Martin Inspiration

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What inspired this project?

Background and Need

At Sierra Vista K-8, students have 1:1 Chromebooks that they can use within the classroom. All grade levels are using Chromebooks and each student has their own Google email address. There are no rules to what students should be using the Chromebooks for. Vacaville has a technology department that will help teach students how to use Google technology.

Students in this new generation are lacking the ability to pay attention for long periods of time. Students need constant motivation and stimulation in order to learn. One way students are engaged is with the use of technology. The students also struggle with reading books that are part of the curriculum because they are not motivated by them.

The challenges that have arised so far are that teachers are not using the technology that is given to them, or they are not sure how to use it. There are trainings that teachers can go to, but it would be on their own time. Teachers need the time and access to different sites that can be useful. Once in awhile there will be a training during staff meetings where teachers will learn about new resources.

In second grade, reading is the star of the show. Teaching not only how to read, but adding in the component of “do you understand what you are reading” as well. Giving students the opportunity to choose their own books at their level by using the program Accelerated Reader (AR), is helpful in getting students to read at their own level and enjoy books. Then they are able to take an AR quiz on the story to show if they comprehended it. When it comes to the stories within the curriculum, the students are easily distracted or uninterested and will have trouble passing their AR comprehension test. Now the challenge is to get students to interact with the text and use digital tools to help them not only comprehend the text, but enjoy it as well.

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Learners

Evidence

Sociocultural: Second grade students really enjoy using the computer any chance they get. When they are introduced to something new, they jump right in and explore. My students also are really creative. When giving the chance students will color, draw, create their own stories, etc. Anything that they get to use their imagination.

Technical: Using the website Flipgrid.com was an idea because it allows the students to be creative while retelling a story they already heard. The website is easy to use and the students were able to play around with it before using it as a tool in the lesson.

Informational: Students are comfortable with using their Chromebooks, but now Flipgrid.com. To teach them how to use this website I will direct teach them by creating my own Flipgrid. After I teach them the basics of the website, they will be able to create and “play” with the website to get practice. If they need more information they can rerefer to a screencast “how to” video. They will also be able to ask for peer help.

To help me increase motivation in my students I could use the ARCS Model of Motivational Instructional Design to help guide my lesson. ARCS stands for Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction. First, you want to get the attention of your students by creating curiosity. Then, you need to explain the relevance by explaining the objective of the lesson. Next, build confidence in the students by providing examples and clearly stating expectations. Last, the teacher will provide extrinsic and intrinsic reinforcement for students effort, which satisfies the students. This could be feedback or rewards.

The SITE model helps teachers look at the child as a whole. Not only as a student. One of the ways the SITE model helps, is asking yourself “What motivates the child?” In this case, technology seems to motivate the students within the classroom. Also, students will use different tools and systems to help guide them. Such as peer help, videos, and teacher talk.

Research

Design Process

Support and Next Steps

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