Learning for Life

 Applying the Impact Coaching Cycle to Technology-Based Instructional Strategies          Technology is an integral part of the modern classroom. Technology is now integrated into almost every facet of modern life . Teachers need to stay abreast of constantly evolving resources and technological tools that enhance today's classroom experience. Students will enter a future workforce that will require a certain level of technological proficiency. Therefore, students need to learn these skills early and often. "Digital exposure and application of technology, which start from primary and secondary levels, are hoped to increase the marketability of competitive students" (Saman & Musa, 2023, p. 2292).            For many experienced teachers, this can be a daunting task. The Impact Coaching Cycle can be especially valuable for helping guide teachers in the best practice and integration of technology-based instructional strat...

Technology Coaching Methods to Improve Instruction          In my former role as a classroom teacher, I had a distorted view of the role of instructional coaches. Often, I felt like coaches reduced students to data points. However, as I have transitioned into the role of a gifted specialist, I have worked closely with reading, math, and technology coaches to develop curriculum for extension groups for high ability learners and have used those same data points to identify students needing to be referred for gifted screening. I have also personally seen coaches and teachers form mutually beneficial relationships that have served to positively impact the performance of the students at my school.      "Effective instructional coaches see teachers as professionals, which means they see teachers as the ultimate decision makers about what and how they learn" (Knight, 2018, p.4). I recently observed the reading coach at my school lead a half day work shop...

 What Is Good Instructional Design?      "An instructional design is the practical application of this knowledge to create a situation where learning is most likely to effectively occur" (Brtown & Green, 2024, p. 8). In a nutshell, instructional design is the intentionality with which one plans to deliver information to learners, whether in a professional setting or in the classroom. There are several approaches to good instructional design such as ADDIE (analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate), the Successive Approximation Model (SAM), Merrill's Pebble-In-The-Pond Model, and the Systems Approach Model for Designing Instruction. While none are exactly the same, they all follow a version of the same method. "The most popular approach to designing Instruction is to follow some variation of what is essentially a three-step process. 1. Analyze the situation to determine what instruction is necessary and what steps need to be taken to deliver that instructi...

 Understanding and Serving Gifted Students PD The Google Slides presentation that we shared during the faculty meeting is linked below. The web resources from the presentation are linked in the slideshow.  Understanding and Serving Gifted Students Presentation Check out the Handout from the presentation below

 Artificial Intelligence for Teachers: Using AI in the Classroom       Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. Today's students will need to have an understanding of its uses in order to be ready for the work place of tomorrow. "Skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, and communication are common to both; however, it is clear that new graduates will also need AI literacy as a core job-readiness skill. They will need to articulate how well they use AI and what human quality enhancements they can provide" (Bowen & Watson, 2024, p.41). To accomplish this goal, it is imperative that teachers embrace new technology instead of shying away from it. This is certainly easier said than done. In this blog post, I plan to highlight some ways that teachers can begin to use AI as a tool. As the old adage goes, knowledge is power. The more we understand something, the less we are afraid of it. " Given that AI is increasingly prevalent in tech circles and is being integrate...

  Integrating Education and Social Media       Like it or not, social media is here to stay. It certainly has many pitfalls, but as with anything, knowledge is key. As educators, we must teach students to use social media appropriately. "But the ugly reality is that we must figure out a way to contend with social media, to be more ethical users of social media, to educate our legislators about its effects and how it works and to explore ways that we can combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation, while also looking toward science and psychology to understand how social media affects us behaviorally and mentally...." (Lawrence, 2022, p.50). Teachers can help students learn to identify misinformation online by showing them ways that they can vet information. Google Fact Check Explorer, FactCheck.org, and Snopes are all good resources.       Students must also hone their digital writing skills by carefully considering their content b...

 Reflection on Instructional Design Strategies       "An instructional designer's job is to create something that enables a person or group of people to learn about a particular topic or develop or improve a set of skills, or to encourage the learner to conduct further study. The 'something' created can take many forms: a lecture, a multimedia presentation, the curriculum for a year's study, a piece of computer software, an in-person demonstration, or a test-preparation booklet" (Brown & Green, 2024, p.33). Using different instructional design strategies in training helps to keep learners' focused and engaged. Multimedia such as videos, gamification, or digital presentations are especially useful. Some of the most engaging trainings that I have personally attended have employed multimedia such a as YouTube videos (TED Talks) and gamification sites (Kahoot). "Multimedia technology helps simplify abstract content, allows for differences from individ...