What I Learned

Now that the semester is coming to a close I learned how to use the UbD method of development. I feel developing the New Teacher Training with a group of other educators was beneficial to go through the process of UbD and learning each phase of the design. As we worked through each stage, we were able to share our concerns, thoughts, and ultimately agreed upon method of design. This discussion was beneficial to learning the process.

Now that I have a firmer foundation of designing lessons and starting with the end, I design my own lessons differently. I always ask myself – so what? Why am I teaching them what I have planned? I used the UbD in designing a research paper unit. I’m in the middle of using it now and although it is different than I have taught in the past, I feel the students are more engaged and are learning more through each phase. They are responsible for more of their education; it is more student-centered rather than the teacher guiding them into each stage of the writing process.

Where do I go from here? Hopefully, in transitioning into the next phase of my career, I will be able to use the information I learned in this class in helping educators create lessons that follow UbD. Although I’m by no means an expert, this beginning knowledge of UbD will springboard learning more and more about it and hopefully, I will be able to share it with other professionals.

CCCS Project

It was quite interesting to analyze another unfamiliar CCCS. We needed to evaluate and summarize the Technology Core Curriculum Content Standards. I teach English and I use a lot of technology, but I never really thought that it covers the CCCS for technology. This assignment helped me realize that what I do really does cover more than one CCCS.

I found the other groups presentations interesting. The handouts will be helpful when transitioning to another position. We go to school with many talented educators. It is interesting to listen and learn from other groups presentations. I was able to use a source from one of the groups immediately. It came in useful right away.

When reflecting on our own CCCS, it is interesting to really look at it as it relates to others. I’m still looking for the overall framework and how the state feels everything should work together. I’ll continue my search. I look forward to listening and learning to all the other groups presentations.

Technology Handout

Here is a link to the technology handout.

I hope this works, if not I'll try another way.

For those interested, I pasted my word document in to google docs and then pasted the link below. If this works that will be great.

Mary, Robyn and Maria

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dg8ndwng_3gn48p7fg&hl=en

How is Curriculum Developed

It’s the time of the year where summer curriculum is posted for teachers to work on curriculum. I previously worked on curriculum during the summer for two years. One project was a brand new section of an existing course and the other was to modify the same existing course. These two projects were assigned to two other teachers and me. Here I was developing curriculum and never really understood what curriculum was. We designed curriculum based on three teachers opinions.

In my first masters course here at MSU, I never had to take a curriculum course. Now that I’m learning and earning a certification to become a principal or supervisor, I’m learning all about curriculum development. I wonder if current undergraduate students learn how curriculum is developed. I know I didn’t need to. I’ve been teaching special education in multiple content areas and I never questioned how curriculum was developed. I instructed from the curriculum guide and made modifications as needed for the students’ learning disability. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, why does it take so long for educators to be trained in curriculum development. I’m at the end of my training and I’m now challenging what I teach and why I teach what I teach.

We’ve had some heated discussions on whether the textbook is the curriculum; many districts use a textbook for their curriculum. I now know that the textbook can be a tool to develop curriculum but it shouldn’t drive the curriculum. Is it easier to use a textbook when developing curriculum, probably, but is it right for the students? I’m not so sure.

I can’t predict the future, but I realize that change will be difficult if I’m lucky enough to lead a school in the next few years. Shouldn’t we wonder and challenge what we teach and understand why we are teaching? Teachers should be the facilitators of learning for the students. If we can get the students to understand why they are learning, then our jobs will be a lot easier.

Feedback on UbD Plans

Tonight’s class was interesting and productive. Today we finalized our CCCS presentation and had the opportunity to review and provide feedback other groups New Teacher Training plans. I felt that each group had a different format; however, the content was all there. We really do have a better understanding of UbD based on this class. I did find that most of the groups had similar block plans. I would say that was the most consistent presentation of all the groups. I did feel that all of us had very similar lessons designed. Some groups even attempted to teach new teachers UbD….I feel that is quite ambitious. We’re taking all semester to apply the process, good luck to those new teachers to learn it within an hour training session.

I’m one of those learners that like to have the criteria of assessment prior to completing a project. The rubric given out will help me refine my piece. I’m glad this was just a draft. I sometimes provide my students with the assessment criteria in the middle of a writing process piece, but now I think I’m changing my philosophy to always distribute the criteria prior to the assignment being started.

The whole process of creating new teacher professional development plans is challenging but worthwhile. This type of project really allowed all of us to apply UbD.