The 4 Door Entry Points for Professional Learning

In my ICT Specialist class, we are encouraged to use self-reflections to track our Professional Learning and develop next steps in our PD journey.

I used the 4-Door Entry Point Analysis Reflection to reflect on my professional learning journey.

I am completing my ICT Specialist and one of my assignments is to create an instructional video for a piece of technology.  Since I am a regular user of Google Classroom, I made my video on the first steps in using this piece of software.

Enjoy!

Excited to be part of #ProjectInnovation 
through #STAO 2017!

Assessment 4: A Learning Station

Deepening our Content Knowledge for Teaching

By: Kinga Pelechaty


Welcome to my Learning Station!  Please review the content provided and provide your feedback!

I chose to profile the TIPS4M:  Continuum & Connections “Solving Equations & Using Variables as Place Holders.” booklet for this learning station.

Key Student Learnings for this Topic

Scaffolding of:

a)    Increasingly complex Computational Skills

b)    Increasingly moving from trial & error, to graphing, to algebraic (linear & quadratic) expressions

c)    Working with integers, decimals & whole numbers

d)    Developing skills with formulas, substituting, solving & developing formulas

e)    Estimating results, identifying trends and drawing conclusions from data

f)     Distinguishing between linear and non-linear relationships & generating equations, linking & describing how these equations apply to geometric relationships, quadratic formulas & rates of change

g)    Drawing graphs by hand from data & representing linear & quadratic relations

Key Points for Enrichment -   Use models that are relevant, appropriate, powerful and well-crafted - the following video explains the use of good models:

Click the title caption to watch.

Models: Powerful Tools for Thinking

Learning Task

Note: Task & Solutions obtained from TIPS4M:  Continuum & Connections “Solving Equations & Using Variables as Place Holders.”, p. 27-32.

Please solve this task:

Once you have completed your solutions, review the possible solutions to this problem, by grade:

Solution A:

Solution B:

Solution C:

Solution D:

Solution E:

Reflect on the skills and knowledge the students would need to correctly solve the questions, in each grade.  Please answer the following questions:

1)    What are some possible errors students could make at each grade level?

2)    Why do you think the students could make those errors?

3)    What misconceptions could be underlying here?

4)    What could you as an educator do to address these misconceptions?

Continue to the next section to compare your ideas and review Resources and Connections.

Key Student Challenges/Misconceptions for this Topic

a)    Not following through on reading the entire problem and understanding the question

b)    Lack of understanding in how to isolate a variable in an equation

c)    Confusion with distributive properties & integer operations across the equal sign (when to add, subtract, multiply or divide)

d)    Confusion about the variable’s job as a placeholder

e)    Confusion in distribution of values when one side has a fraction

f)     Difficulty in working with operations involving fractions

g)    Sign (+/-) errors in computations

h)    Poor understanding that equations balance

i)      Inability to work with variables other than x

j)      Poor understanding of equations as a model of the situation – leading to inability to generate equations for specific problems

The following are Resources on student misconceptions in this theme :

a)  http://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewResourceAssessment/Preview/59188

b)  https://nctm.confex.com/nctm/2013MD/webprogram/Session20490.html

c)  https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/linear-equation-misconceptions-ccssmdc

d)  https://www.quora.com/What-are-common-misconceptions-about-solving-equations

e)  https://danpearcymaths.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/solving-linear-equations-algebraically-november-8th/

f)   http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/article-misconceptions-solving-equations/

Which misconceptions did you identify?  Did any of these surprise you?  Why?

Please post your ideas in the comment section!

To help in designing rich math tasks, please feel free to review the following resources:

Professional Resources to Support this Theme

Mr. Barton’s Math Blog – A website created by a maths teacher that provides examples of rich, inquiry-based math lessons, and targets student achievement and common student misconceptions

http://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/

The Learning Exchange – An online math education resource built in consultation with Ontario’s Ministry of Education’s Student Achievement Division where the resources are developed by educators: excellent source of videos and research-based ideas for mathematics learning & development.

http://thelearningexchange.ca/

Basic transformations and action chaining in the Graspable Math Canvas

 Great Maths Teaching Ideas – An online math education resource created by William Emeny, a secondary school Leading Practitioner and Head of Maths working at Wyvern College in Hampshire, England, that promotes the use of  Numberfile videos to communicate mathematics ideas/lessons in the classroom.

http://www.greatmathsteachingideas.com/

CPALMS – An online resource with math lesson ideas, reflection on student misconceptions and how to address them and worksheet downloads and resources for teachers.

http://www.cpalms.org/Public/

Mr. Buckton 4 Maths – An excellent resource created by a UK teacher, Tim Buckton, for teaching linear equations from scratch. There are levelled/graded worksheets, loop cards, discussion activities, flipchart activities (requires Active Studio to be installed) and amazing interactive Excel resources.

https://www.tes.com/member/mrbuckton4maths

https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/interactive-solving-equations-ks3-gcse-6110180

NRICH Mathematics – A website with many resources for teaching rich math lessons.

http://nrich.maths.org/frontpage

Tap Into Teen Minds – a Website developed by Kyle Peace, a math teacher, in partnership with, and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education to create a paperless learning environment by introducing a class set of iPads.  The purpose of the project was to increase engagement and student perception of learning mathematics, to iprove student achievement in mathematics, and to use non-cost prohibitive technology to solve real-world problems using math.

https://tapintoteenminds.com/3act-math/

Andrew Busch – Rich Math Tasks – A great website resource for rich math tasks in intermediate level maths.

http://www.andrewbusch.us/math-tasks.html

YouCubed – A website developed by Stanford University offering links to brain research, pedagogical insights and specific tasks that can form the foundation for a rich mathematical task in the class.

https://www.youcubed.org/tasks/

How This Theme Connects to Other Grades & Strands

Big Ideas

Connections across the grades from grade 7 through to grade 10:

• representing linear growing patterns (where the terms are whole numbers) using concrete materials, graphs, algebraic expressions and equations;

• modeling real-life linear relationships graphically and algebraically, and solving simple algebraic equations using a variety of strategies, including inspection, guess and check and using a “balance” model.

• solving problems involving proportional reasoning;

• simplifying numerical and polynomial expressions in one variable, and solving simple first-degree equations.

• manipulating and solving algebraic equations, as needed to solve problems;

• graphing a line and writing the equation of a line from given information;

• solving systems of two linear equations, and solving related problems that arise from realistic situations.

Connections across Strands: In Grade 7:

Number Sense & Numeration:  Students learn computational, estimation, integer and mathematical operations strategies.

Measurement:  Students develop skills with equations in measurement, learn to substitute in for values, and learn to develop formulas.

Data Management & Probability:  Students learn to draw conclusions from data & identify trends.

Connections across Strands: In Grade 8:

Number Sense & Numeration:  Students learn exponential notation and how to solve problems with integer operations.

Measurement:  Students develop formulas and solve problems using those formulas.

Geometry & Spatial Sense:  Students use equations to determine geometric relationships and determine algebraic relationships to geometric properties.

Data Management & Probability:  Students compare theoretical & experimental probability, interpret & draw conclusions from data & identify trends.

Connections across Strands: In Grade 9:

Number Sense & Numeration:  Students learn exponential notation and how to solve problems with integer operations.

Measurement & Geometry:  Students solve problems involving geometric & algebraic relationships involving the Pythagorean Theorem, and use equations to determine geometric relationships, and in solving problems.

Analytic Geometry:  Students distinguish between linear and non-linear relationships, write equations of lines, graph lines by hand, & explain geometric relationships, identify and explain any restrictions on the variables in a linear relation and determine the point of intersection. 

Linear Relationships:  Students represent linear realtions, determine the equation of a line, & describe the effects of changing conditions on a linear graph.

Connections across Strands: In Grade 10:

Number Sense & Numeration:  Students solve problems using similar triangles, trigonometric rations and geometric properties.

Modeling Linear Relations:  Students write equations, graph lines by hand, determine the equation of a line and point of intersection on a graph, and solve systems of equations.

Quadratic Relations:  Students determine quadratic relations through experiment and graphically represent quadratic relations.

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR COMMENTS AND INPUT!  😁

I recently worked on a mind map for a Differentiated Instruction assignment.
Here is the final map.

Ms. Shirany Yogendran's blog has some great resources and I absolutely loved her link to the TED Ed video on "Can you solve the Bridge Riddle?".  A great resource to help students develop their critical thinking skills in co-operative learning groups.

http://syogendran.blogspot.ca/

Ms. Ashleigh Williams is an elementary teacher with loads of resources on her blog to make student learning and teacher lesson design fun and interactive.  Check out her blog for great info on Google Slides, creating your own YouTube channel, Quizlet, Instagram, Green Screen Technology and many more....!

http://awill13.blogspot.ca/

Showcasing another great fellow teacher's blog, I invite you to check out Daniel Rasquinha's blog.

He has been very involved in making interesting and engaging instructional videos on topics that all teachers struggle with when trying to integrate technology into the classroom; Quizlet, Instagram, Google Drive, Google Slides, Meme Generator, Breakout EDU... and many more. Happy Viewing!

http://mrrasquinha.blogspot.ca/

A fellow traveller in the journey of educational technology (albeit one who is far more advanced in her journey than I) Angela Kurmey, runs an excellent BLOG on Integrating Technology in the Classroom.

A veteran of Technology use in the Classroom, Ms. Kurmey's blog includes tutorials on how to navigate and master GAFE programs such as Google Forms and Extensions for Teachers, as well as other tools such as Coggle, SumoPaint and PowToon.  Enjoy!

http://adkurmey.blogspot.ca/

Over the past year, I've been activity searching for links that my students could use to help them in understanding concepts in chemistry.

Below I am sharing a few Symbaloo Webmixes of Chemistry links that I have found helpful for my classes.

Feel free to review and comment on their helpfulness in understanding chemistry lesson topics.

Symbaloo Webmix 1

Symbaloo Webmix 2

Symbaloo Webmix 3

In my research, I came Across the Youtube Channel of Tyler DeWitt.  You can find a link to his Tube Channel on the Symbaloo shared earlier or link to it here.

He's a fellow Chemistry teacher that has gone above and beyond in creating simple, easy to understand short videos to explain topics that some students find challenging in senior level chemistry classes.  In 2013 he was invited to present a TED Talk on his unique approach to reaching his students and the source of his motivation.  An excellent talk that resonates with all invested teachers.  :)

Tyler DeWitt: Hey science teachers -- make it fun

This TED Talk speaks to me as an immigrant.

For every complaint we level at overseas labour, we fail to consider the desperate circumstances of our fellow human beings living there, and the desperation of their families to push them towards a better life. Technology has emerged as the driving force of economic mobility in many countries but it also brings with it challenging social change that can place immense pressure on individuals and traditions.

The interesting story of our educational system | Adhitya Iyer | 

I put together this Symbaloo Webmix for Additional ICT Resources of links I found especially useful.

Please review and let me know what you think.

So things got interesting these past few weeks.... I've decided that my next steps will be to flip the classroom.

I have, over the years, encountered serious backlog over the lack of time to properly review and take up problem-solving questions in class.  This has mainly been hampered by the insane amount of curriculum that is expected to be covered at the gr. 12 chemistry level.  

How is this related to Hangouts...?

As part of my Assignment in my ICT class, I had to present Google Hangouts on Air. I've noticed some of my more savvy colleagues have begun to create instructional videos in place of the traditional notes and verbal instructions.  

I thought, why not me?  

And so I made my first instructional Video on Google Hangouts... and 

I WAS HOOKED!

I see so much potential with this technology.  Even if I start with just creating short videos outlining the curriculum, I could use classroom time to do actual problems in class and help kids where they need it most; in the practice and problem-solving portion!

Enjoy my Hangouts video :)  Next Project:  Flipping the SCH4U classroom!

I recently came across a short TED talk by a 12-year old boy who has created and developed Apps.  An inspiration to both students who want to develop Apps and teachers who want to support them.

A 12-year-old app developer | Thomas Suarez

As classrooms get bigger, funding gets tighter, resources dwindle, and students come in with a broader spectrum of struggles and strengths, blended learning through Intelligent Adaptive Learning (IAL) technology is a method of supporting teachers in the classrooms in this resource-tight and time-restricted environment.

Blending technology and classroom learning: Jessie Woolley-Wilson at TEDxRainier

As an educator, I have a keen awareness that not all students exhibit positive classroom behaviour. Sometimes it is that they are simply having a bad day; the could have had a fight with their parents, their friends, their boyfriends... They could just be sore over the fact that they skipped breakfast and the cafeteria ran out of their favourite sandwich this morning.

And many times, their lack of motivation, their distractedness and bad behaviour, can stem from a very real and profound trauma that they have not been able to process or get over.  I realize that I cannot fix the world's problems but, it still angers me that as a society, we are reactive rather than proactive.  We cannot help children if we suspect a bad situation because the laws say that we have to wait for something bad to occur, have evidence, before we can step in.  Maybe this is why this TED Talk hits so close to my heart as an educator and as a parent.

I hope this video can spread the message for change.

How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime | Nadine Burke Harris

One of the Assignments that another group presented to us was how to make Stop Motion Animation Videos.

Have a look at the steps outlined:

 and our final product below :)  

Look what you can do with a tablet, a few paper clips, different coloured paper and some crayons!!!

My colleagues Mary B. and Shirany Y. put together a quick Pintrest Google Slide Presentation to introduce the basics of Pintrest and how it can be used to engage Teachers, Parents & Students in the classroom.

I am still in the beginning stages of this forum and found this info indispensable :)

One of my first forays into technology games was Kahoot! 

This is basically an online quiz game format that includes catchy music and all the elements of a suspense-filled, nail-biting trivia race.  With Shirany Y. we came up with a Google Slides Presentation to outline the basics of Kahoot! and how to begin creating your own Kahoots!....
or just borrow other's Kahoots! when you're short on time.

My kids love it!  

This is great for high school students if you have a class where everyone has their own smart phone and can play independently or if you have tablets where students can play in teams.  

I have come to really like this quiz format and use it in class regularily.

I encourage others to have fun with it too!

Another Great assignment I worked on with Angela K., is this Twitter Google Slides Presentation outlining the basics of Twitter and how to get the most out of your Professional Teaching Introductory Twitter Experience.

Have a look and let me know of any topics we may include in the future!