Digital Curriculum Mapping
Since the topic is concerning digital curriculum mapping, it is only fitting that I was introduced to this concept through an online colleague I stumbled upon in LinkedIn circles. Rochelle Tkach is expertly blogging some very interesting stuff regarding how to align curriculum and lesson ideas using tech integration. As a new occasional teacher, I was intrigued by her headline because I have been trying to think of ways to use tech (Google docs, mind maps, cloud computing) to organize lesson ideas through hyperlinks that align with Ontario curriculum expectations.
How nice would it be as a supply teacher to stroll into a grade three classroom, look at the expectations the teacher jotted down for you and open your premade curriculum map and Presto! you have a fun engaging lesson that didn't take you hours to align--the students are happy, the class runs smoothly and the teacher is impressed that you were able to finish the black line master she has left for you as well as incorporate a new lesson. Sadly, to organise the entire curriculum in a digital format seems like a lot of work for one person.
However, Rochelle raises some excellent points in support of digital curriculum mapping and even provides some professional must-haves to get the job done.
What's more is with cloud computing and professional networking who says it needs to be done by one lone teacher.
https://blog.learningbird.com/dust-off-those-curriculum-documents-curriculum-mapping-in-the-21st-century/
While you are there, I highly recommend you subscribe to Learning Bird eduBlog and look out for Rochelle Tkach!
The Ancient Calculator
Today, I was tutored in the ancient art of Abacus math （算盤). My interest to study this long lost finger ballet came from my teacher's college class in math manipulatives. While teaching kindergarten, I also noticed a rekenrek being used in the classroom. Math manipulatives seem to be a focus in Ontario education as they allow students to collaborate and communicate their ideas creatively as opposed to the limitations of using paper and pencil calculations. When I returned to Taiwan, I made it a priority to learn how to use this complicated looking piece of machinery. :)
The Chinese abacus is still widely used in elementary schools in Taiwan and Japan (although it is not mandatory). There are even competitions here in Taiwan. The Chinese abacus uses a base 5 counting system with each row representing a different place value. Many believe that when it is studied and eventually mastered by students it can aid in the speed and accuracy of mental math (心算）.
The abacus teacher impressed me with his ability to visualize the abacus in his mind and calculate the addition of long strings of numbers before I could finish typing them into the calculator app on my phone. I'm a long way from gaining this math prowess though, as I'm still learning how to use it to count, add and recognize numbers. Surely, this math device will unlock a whole world of possibilities in my journey for fast addition skills.
謝謝老師教我好辛苦！
Watch an intro to abacus video here.
The Chinese abacus is still widely used in elementary schools in Taiwan and Japan (although it is not mandatory). There are even competitions here in Taiwan. The Chinese abacus uses a base 5 counting system with each row representing a different place value. Many believe that when it is studied and eventually mastered by students it can aid in the speed and accuracy of mental math (心算）.
The abacus teacher impressed me with his ability to visualize the abacus in his mind and calculate the addition of long strings of numbers before I could finish typing them into the calculator app on my phone. I'm a long way from gaining this math prowess though, as I'm still learning how to use it to count, add and recognize numbers. Surely, this math device will unlock a whole world of possibilities in my journey for fast addition skills.
謝謝老師教我好辛苦！
Watch an intro to abacus video here.
How can we use Voicethreads in the classroom?
Voicethread is a video discussion software that allows people to post a video at their convenience. It is a great educational tool because it allows students to practice their speaking and listening skills through creating threads of discussion around a topic using web cams. Imagine a forum such as reddit, except instead of using text to discuss topics students can use video or voice recordings. Students can further elaborate on their content by adding slides or pictures as visual teaching aids.
One way I could use Voicethread is as a reflection tool to further conversation from class. For example you could be teaching grade 5 students a lesson about tornadoes. You could ask them a question about how they would prepare for an approaching tornado in their community. The students could answer the question, reply to other classmates Voicethreads and pose their own questions about tornados for the class.
Voicethread is an excellent tool because it correlates with the theory of "learning retention rates" in that students who discuss and teach others are able to retain more information compared to traditional lectures.
One way I could use Voicethread is as a reflection tool to further conversation from class. For example you could be teaching grade 5 students a lesson about tornadoes. You could ask them a question about how they would prepare for an approaching tornado in their community. The students could answer the question, reply to other classmates Voicethreads and pose their own questions about tornados for the class.
Voicethread is an excellent tool because it correlates with the theory of "learning retention rates" in that students who discuss and teach others are able to retain more information compared to traditional lectures.
My TPACK JOURNEY
Here is my example of a digital ebook created using Google Slides on Google Drive.
It outlines the predominant teaching strategy (TPACK) discussed in our tech class and shows how this digital artifact is an example of us activating our TPACK knowledge.
My Philosophy of Tech-Enhanced Teaching and Learning
Being a teacher who is able to use technology is important because it models a current approach to learning for students. Teachers who are master tech are able to modify and technology to enhance content and strategies for learning. Because technology is ever-changing, a teacher who constantly experiments and uses new technology in the classroom promotes a vibrant growth mindset as opposed to a static and outdated one.
TPCK Philosophy
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