ASSURE LESSON PLAN REFLECTION 3.7.4

The ASSURE lesson plan is one of the teaching tools that modern teachers can use to integrate technology in teaching . It has six stages and it involves to: analyze students, set objectives, select the instructional materials, utilize the media and materials, require learner participation, revise and evaluate.

The most crucial elements to be dealt with here are the; selection of materials, media and methods that are to be used while teaching. In other words the methodology in teaching is much more vital in here.

It is common for most teachers to prepare for what to teach and the rightful technology to be used, but then fail to apply the technology. Such scenario usually happens either due to inadequate preparation or trying to adapt to a technology that the teacher is not competent of.

However, if a teacher has followed the A,B,C,Ds of Audience, Behavior to be demonstrated, Conditions under which the learned behavior will be observed, the degree to which the learned skills are to be grasped, I am 100% convinced that the teacher can not stammer in the middle of the lesson.

If the analysis of learners is well done by the teacher, it is very certain that he/ she can easily develop the most fit objectives because, the action verbs can then touch the exact areas that suit the learners' capability. On top of that, the rightful technology can easily be chosen since already the teacher knows the learners' level of technology and application.

Learners need to be involved in order to make them grasp the concept by doing or practicing it themselves.







It is difficult to achieve results where one has not monitored or evaluated. Therefore, the evaluation part is necessary and if the learners have not mastered the concept, then revision of the tools or methodology is done.

Reflection 3.6.4: Value For Analyzing Students Before Proceeding With The Lesson Design Process

After I have had some exposure to the ASSURE lesson-plan template, I have found out that the value of analyzing students before proceeding with a lesson-design process, especially when integrating technology in my lesson requires: 

-My lesson objectives must cater for the expectations for my students.

- My lesson objectives should cater for the necessary requirements for the learning environment either in class or outside class.

- My lesson objectives should actually focus on assessing learning.

- The lesson objectives should determine which appropriate media or materials are required in order to be effective.

- I have found out that I need the best possible use of the media and other technology resources while preparing for my teaching.

-Learners have different learning capacities, cultural backgrounds, technological competencies and bodily physical abilities. Therefore a thorough look at all those variables can help the teacher to plan well the lesson he/she is intending to design.

3.4.4 Reflection

        Computer software is used in some classrooms and it is a good decision to use after being determined by the teacher. Certain students learn very fast compared to the others. This needs to be understood when going to class with students who may learn slower. When using software, a teacher should be prepared to go slow over everything the learner needs to know. Most challenging software includes:
·         Cartopedia: The Ultimate World Reference Atlas·         Celestia·         Google Earth ·         Gravit - a free (GPL) Newtonian gravity simulator
·         KGeography

·         Swamp Gas Visits the United States of America - a game that teaches geography to childrenKid Pix is a drawing software used in elementary classroom. It is more engaging and can even be used at home . A learner in a class using computer software gets basic computer skills needed to use a computer. Educational software is a fun way of learning and can be a good thing to use as a learning tool. You can also visit http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/software/resources/kidpix.html

3.3.4 Potential Of Web Resources

Hello reader,

I managed to get many web resources, some of which are similar to those of my colleagues.

My web resource evaluation was based upon the following criteria below:

a) Currency of Information:

All the sites below give clear up to date information because every time they are visited, new information is found contrary what was found before. And since the sites deal with physical geography which takes a longer period without changing, the resource topics are not likely to become out-dated.

b) Authority / Credibility of Information:

All authors of these sites have proven credibility since some of them are affiliated to book publication companies like http://www.worldatlas.comAfrica and http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/hazards/landslide/basics/causes

All the site below have got contact information particularly email addresses for author/producer and are hosted by a reputable organizations.

c) Accuracy and Scope of Information:

Geography is factual and the information given by these sites is factual or opinion based. Therefore it can be assessed for accuracy and originality.

e) Site Design:

These sites are easy to find and explore, that’s why I got the cutesy to explore them as resource sites in my activity of teaching. They have good quality images, explanations are accompanied and they have search facilities.

http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Geoscience/SurficialGeology/Landslides/Pages/Howdolandslidesaffectus.asp

 http://www.ga.gov.au/scientifictopics/hazards/landslide/basics/causes

http://www.geog.hau.edu/courses/rh83/pl431/workbook/landforms.pdf

http://www.visituganda.com/see-and-do/attraction/attraction...

http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/Uganda/..

http://www.elateafrica.org/elate/geography/earthmovements/fault..

END

Reflection of 3.2.4 Microsoft Office

Hello reader,
In this blog I reflected on the importance of Microsoft office packages particularly Microsoft Excel, Power point and Microsoft Word.

Microsoft excel helps teachers to process students' examination results, manipulate it to get averages and ranks, then identify the low grade students who need additional instructions. For additional information one can explore or visit http://www.baycongroup.com/excel.htm

For the case of Microsoft word, almost every entry for computer beginners respects and uses word processing. Microsoft word helps in the preparation of students notes for subject content enrichment, Information processing and storage in the Internet etc.

Microsoft power point on the other hand helps to prepare presentations to students or any audience. It helps to save time because instead of writing using chalk or a white board marker, the teacher comes when already prepared and demonstrate what he/she has for the audience. He can insert simple motion captions, animations and sounds. Where as it save time when presenting to the learners by the teacher, it gives him adequate time to give vivid explanations and the animations and sounds help to do away with boredom.

Thank you for reading.

A Reflect of 3.1.4, technology integration models (SAMR and TPACK)

A Reflect of technology integration models (SAMR and TPACK)

I have learned that technology integration has several steps and measures. And that each step works at a given level of teaching/learning.

I have been introduced to two models-SAMR and TPACK models. 

I have understood more of the SAMR model than the TPACK model. The SAMR model has four levels i.e Substitution, Augementation, Modification and Redifinition.

In my operations at school, I have discovered that I have been using Substitution almost only; in case I used technology integration. My focus is going to be on trying the rest of the three steps of the model.

Even though the TPACK model integrates pedagogy, Knowledge content and technology, where a teacher fails out-whether has limited knowledge content or technology deficiency or otherwise, his weakness can easily be observed by anybody inclusive his students, which can be quite embarrassing on his side.

Thanks to CCTI

Experiences of on-line Learning 2.8.4

My experience with on line learning has been interesting; I have learned the Constructivism approach to teaching. In this way I have discovered that because the various learning experiences I got from the University when training to become a teacher, I use a blend of methods while teaching to the extent that I do not stick to one method. The on-line learning has helped me to discover my self where I got lost within the profession. I almost used constructivism unknowingly.

I leaned how to make an Inforgraphic which I had never thought of making in my teaching career.Check the link  https://magic.piktochart.com/output/5019087-semayobe-and-the-socratic-way-

I have learned how to go off the boring lecture method of teaching when I conducted the constructivism class in a planned and organized way.

 Most interesting of all were the High Order Thinking questions.

Pitfalls 

Balancing up work time with study time has been so difficult to me.

In the these last days of the module, the Internet connection has been too loose and disturbing.

I had extended sleep hours in order to accomplish the assignments.

Feeling disgusted when my colleagues were ahead of me via reading and contributing to the discussion wall.