Blog F: Chapter 11 Engaging Students in Performance Assessment and Reflective Learning and
             Chapter 12: Integrating Technology and Creating Change as Teacher Leaders

Digital portfolios can be used in various teaching tools.  Teachers can use a digital portfolio to share with potential employers.  They can also be used as an introduction to the teacher and his/her classroom to the students and parents.  Also, students can use digital portfolios to put together all of the work they completed all year.  This would be a " learning portfolio" in a sense.  There are pros and cons of students using a digital portfolio.  Pros include more practice and use of the computer and technology, resulting in the student becoming more proficient in its use.  Students tend to be more engaged in working on the computer rather than with pen and paper.  The computer also allows them to become creative with all of the web tools available.  Some cons can be the fact that not everyone is that knowledgeable on using the computer, therefore they may need more teacher assistance than planned for.  Also, some students may become more involved in building the fashion and look of their portfolio rather than the concentrating on the content of their portfolio.


Another subject that caught my eye in Chapter 11 is from page 288, "Reasons for Teaching with Clickers".  This heading refers to teaching with student response systems.  This system looks like it would engage the student.  Instead of listening to the teacher give a lecture and then have the traditional hand raise and call on an individual to answer, the clickers give each and every student a "voice" to answer each and every question.  The software can then also track each student individually as well as a whole.  The software also has the capability to prepare charts of the results of the answers.  In my opinion this is a win situation, students are active learners, and are involved, and you have real-time feedback.  According to Jeff Miller the author of  "Pick and Click: Interactive Assessment Goes to School" in the journal Edutopia, the classroom response system can also be used to evaluate individual students, therefore you can record test scores from this system.  This in turn can save the school money by not printing those multiple choice assessments teachers normally use in the classroom.  The data is captured and recorded from the clicker through the software onto the computer.  What an advantage to cutting some costs in the classroom.  Along with cutting down paperwork.  I would be interested to see how this works.

Last, Cooperative Learning and Group work stood out for me in chapter 12.  There are real advantages for students to work in groups.  First, they learn to work together as a team.  Each team member must take on the responsibility of performing their part for the success of not only themselves but also for their team.  It is not always easy to do due to the fact that some individuals do not take their role as a team member seriously.  Sometimes people believe they can rely on the rest of the team to pick up their slack.  Aside from individual responsibility, there are some more advantages.  Students learn from one another.  Students get the opportunity to take on a leader role.  In a group someone usually needs to take on that lead role and take control to make sure everything is completed and each member takes on an active role.  Cooperative learning gives students opportunities to learn not only from the instructor but also from each other. Plus most lessons of this nature allows them to be creative.


In conclusion, As a teacher I plan on using a digital portfolio in my classroom.  I think it would be really interesting and engaging to have students prepare a portfolio as a "learning portfolio" to show all they have completed throughout the year.  It would be a great thing for them to see how they progressed through the year but also a nice thing for their parents to see.  Next, I would like to try the student response system.  It really seems like it would be fun to use and keep the students engaged in learning.  Plus I like the idea of the software not only tracking as a whole but also individual students.  It could really make learning interesting.  Last, cooperative learning, or group work.  I have not always been a big advocate for group projects due to the fact that I like to take charge and complete assignments on my own.  I don't mind working in a group, but I don't like having to depend on other people.  I have not always had great success with it, but I do see the benefit in working with others.  I know you learn from others.  It is also good to get different perspectives on things from your team.  Plus you can have personal growth from working with a team.  I will have group work in my classroom.  It is important to be able to work with others.  I just want to make sure everyone is held accountable for their contributions.

Resources

Edwards, Sharon A., Maloy, Robert W., Verock-O’Loughlin, Ruth-Ellen., and Woolf, Beverly Park. Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd edition. 2014.

Miller, Jeff. Pick and Click: Interactive Assessment Goes to School. Edutopia. 12-19-07. http://www.edutopia.org/assessment-classroom-response-systems

you tube video. Student response system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUIy1TzHSNQ