How can I use technology to support my instructional practice?

• Incorporate framing questions that include the use of pictures or short video clips.
• Create captivating power point presentations to egnite interest for usually dull topics
• Have the students use blogs or message boards to encourage discussion over the topic
• Let the students use the internet to research information regarding the course topic
• Have the students create presentations/websites/or other media to display the knowledge that they have obtained

How can I facilitate a student-centered classroom?

by incorporating framing questions into every instructional topic, not just those that use project based learning. Doing this will also introduce the students to this kind of learning, preparing them for project based learning.
When using project based learning, I will make sure to incorporate appropriate facilitating materials in a number of different media to spawn new perspectives in the students and to keep them on track.

How can I support the diverse needs of learners?

This is a question that was hard for me to answer, since I am new to accommodating even the "normal" learners. But after talking with another teacher, I know that for the special needs students, I will just need to focalize the information for them, and maybe give them a presentation template for them to "fill out". For the gifted and talented students, I can teach them advanced multimedia effects to add to their presentation or have them include another topic of information. The ELL students I seem to have the hardest time accommodating. I guess I would conference with the ESL teacher for her opinions about what I could do.

How can I help my students become self-directed learners?

Give them various tools such as checklists, forms, and time lines so they know what is expected and when it is expected. This is something that the students will have to grow accustomed to. The first time that they are introduced to self-directed learning, they will need a lot of guidance and patience by the teacher.

How do I involve students in the assessment process?

The students are responsible for a self assessment and a peer assessment regarding the interaction, involvement, and teamwork of the groups performance.
They also participate in a teacher interview to gauge the progress of their work. The students are also given the rubric and scoring guide so that they know what is expected from the finished work.

How do I assess student learning?

I use various assessment tools such as K-W-L charts, checklists, interviews, rubrics, student self and peer evaluations and a final summative exam.

How can I ensure students will achieve the learning objectives when creating their student projects?

Providing them a rubric at the beginning, outlining what is expected of them. Giving them a check list of the steps that they need to complete for the project. Not to mention, assess, assess, assess....

How can the creation of a student sample help me clarify unit expectations and imporve my instructional design?

Creating a student sample, is my chance to "do the homework" as the students would. I gives me a chance to see the tasks through their eyes and gives me insight to whether I need to make adjustments to the unit plan.
This task also gives me a finished product so that I can give the students a standard to measure their own finished project against.

How can I ensure responsible and appropriate use of the internet?

Well, I as the Technology Director can utilize our district's internet filter and report on any misuses, or ATTEMPTS of misuses of the internet. However, the classroom teachers will not have that capability. They will have to be an alert and attentive presence when the students are online, but they can not monitor every student at the same time. I do expect them to know which students are likely to try to misuse this resource and monitor them closely.

How can I use the internet to support my teaching ans students' learning?

The internet has many uses other than research, which is probably going to be my number one reason for using it. However, along with research, I can have the students participate in blogs, wiki's, and collaborative documents.

How can I plan on-going student-centered assessment?

Assessment is not just testing what the student learned at the end of the project. Assessment needs to be a tool that I use to make sure that the students are traveling in the right direction and acquiring the knowledge from the project.
Assessment comes in all forms. Monitoring their progress, asking them questions on the subject, and finally grading their end result.
I must stay involved throughout the project to ensure the students are not only learning the subject matter, but also practicing the 21st century skills.

How can Curriculum-Framing Questions help support my student's learning?

Curriculum-Framing Questions keep projects focused on important learning. They encourage students to use higher-order thinking skills, help students fully unterstand essential concepts, and provide a structure for organizing factual information.
Essential Questions are broad to engage the students in the topic and get their wheels turning.
Unit Questions target the topic a little more and the students will analyze, theorize, and contemplate implications.
Content Questions support and provide understanding of the subject matter.

How can you use projects to enhance student learning?

Projects can be designed to corralate with any subject standard and to fit the needs of the class. Use projects to show students the relevance of what they are learning to their lives both present and future. Utilize projects to keep student's excited and interested about dull subjects.

How can projects help my students meet standards and develop 21st century skills?

Projects provide authentic and real-life contexts to apply what is being taught in the classroom. Technology plays a major role in research, analysis, and communication of the project results. By working in groups, the students learn accountability, adaptability, collaboration skills, social responsibility, self-direction, and critical thinking. These "21st century skills" can not be taught from text books and lectures.