Part 1: Introduction
Hi there! It's a pleasure to meet you all! I'm Hannah Banks, and I call Kansas City, Missouri my home. I'm really proud to represent the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas. After attending Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, I graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. It's been an amazing journey so far, as I'm currently in my 7th year of teaching in the same district where I graduated from, which is Kansas City, KS. I find great joy in giving back to the community that has invested so much in me.
Right now, I'm working towards earning my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. My future professional goals involve sharing my knowledge and experience with other educators, particularly those who are just starting out. I have a strong desire to teach these beginner teachers how to create a positive classroom environment, implement effective teaching strategies, and cater to the needs of both high and low learners. Ultimately, I aspire to make a difference by equipping educators with the skills they need to excel in their teaching careers.
Part 2: State Standard & ISTE Standard
ISTE Standards:
1.4 Innovative Designer
1.4a Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.
Lesson: Students will learn and apply a deliberate design process to construct a paper bridge while also utilizing technology. They will begin by exploring different types of bridges and understanding their features. Then, they will define the problem by designing and building a paper bridge that spans a specific gap and supports a designated weight. Students will generate ideas and test theories by utilizing technology tools such as an online bridge simulation platforms. These tools will allow them to create virtual models of their bridge designs, predict their performance, and refine their ideas before building the physical bridge. With the help of technology, students will have the opportunity to evaluate the structural integrity of their designs, gather data, and make informed decisions. By integrating technology into the design process, students will enhance their critical thinking skills and develop a deeper understanding of how to create innovative artifacts while solving authentic problems like building a paper bridge.
Part 3: Insight and Support
According to Kolb (2020), "Hands-on interactivity can occur in conjunction with technology" (p. xiii). This notion perfectly aligns with the lesson idea. By incorporating technology tools such as online bridge simulation platforms, students engage in a hands-on and interactive learning experience. These tools enable students to create virtual models of their bridge designs, predict their performance, and refine their ideas before physically constructing the bridge. This integration of technology allows for an interactive exploration of bridge design principles while providing students with the opportunity to actively engage with the design process.
References:
Kolb, L. (2020). Learning First, Technology Second in Practice. International Society for Technology in Education.
ISTE. (2017). ISTE Standards for Students. Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students
Hello Hannah!
ReplyDeleteIt is great to meet you! That is awesome that you are teaching in the same district that you graduated from. Like you, I also went back to my hometown area to teach. What degree specifically are you getting in Curriculum and Instruction? Is it general, reading, or math? Mine is focused on Educational Technology. I love your statement about making a difference while equipping educators with the skills they need. I am sure all of us educators can relate to that!
Regarding your Kansas state standards, they look very similar to what I would use which is TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). I like your idea of using virtual models for the design of their bridge. This is great for visual learners like me. Do you know of a specific website or application you would use? I’m interested about it for my class since I will be teaching at a STEM academy this coming school year. I think this is a great idea and a way to help engage students making them more hand on learners. I also wrote about Kolb and his framework. The integration of technology will allow them a variety of opportunities to learn through both means of technology and engineering. Great blog post!
Hannah,
ReplyDeleteI used the same engineering design standards, but just from Michigan! We completed an assignment similar to this, but with toothpicks and marshmallows to try and create the sturdiest structure to withstand an earthquake. We then placed our towers on a pan of jello and shook the pan as hard as we could to see how sturdy the structure was. I like your idea of integrating the technology for online simulations to increase engagement and enhance the lesson. Hands-on experiences allow for students to dive deeper into lessons and discover new ideas. Great lesson!
Oops, sorry! I didn't realize I was not logged in. This comment was from me!
DeleteIt's great to get to know you. I would love to learn more about the Kickapoo Tribe. We have been teaching for a similar amount of time and I am also passionate about sharing knowledge and helping others excel. I like how your lesson implemented hands-on building while incorporating technology. I have had students practice STEM activities that require hands-on building, but never included the use of technology to enhance the learning opportunities, thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun lesson!! I love that they are identifying the problem, and coming up with a variety of potential solutions for it. This is a great way to foster creativity and critical thinking in your classroom. The idea of using a hands-on activity in conjunction with technology seems like a daunting task, but you did a fantastic job at merging the two. Great work!
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