Here is my baseline thoughts on the importance of STEM education created with a colleague.
How has your "parking lot speech" changed? How has it been reinforced
through your research and conversations? Are you ready to deliver it?
I think my parking lot has changed to incorporate new to me facets of STEM. One thing I would add is focusing on minorities and women in STEM. Perhaps this is personal to me being a former female STEM career member but it is also personal because of the students I interact with on a daily basis. I want them to have brighter futures with unlimited possibilities knowing that they can do things they thought were impossible. STEM allows that to happen! I have a number of female chemistry students that came in with the idea that chemistry is hard and that they would not do well. These thoughts were reinforced by their parents. These students now come to my class excited to learn because they have had a positive interaction with chemistry. Everyday, I tell my students that they are learning important skills that can be used outside the chemistry classroom and teach them how to use these skills in their daily interactions with the world. One area that I am looking forward to researching more is STEAM. I think STEAM has great potential to close the gender gap in STEM career fields. As I learn and research more areas of STEM, I believe my parking lot speech will continue to shift and change. In fact, I do not think I will have a completely final speech but in the interim I will continue to share my beliefs and idea with others.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Action Research Project Final - 690
The following link is for the final version of my action research project.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Student Abilities - ED 710
I truly believe that all students have the ability to learn but that students should not be measured against each other. Also, that measuring student learning against a standard is not always the best option. Many students learn differently and in my classroom I attempt to point our small victories as much as bigger ones. By providing an appropriate environment for student learning, I think all learners can make advancements in knowledge. This sometimes means going beyond the written accommodations to ensure student success. One student I have is extremely bright but has difficulty getting it in writing. When available, I will scribe for him so that he has grades that are consistent with his true abilities and are not limited by his disabilities. Providing varied opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge is key in creating an environment where all students have equal opportunities to learn.
By providing the right environment for student learning, it is safe to say that showing learning would need to be done in a variety of ways. While accommodating and shifting things to work for one student, that student should be able to display their knowledge in a way that fits in their environment. While one student is able to provide written evidence another student might need to provide verbal evidence. Both types show a student learning while varying in delivery to accommodating the individual needs of the learner.
An initiative my school is doing for third quarter is to highlight students that are late bloomers and not focus on honor roll students. They have asked us to nominate students that perhaps had a rocky start but have really pulled it together and have made important changes. I think this is a fantastic idea because the students that qualify for this initiative would generally not be recognized in school. It provides these lower achieving students with an initiative to continue on a positive path and make leaps in their learning.
One of the students I have chosen was one that had a very difficult start to the year. Bordering between failing and barley passing, this student has been quite un-engaged in learning. Recently, she has really made a flip and has made some very mature decisions. She is recognizing her downfalls and is adjusting herself to make changes. She will leave her phone charging by my desk and has selected a seat away from friends so that she can perform better. I have gotten in the habit of pointing out these mature decisions and rewarding her with high fives and positive home contacts. While this student may not be top of her class, she has clearly made huge leaps in achievement and her true abilities are shining through.
By providing the right environment for student learning, it is safe to say that showing learning would need to be done in a variety of ways. While accommodating and shifting things to work for one student, that student should be able to display their knowledge in a way that fits in their environment. While one student is able to provide written evidence another student might need to provide verbal evidence. Both types show a student learning while varying in delivery to accommodating the individual needs of the learner.
An initiative my school is doing for third quarter is to highlight students that are late bloomers and not focus on honor roll students. They have asked us to nominate students that perhaps had a rocky start but have really pulled it together and have made important changes. I think this is a fantastic idea because the students that qualify for this initiative would generally not be recognized in school. It provides these lower achieving students with an initiative to continue on a positive path and make leaps in their learning.
One of the students I have chosen was one that had a very difficult start to the year. Bordering between failing and barley passing, this student has been quite un-engaged in learning. Recently, she has really made a flip and has made some very mature decisions. She is recognizing her downfalls and is adjusting herself to make changes. She will leave her phone charging by my desk and has selected a seat away from friends so that she can perform better. I have gotten in the habit of pointing out these mature decisions and rewarding her with high fives and positive home contacts. While this student may not be top of her class, she has clearly made huge leaps in achievement and her true abilities are shining through.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Research Project 690 - Part 2
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cw3yUIeMjXiZFVZdeHkzTi7FQMWpYL9YLNMQdP4-P_s/edit
Above is the link to my updated planning sheet. In order to complete the sheet, I need to focus on the research behind the issue. I have a good idea of timeline, implementation, and stakeholders already.
Above is the link to my updated planning sheet. In order to complete the sheet, I need to focus on the research behind the issue. I have a good idea of timeline, implementation, and stakeholders already.
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