Instructions+for+Assignments+&+Activities


 * Instructions for course assignments and activities are posted on this page.**

**__Assignments for February Class__** **__ Meeting __** 1. **__Conduct your first Methods Trial__** as we discussed in class. You can choose any instructional method, tool, or idea that is new to you - something you learned about in our first class meeting or that you discover in your course resources (technology booklet, web sites, etc.). try your chosen tool or technique out with some learners of your choice. Then, post a short description for us here on our wiki. Go to the page names Methods Trial 1 Summaries and follow the instructions there to post your SHORT summary. Be prepared to discuss further in class when we meet in February.

2. **__Research the preferred learning strategies and instructional methods of your students__**. Give some of your students the __ATLAS__ test that we took in class. You can make copies of the paper version you got in class, or you can have your students use the online version - the web link is here on wiki on the Internet Sites and Links page. After you give your students the ATLAS, ask them to tell you what things teachers do that they like and makes learning easier for them, and what things they dislike and makes learning harder for them. Keep good notes on everything you learn. After your finish your research, look at the distribution of preferred learning strategies of your students and see how them compare to the norms for ATLAS that we talked about in class. How do your students compare to the ATLAS norms? What teaching methods do they like and dislike? Do you see any differences in methods preferences among the different ATLAS groups. Come to class prepared to discuss your findings. We will also compare your findings to a published formal study done by Dr. Ausburn and Dr. Dee Brown.

3. **__Study about using the Internet effectively for instruction__**. (a) Read the section in your instructional technology booklet on techniques and guidelines for using the Internet (b) Read the section in your instructional technology booklet on online course sites and study the web sites for __EBoard__ and __TeacherWeb__. Links to these sites are located on the page here on our wiki named Internet Sites and Links. Study these tools carefully and be prepared to discuss them in class. You can use one of them for one of your methods trials if you wish - not required, but an option. (c) Read the sections in your instructional technology booklet on blogs and wikis and study the web sites for __Blogger__ and __Wikispaces__. (Look on the page Internet Sites and Links). Study these tools carefully and be prepared to discuss them in class. You can use one of them for one of your methods trials if you wish - not required, but an option. (d) Read about online learning assessment with __QuizStar__ in your technology booklet and study the web site for QuizStar (Internet Sites and Links page). Study this tool carefully and be prepared for discussion. You can use it for one of your methods trials if you wish. (e) Check out an exciting way to have students using response "clickers" in your classroom WITHOUT the trouble and expense of buying clickers. Look at the __Poll Everywhere__ Internet site located on the Internet Sites and Links page. This one is COOL.

4. **__Learn how to use PowerPoint effectively.__** (a) Read the section on __PowerPoint__ in your instructional technology booklet and be prepared to discuss in class. (b) We will go over in class more advanced PowerPoint instructional techniques for presenting with PowerPoint - and alternative online software - and for using them to create independent study materials for students. To prepare for this, check out the __Digital Juice__ and __Prezi__ web sites (links are on Internet Sites and Links page)

5. **__Learn about using chalk boards, white boards, smart boards, document cameras, and overhead projectors effectively.__** (a) Read the relevant sections in your instructional technology booklet and be prepared for discussion.

6. **__Learn about rubrics and using them as instructional/assessment tools.__**. (a) Do some research and learn what an instructional rubric is, if you don't already know. (b) Learn about the __Rubistar__ tool online - the link is on the Internet Sites and Links page. Study this tool for discussion in class. (c) __Create a rubric__ for one of your own assignments for your students and bring it to class for discussion. Use Rubistar to do this if you wish. You can use your rubric for one of your methods trials if you wish.

7. **__Other instructional methods will be introduced in class - just come prepared to learn some new things.__**

**__ Assignments for March Class Meeting __** 1. __Conduct your second Methods Trial.__ Your choice what method or tool you use, but do try to do something the is NEW for you. Post your trial description on wiki on the paged named Methods Trial 2 Summaries just as you did for your first trial. Read your classmates' postings and be prepared for discussion at our next class meeting. You posting is due no later than the Monday before next class.

2. __Do your journal article review.__ You can select any article that interests you, as long as it related to instructional methods, techniques, or tools. You can find your article online of in the library. Post your article review on our class wiki on the Journal Review page. Be SURE your name is on your posting. Instructions for what to include in your review are on the wiki page. Read your classmates' reviews and be prepared for discussion in class. Your review is due no later than the Monday before next class.

3. __Try out new PowerPoint skills.__ Create at least three (3) slides for a presentation that demonstrate good PowerPoint design. Be ready to show your slides to the class and explain WHY they are well designed. Create at least one (1) slide that is poorly designed. Be prepared to show your slide to the class and explain why is is bad. Create at least three (3) slides with notes using the Notes feature in PPT that students could use for independent study. Be prepared to show these to the class. Be ready to contribute to all these discussions with your classmates.

4. __Learn about using Internet tools for guided learning: WebQuests, TrackStar, Puzzles, Virtual Field Trips, and Virtual Environments:__ Read about these tools/techniques in your technology booklet. Study them online - look on the Internet Links page on the wiki for direct access. Study these tools carefully and be ready to discuss their potential for teaching/learning. Find some specific examples of these tools that you could use in your own teaching. Be prepared to show your selected tools to your classmates and discuss how you might use them. //If you wish,// you can use one of these tools for one of your Methods Trials.

5. __Learn about using display posters effectively:__ Study the relevant section in your technology booklet and be prepared for discussion. We will also discuss some additional guidelines for visual design. BRING TO CLASS a poster that you feel represents good design - we will discuss your posters in class.

6. __Learn about using video effectively:__ Study the relevant sections in your technology booklet and be prepared for discussion.

7. __Do some research on using Peer Coaching as an instructional tool:__ What is peer coaching? How can it be used effectively" Be prepared for discussion.

8. __Do some research on instructional LAPS:__ See if you can discover what a LAP is and how they are used. If you have any LAPS at your school, try to bring one for sharing with the class. We will discuss LAPS and the LAPS instructional strategy and examine several examples of LAPS in class.

9. Come well prepared for all presentations and discussions and ready to learn some new things.


 * __ Assignments for April Class Meeting __**

1. Bring any materials from March meeting that we don't get finished reviewing in class. If need be, we will finish up this time.

2. Conduct your third Methods Trial. Again, do something that is new for you. Post your usual summary on the wiki page named Methods Trials 3 Summaries by the Monday before class. Read you classmates' posting before class for discussion. ALSO REVIEW everyone's #2 methods postings and the journal article reviews. We will discuss all these in class.

3. Review what you have learned about WebQuests in class. Plan a WebQuest that would be suitable for use in your own teaching. You do NOT need to actually create the WebQuest online - just bring you plan to class for discussion. Make your WebQuest plan as complete as possible.

4. Do some thinking about DIVERSITY in your classroom. In what ways are your students diverse? What instructional issues have you experienced that are related to the diversity of your students? What do you need to know more about to deal more effectively with diversity in your classes? What instructional techniques might help with diversity issues?

5. Come prepared to learn about some new instructional techniques in class.

6. Bring your Project Poster ready to display it and discuss with your classmates. Your poster should follow the guidelines you have learned about in class for good instructional posters. It should present an instructional problem or issue, a technique or tool for addressing the problem, and findings of your research about the technique or tool. Make your poster attractive, graphic in nature, and informative.