Link to Matrix
My final project is based on an Art lesson of the symbols used by the Aborigines in their artworks (taken from CURR 310).
Selected technologies + Identified teaching strategies = Achievement of Standard
The formula above has been used & proved throughout my matrix. First I obtained my educational goal. Then I started analyzing my lesson & selected standards to line up with my educational goal. I began to think about what strategies & then technologies I would have to use to achieve the initial standards. I kept asking myself, "Does this technology support this strategy and if yes, together will they help my students achieve the learning targets/standards?" I also made sure each assessment, formal or informal, both measured the students comprehension of the content materials relating to the NJCCCS standards, but also provided opportunity to demonstrate their achievement of the NETS-S standards.
Day 1 of my lesson would be spent lecturing students about elements found in Aboriginal Art, projected on the SmartBoard. I would use the SmartBoard to mark up artworks so students could visually see the elements discussed. Next students would choose a work to dissect & engage in research & inquiry using appropriate technology. Finally students would put together a brief presentation using the SmartBoard to mark up their work. I would use their presentations as an informal assessment to judge their depth of understanding on the content/achievement of standard and their use of technology as a tool for research and presentation.
Day 2 would reflect on our prior knowledge. Students will engage in research & inquiry again using appropriate technologies. Individually students will compare & contrast the symbols (their meanings) & elements found in Aboriginal Art and record/reflect their new knowledge on our art class website/blog. After, peer reflection will take place by commenting on students posts. Class ends with a large group discussion mediated by the students & teacher using the SmartBoard to mark their points & make educated assumptions based on their findings. This will serve as another informal assessment to determine their depth of understanding of content materials & use of technology as a tool for research, evaluation, & reflection.
Day 3 will be art-making. I begin with a demonstration using the ELMO camera. Students will then individually create works that reflect their understanding of the Aboriginal Art elements & their cultural/social commentary using Model Magic. I contemplated on substituting this material for KidPix, Paint or an iPad, which would ultimately teach the same concepts. Students will share their works in progress via our art class website/blog & students can
collaborate/record their progress. Their final pieces & art class website/blog progress is another informal assessment to determine if their works demonstrate their understanding of Aboriginal Art, & if their progress shows comprehension of the simulation.
It would be interesting to make demonstrations into student-centered strategies by assigning students a demonstration to research & prepare to teach the class.
Day 4 would be a class critique. Students will prepare a presentation using appropriate technology. All students will fill out self-evaluations & peer evaluations using rubrics on Google Docs Forms (I fill out a teacher evaluation). To end class we engage in a large group discussion using the SmartBoard to project students works as we discuss them, this time 'formally'- using proper terminology while marking their work. The critique & discussion are informal assessments (for teacher to adjust lessons) to evaluate &assess students understanding 1) in a casual setting & 2) 'formal' setting. Evaluations would be formal assessments used to give feedback from peers & teacher.
The final day provides students with closure through a large group discussion using the SmartBoard to project & mark images, and provide one last reflection. The discussion would initiate student thinking on the context of the art & help students determine if they consider these works, Art. Students will gather information to support their beliefs using appropriate technologies. They will create presentations to share using Google Docs Presentation, our art class website/blog or other appropriate technologies. This lesson ends with Q&A supported by visuals on the projector. Everything except the information gathering, would be an informal assessment to determine if we achieved standards, & if students are in line with the NETS-S standards.
The formula mentioned in the beginning proved to be the ultimate tool in transforming a lesson to have technologies that support learning strategies, & together create the opportunity to achieve standards while assessing students to ensure the greatest learning outcome possible.
