Mind Map
Philosophy
TPACK model
I plan to use the TPACK model as its main benefit it to incorporate technology into the classroom. It incorporates the growing demand for technology as in science the use of it is potent and prevalent. It sets students up with an education that will benefit them in the future. The framework allows teachers to review and reflect on their ways of teaching and how they incorporate technology into their classroom. The model can also guide teachers in creating hands on approaches where students have the opportunity to interact with technology. TPACK acknowledges important intersections between pedagogy, content and tech.
Approach to pedagogy
I plan on using creative teaching as creativity is a key element in the development of young students.
Elementary education is the stepping stone for children to discover their enjoyment in the science world. This is why, as educators or future educators it is important to understand the importance behind science and teaching it in many different facetious ways. Differentiated learning is one way to allow students to view material from multiple different angles.
Takeaway
EDEE 270 has allowed me to grow and sparked an interest in me that was priorly not there. When I was in elementary school, science was based on theoretical learning. There was a lack with hands on learning which I believe should be the heart of learning as it is captivating for students. Although there is material that must be learnt to gain a certain degree of knowledge, there are different ways in how to teach it. In elementary school children should be exposed to a teaching approach that is diversified and that attempts to captures everyone’s attention while taking into account different needs and levels of academic standing. The course readings allowed for exploration of important topics that are a must read in the field of education in the regard of science.
Resources
Attached are names of article resources that would be beneficial reads to careers in the field of education:
“Talk Moves” by Page Keeley
- The article exposes us to a formative assessment strategy that engages in probe discussions.
“Lightbulb” Moments for all learners by Dena Harshbarger
- The article includes the “lightbulb” example which demonstrates how students require different types of instruction and excel in different areas of instruction. Let’s make diverse learning known!
“A Scientific Age” by Cindy Hoisington
- Showing them how to think and not what to think. Moreover, getting messy in projects that students will both have fun and learn.
“Robots and Reading” by Omah Williams-Duncan and Sara Raven
- The article is focused on a lesson plan on how to incorporate the use of electricity and circuits in elementary school classroom through the subject of science.
“Models and Modeling: An Introduction” by Ambitious Science Teaching
- Modeling is used to demonstrate ideas about the natural world and make modifications over time. Its importance in the classroom; science textbooks include loads of models and students should understand what they are and their importance. Go beyond the word. What is modelling, how does it work, how does it correlate with science?
APA citations:
Ambitious science teaching. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2023, from http://ambitiousscienceteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Models-and-Modeling-An-Introduction1.pdf
Harshbarger, D. (2019). "lightbulb" moments for all learners. Science and Children, 057(02). https://doi.org/10.2505/4/sc19_057_02_49
Hoisington, C. (2020, October 31). A scientific age. Educational Leadership. Retrieved April 16, 2023, from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1283089
Keeley, P. (2016). Formative assessment probes: Talk moves. Science and Children, 053(08). https://doi.org/10.2505/4/sc16_053_08_24
Willams-Duncan, O., & Raven, S. (n.d.). Robots and reading. NSTA. Retrieved April 16, 2023, from https://www.nsta.org/science-and-children/science-and-children-february-2020/robots-and-reading
A New Vision for Science Education
My biggest takeaway from my Elementary School Science classes was the idea of teachers looking beyond the curriculums pedagogy. There are so many ways to diversify learning especially in science where experiments and explorations are almost limitless. Ultimately, I feel as if hands on learning is an approach that should be potent in every class as it allows students to apply the knowledge acquired and gather a deeper understanding by manipulating the theory. This is where trial and error takes place, a crucial part in learning.
Classroom learning experiences (hands-on) ideas
Plant model
Model of the life cycle of a plant
The model our group created had a main goal of using lots of colour to hopefully enhance the likelihood of a student interacting with it. The functionality of our model is primarily that it is vibrant and simple. The idea behind is for it to not be to complex. We want students to be able to grasp the idea. Although there is nothing wrong with not understanding or having questions, it is important for the model to be concise and target a maximum level of conception.
The model could be a basis for a potential lesson activity and would be a great guide for children to use!
Giving students the option to create their own model is a great example of hands on learning. Hands on learning allows for students to add their own special touch to subject matter, often leading to maximal comprehension as they are learning to create the theory in their own individual way.
Robotics
The Bee-Bots are a great way to bring in a hands on learning activity for children that get them learning computing and programming early on in their education. The bots are simple and allow for students to work with technology all while learning how to control these devices, creating patterns (programming) and working with directional language. The TPACK model seeks to teach students subject matter, teach effectively and incorporate technology. The Bee-Bots are a great example of how the TPACK model works.