ImagineIt Final Report
This year has been eye - opening, rewarding, and gut wrenching to say the least. To think that I began the project not sure about my project to a finished project - I must say I am proud of myself. In reflection of the design process - each stage/assignment of the project assisted in shaping, moving and growing. There was point in the project where I was losing focus and began to really almost just stop. However various interactions with my fellows either through groups, meetings and collaboration assignments really inspired me to keep going. I would then just make minor adjustments and I was able to continue my ImagineIt project.
The feedback that I have received from my students have been generous and honest. Students were eager to participate and enjoyed the break from the normal classroom experience. My learners received an richer experience in the Freshman Algebra class by collaborating with fellow students on creative projects . I felt my students need to be exposed to some ways to express Algebra topics from a real world perspective. Colleagues were impressed and inspired by the work of my project and hopefully will result in some possible collaboration in the new school year.
In this past year of my ImagineIt, I have learned that I am dedicated to my students and providing the best learning environment so that my student will be successful. During this process, I have changed my initial idea of “STEM” classroom. I realize that I do not have to be an content expert in “STEM” to utilize STEM to enhance the my instruction. When embarking on this fellowship the usage level of technology was a bit intimidating; now I have more confidence to explore new technology with ease.
The feedback that I have received from my students have been generous and honest. Students were eager to participate and enjoyed the break from the normal classroom experience. My learners received an richer experience in the Freshman Algebra class by collaborating with fellow students on creative projects . I felt my students need to be exposed to some ways to express Algebra topics from a real world perspective. Colleagues were impressed and inspired by the work of my project and hopefully will result in some possible collaboration in the new school year.
In this past year of my ImagineIt, I have learned that I am dedicated to my students and providing the best learning environment so that my student will be successful. During this process, I have changed my initial idea of “STEM” classroom. I realize that I do not have to be an content expert in “STEM” to utilize STEM to enhance the my instruction. When embarking on this fellowship the usage level of technology was a bit intimidating; now I have more confidence to explore new technology with ease.
Imagine It Phase 6
In reflection, I chose the book “Dreamkeepers” because the book seemed to speak to my experience and current practice. In the book the author highlights teachers who were successful at finding a specific connection between the content and the students cultural and social experience. This book really confirms a quote from a professional colleague “Students will respond academically when they know that you (the teacher) cares about them (student)”. In the book every chapter related to a different strategy relating content to students cultural experience.
As I completed the feedback process from my focus group, I realized that it is imperative to get feedback from other partners and the audience that you will be serving. Input is a powerful tool to gain support and buy – in to help me with the implementation of my ImagineIt project. Second, it gives me another point of view so that I can change and reflect on my project implementation. Lastly, it allows me to be more collaborative with my students. I want student to see the value in participating in my project and have a positive outlook on my Algebra class.
As I look ahead to round 2 of implementation I will actively implement opportunities for students to connect the concepts to real world experiences. I will use my time wisely and commit to one experience bi – weekly to implement my ImagineIt. Students will have access to Chromebooks with will allow students to use technology efficiently by doing internet research, create videos or presentation to assist with different activities.
As I completed the feedback process from my focus group, I realized that it is imperative to get feedback from other partners and the audience that you will be serving. Input is a powerful tool to gain support and buy – in to help me with the implementation of my ImagineIt project. Second, it gives me another point of view so that I can change and reflect on my project implementation. Lastly, it allows me to be more collaborative with my students. I want student to see the value in participating in my project and have a positive outlook on my Algebra class.
As I look ahead to round 2 of implementation I will actively implement opportunities for students to connect the concepts to real world experiences. I will use my time wisely and commit to one experience bi – weekly to implement my ImagineIt. Students will have access to Chromebooks with will allow students to use technology efficiently by doing internet research, create videos or presentation to assist with different activities.
ImagineIt Update
Implementation of my ImagineIt project seems to be moving slow. I am have not had the freedom to implement projects connecting the concepts to the real world. I have been overwhelmed with administrator mandates and school wide initiatives. The instructional pedagogy of conferring with students, PSAT preparation and summative assessment development has taken any extra time to devote to my Imagine IT. As a result I not been able to implement my project. I was very frustrated until the MSU trip. As I began the activity in which we talked to other fellows about our projects – I realized that I am putting too much pressure on myself to be creative and come up with the activates in its entirety. Shifting the creative process to my students so that their imagination is manifested and can be displayed in the different activities. Based on other feedback from other MSU fellows, students will be more willing to be creative if they have more input. Really letting the students frame parts of the of different activities that I would like to see implemented as a part of my Imagine It.