Differentiation of Content Infographic
This infographic was created to demonstrate the different implementations of technology and multimedia tools in a high school Spanish classroom. This graphic clearly illustrates the various tools that are used by both teacher and students to improve the quality of instruction.
Loading...
Through completing this infographic, I was able to gain a clear and succinct picture of just some of the technologies that I use in my classroom on a daily basis. In creating this graphic, I found that I was thinking of so many multimedia tools that I use that I was having trouble narrowing it down! This helped me to clearly see that I am using a wide variety of tools to introduce my students to new skills and provide them with differentiated ways of demonstrating their learning. I also was introduced to Piktochart for creating infographics, a tool I really enjoyed using and plan to use with my classes!
Action Research PRoject
I completed an action research project on the use of the web-based tool Sutori for timeline creation in Spanish classes. As a language teacher, timelines are a tool frequently used for students to demonstrate their ability to speak about a variety of topics. I was looking for a multimedia tool that would help make a timeline assignment more interactive and streamlined. This would also allow for students who were not confident in their artistic abilities or students who have difficulty with handwriting to create a professional-looking product.
Through completing this action research project, I discovered several benefits to using Sutori in general, and specifically for timeline creation. One of the biggest benefits for me as a teacher and for my students was how efficient the process of using Sutori was. Much like Microsoft Sway, the creation of a Sutori product is very simplified and streamlined. This is beneficial for both teacher and students. Teachers do not have to spend a great deal of class time introducing the tool to students; the creation of products with Sutori is very intuitive. Students do not have to work around distracting elements such as ads and can focus on the creation of their products. Also, because Sutori links with Google Classroom, there is no additional submission process. Student products are kept directly on the site, and the teacher can review them in one place rather than receiving multiple submissions. Timelines on Sutori are extremely customizable as well, allowing for students to express themselves and demonstrating their knowledge in a variety of ways.
Gamestar Mechanic Lesson
For this lesson, a game creation site called Gamestar Mechanic was used to create a content-based computer game for student use. For this particular lesson, the focus for students was on affirmative and negative informal commands. I created a game called "Commands Quest" using Gamestar Mechanic, and the lesson introduced this site to students and allowed them to familiarize themselves with the site by playing this game before going on to create their own games. This is a unique way for students to practice a grammar concept and is extremely customizable for different learners.
Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
Gamestar Mechanic Tutorial
Play Commands Quest!
Global COllaborative Project
For this project, a group of us researched the site GlobalEdGuide, "a searchable database of global projects and resources to help educators foster global competence and build connections with their students" ("Learn", n.d.). This site encourages student creativity, empowers students to develop 21st century skills, allows for differentiation, and encourages global competency. The project introduces the site and examines the curricular connections and benefits of using the site in the classroom.
This project allowed me to learn about GlobalEdGuide and its many uses within my classroom. One of the biggest advantages to this site is its potential to allow students to foster global connections; this is one of the main goals of world language education, and having such a site available to us makes this process more accessible. By thoroughly examining the site's potential to encourage creativity, differentiate and more, I discovered the extensive applications this site has. GlobalEdGuide can connect to any curricula, including STEM subjects. Additionally, teachers have the ability to search through projects in order to find one that is the best fit for their particular group of students. The customization potential, adaptability to curricula, and capability to foster global connections make this site a valuable tool for any classroom.
Cordero's Classroom Podcast
Throughout the course of this class, I created two podcasts. The first was to speak about podcasts in general and specifically two of my favorites. The second was centered around the topic of flexible seating in a high school classroom setting. Through this assignment, I was able to familiarize with myself with Audacity for podcasting, as well as podcast hosting on SoundCloud and the use of open-source music. This practice would allow me to run an education-based podcast as an educator outside of the classroom. Additionally, it would allow me to introduce podcasting to my students as a means to develop 21st century skills as well as apply their language learning in a real-world way.
Episode 1: LambCast
Episode 1: LambCast
Episode 2: Cordero's Classroom
The process of creating podcasts using Audacity and SoundCloud was very eye-opening for me. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the process. I had used Audacity before for simple voice recording, but the process of recording and mixing multiple tracks made me realize the potential that this tool could have in the language classroom. Students could use their language skills to create a real-world product and share it on a local and global level. This can help foster global connections for students and demonstrate for them the potential for real-world applications of the knowledge they have gained in their language classes.
Resources
Learn. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2019, from https://www.globaledguide.org/learn