Personalization

As ACS continues training at the secondary level, Rachel has emphasized personalization of instruction as both best practice and a management strategy. Moving from theory to practice is a process that begins with an understanding of personalization. Edutopia helps by identifying ten tips that focus on a productive environment in which every child is engaged.  

http://www.edutopia.org/stw-differentiated-instruction-ten-key-lessons

Featured iPad Apps

One of the tips from Edutopia is to automate special skills training. In our world, for better or worse, this includes ACT testing. Practice is necessary both for timing as well as phrasing of questions. Many classes are using ACT practice as warm up activities. Several apps are available that provide practice, including a free app from ACT called ACT student. The disadvantage is the limited number of test questions, but the advantage, besides being free, is the immediate feedback for students (which happens to be another personalization tip from Edutopia!)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/actstudent/id431920584?mt=8

Maximizing Google

Google has several applications that support Edutopia's tip number two: Gather and Use Immediate Feedback on Student's Understanding.

In previous posts, examples of Google script to grade forms and using YouTube videos have been identified. Both are easy to create, provide immediate feedback and provide for multiple ways of engagement. When considering multiple means of engagement and video, often viewing is assigned as a passive activity. However, enabling the comment feature and assigning questions changes the engagement.

Edutopia has a tutorial on practical ways to use YouTube in your classroom: 

http://www.edutopia.org/youtube-educational-videos-classroom

In addition, by integrating videos into a web presence or learning management system, assignments can be 

created that require student response. Assignments can be set up to be a general class discussion, or submitted 

individually, depending upon the type of formative assessment you are seeking.

Getting the Most Out of Your Learning Platform

The blog has focused, and will continue to focus on Moodle and Edmodo. However, as Rachel has encouraged the use of Schoology a review of the systems may be helpful. A great overview is this article comparing the three platforms: http://wazmac.com/discussion/edmodo-v-moodle-schoology/

The article is helpful as it provides the benefits and limitations of each instead of promoting one over the other. 

It is accurate to say that Moodle requires more training and support, but I am happy to partner with you for 

successful implementation. Edmodo is the easiest to use, but most limited in features. Schoology falls between

the two, but has an app available for the iPad. However, much like the Google Drive app, simply having an app 

does not mean that the functionality of the web based product is found in the app. Technology, in this case the 

iPad as the tech tool, should not drive decisions. Moodle is clunky on the iPad, but fully functional. Edmodo

and Schoology have apps, so operate more smoothly with the iPad, but do not provide full functionality.

At the minimum, consider the following as necessary elements for the face of your classroom.

1. Calendar for assignments and due dates.

2. Integration with tools already using

3. Assignment access

4. Assignment submission

It may be possible for you to simply use your ACS class website as you begin personalization simply by adding

the features identified above.

Twitter Friday Follow 

With so many resources from Edutopia, it is a natural progression to recommend as my Friday Follow. Tweets are mostly articles with explanations and links to tutorials and tools. The focus on pedagogy over tool choice follows best practice policies.

Library News

Connecting the library space and resources with personalization of instruction requires only one thing: collaboration! Modeling to students how professionals work in teams provides them an important experience and frame of reference. Other ways to connect:

* student choice of space for working and learning

* Makers space for creativity breaks or ways to demonstrate understand learning

* 1:1 student assistance for technology from the library staff