As we are getting near the end of our 3rd PBL unit at Helensview, the instructional design of our final unit, unit 4 is taking shape. Being paired up with the Science teacher, we have decided to create a space for students to create their own Weebly sites in much the same manner that we as Cohort 14 are being asked to do. The goal is to have students work through a series of tasks that will lead to the beginning of their personal digital portfolios. Instead of breaking down each day into a lesson, we are creating a task list (Rubric focused) of what needs to be included within each Weebly site. Students can choose to work on any aspect of their digital portfolio on any of the 8 given days that the unit will run or complete parts off-site. As support, we will create a series of YouTube videos, screencasts and hyperdocs that will allow the students to take charge of their own learning. Of course, we will be available each class as supports for more focused questions.
Aesthetic has been a huge driving force behind my instructional design in the past and after reading about the Sociocultural subcontext within the SITE model, it gets me thinking about the motivation of the learner. What are the motivating factors for the learners to create digital portfolios? Tying this into Dervin, how will learners gap bridge if they do not see a use for the skill on the other end? As students at my site move towards graduation, the prospect of jobs and continuing education looms heavy. Students are motivated to be done with their high school journey (most anyway) and being able to include this digital portfolio as a graduation requirement would definitely provide the motivation needed to complete it. But that is not enough. I want the students to see this as a useful tool for their post high school choices. In this regard, I must design the experience to make it meaningful for the students and not just another checklist on their ride towards a diploma. Integrating personal voice, choice and showcases allows the students to make it theirs and allow the viewer to get a glimpse into who they are as a person, as student and a community member. The selection of tasks within the Weebly will really be the key to a meaningful output and as my co-teacher and I work to design the unit, this needs to be at the front of our mind. As my action research gets flushed out, I want to thank Dervin, Sir Ken Robinson, Baggio, Clark, Pebble-In-The-Pond and the SITE model for pushing me to think beyond learning objectives and state standards and leading me into the realm of end-user, repeatability, usefulness and accessibility. These readings have really helped shape a pile of random wants and thoughts into a somewhat cohesive ball of what I want for my classroom and end product.
2 Comments
Diana
3/24/2018 04:34:52 pm
Joseph,
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Alicia Martin
3/24/2018 07:50:13 pm
I think that is a really neat idea to use the Weebly site within your classroom. It is awesome that you have the ability to use a lot of what we are learning in our classes within yours. I agree that the SITE model had me look more at my students motivation (which 2nd grade is probably way different than adults motivation). But it really makes me think how can I do things differently. I enjoyed your blog!
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AuthorHello, I'm Joe. Welcome to writings about my thought process throughout the journey of Touro's Innovative Learning Graduate Program. Archives
July 2018
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