Unit+2+Discussion+Questions

= =

=__End of the Unit Discussion Question:__=

The disconnect between what effective instruction looked like in the 20th Century and what effective instruction should look like in the 21st Century was not established overnight. From the information presented in this unit and from your personal experience, what do you identify as the most critical reason that many schools are "stuck" in the 20th Century modality? Why do you feel that the world changed but not our schools? What is your rationale for identifying this reason as the most critical?

=There are three discussion points durring this unit. The following are pre-discussion assignments that will prepare you to answer the discussion questions during the unit and the final discussion question.=

1st Discussion Question:

Support material: Prediscussion Activity: Technology Reflection In this activity you will reflect on you and your students' use of technology. > > > Personal Notes for Implementation:
 * 1) Using the Venn Diagram, identify similarities and differences between your use and your students' use of technology.
 * 1) Answer the following questions.
 * 2) Are you a digital immigrant or a digital native?
 * 3) How are you and your students using technology in similar ways? In what ways does your use differ?
 * 4) Why do you think your students' use differs from your use?
 * 5) What opportunities exist for you to use technology in order to better meet student needs?
 * 6) For the purpose of the online discussion, summarize your responses in the space provided.
 * 7) Fill in the "L" and "D" columns of your "Rationale for 21st Century Change K-L-D Chart."
 * 8) Return to the course and advance to the next screen in order to receive further instructions to share your summary online.

2nd Discussion Question:

Support Material: Prediscussion Activity: Student Thinking Patterns In this activity you will reflect on student thought processes. Personal Notes for Implementation:
 * 1) Using the questions provided, reflect on your knowledge about students thinking patterns.
 * 2) What did you learn about "neuroplasticity" from reading the article? How does this term apply to education in the context of this course?
 * 3) What is "malleability" through the lens of neuroscience? What implications does this concept have on education?
 * 4) What is the difference between "neuroplasticity" and "malleability"?
 * 5) Why do many children have short attention spans for school but not for computer games? Describe the disconnect.
 * 6) Is there any information presented in the article that resonates deeply with you when thinking about students in your classroom? Please describe the connection.
 * 7) For the purpose of the online discussion, summarize your responses in the space provided.
 * 8) Return to the course and advance to the next screen in order to receive further instructions to share your summary online.

3rd Discussion Question:

Support Material: Prediscussion Activity: Student Engagement This activity will require you to reflect on student engagement in your classroom. Engaging Instruction Checklist
 * 1) Print and read "Learning Indicators for Engagement."
 * 2) Close the "print" window.
 * 3) Determine if the following learning indicators are clearly identified in your classroom. Place a checkmark in the appropriate box on the following checklist.
 * **Learning Indicators for Engagement** || **My Classroom does not address** || **My Classroom addresses** ||
 * **Students are…** ||  ||   ||
 * Responsible for Learning ||  ||   ||
 * Energized by Learning ||  ||   ||
 * Strategic ||  ||   ||
 * Collaborative ||  ||   ||
 * **Classroom Instruction is…** ||  ||   ||
 * Challenging ||  ||   ||
 * Authentic ||  ||   ||
 * Integrative/interdisciplinary ||  ||   ||
 * **Classroom Assessments are…** ||  ||   ||
 * Performance-Based ||  ||   ||
 * Generative ||  ||   ||
 * Interwoven with Curriculum and Instruction ||  ||   ||
 * Equitable Standards ||  ||   ||
 * **Instructional Strategies are…** ||  ||   ||
 * Interactive ||  ||   ||
 * Generative ||  ||   ||
 * **Learning Context contains…** ||  ||   ||
 * A Knowledge-Building Learning Community ||  ||   ||
 * Collaboration ||  ||   ||
 * Empathy ||  ||   ||
 * **Classroom environment contains…** ||  ||   ||
 * Heterogeneous Groups ||  ||   ||
 * Flexible Groups ||  ||   ||
 * Equitable Groups ||  ||   ||
 * **I am a…** ||  ||   ||
 * Facilitator ||  ||   ||
 * Guide ||  ||   ||
 * Co-Learner and Co-Investigator ||  ||   ||
 * **Students play the role of a/an…** ||  ||   ||
 * Explorer ||  ||   ||
 * Cognitive Apprentice ||  ||   ||
 * Producers of Knowledge ||  ||   ||
 * 1) Using the "Learning Indicators for Engagement" article, develop student interview questions to identify your students' level of engagement. Here are a few examples to get you started.
 * 2) Are you excited to learn in my classroom?
 * 3) Do you find the tasks that I give you challenging?
 * 4) Using the questions you created, interview the six students in your student focus group.
 * 5) Answer the following questions.
 * 6) Do you identify with the views of your students? Please describe.
 * 7) How do you engage students in your classroom?
 * 8) Is there evidence of disengagement in your classroom? If yes, please describe.
 * 9) What could be causing disengagement in your classroom?
 * 10) What specific steps could you take to increase student engagement?
 * 11) For the purpose of the online discussion, summarize your responses in the space provided.
 * 1) How do you engage students in your classroom?
 * 2) Is there evidence of disengagement in your classroom? If yes, please describe.
 * 3) What could be causing disengagement in your classroom?
 * 4) What specific steps could you take to increase student engagement?
 * 5) For the purpose of the online discussion, summarize your responses in the space provided.