artifacts that demonstrate what you or your students (peers) have created as a result of your lesson

Describe your students' level of success in achieving the standards and objectives for your lesson based on your assessment

The students did really well at grasping the concept of dialogue and its purpose in a story. They did not have enough time to complete the project in its entirety, so technically on the rubric, they would have done poorly, at no fault of their own. If they would have been given adequate time I know they would have completed wonderful final projects.  

Describe the level of success you had in teaching the lesson

• How do your individual reflections support this?
• How do the comments from your classmates support this?

I think I did fairly well with teaching the lesson, if technology had been more kind to me, it would have been even more awesome. But, you work with what you have. I think that I could have spent more time clarifying what I would do with my students and how I would teach them the concepts, because I feel like in my lesson plan I teach things thoroughly and well, but in my peer surveys I was notified that I did not do it enough. There was one activity that I was fairly proud of, but I had to skim over it due to time constraints, and I don’t think the idea was communicated clearly enough.

However, overall  I think I did very well. I taught it as quickly and well as I could, and allowed enough time for them to explore StoryMaker and create short stories. They commented that they really enjoyed learning how to use StoryMaker and see it as a potential tool they could use in their future classroom. I was glad to expose them to it and show them just one of the many ways it could be used.