3.1 Classroom Management & Collaborative Learning
Candidates model and facilitate effective classroom management and collaborative learning strategies to maximize teacher and student use of digital tools and resources. (PSC 3.1/ISTE 3a)
Artifact: Learning Space Evaluation on Flexspace
Reflection:
During ITEC 7555, Designing Learning Spaces, I evaluated a room to determine its effectiveness for managing the class and creating an environment for effective collaborative learning. I evaluated a 7th math room and worked with the teacher to understand how the teacher uses the resources in his room. I posted my finding and the Learning Space Rating System scoring sheet evaluation on Flexspace.
This artifact modeled and facilitated classroom management strategies in two ways. First, by working with the teacher, I discussed other ways to improve classroom management and use the technology immediately while rating the classroom. For example, I recommended having power strips that the teacher could extend to the groups when using laptops. Power strips would increase classroom management, so the students didn't have to move out of the groups and relocate to a possible distracting position. Secondly, by posting on Flexspace, I modeled how to uniquely set up a room for classroom management and collorative learning for any education professional. Classroom management was increased in this room by the lights. I modeled this by showing the lighting in different ways on my posting. The LED lights can change brightness and color. These effects kept the energy in the room on the activity level, and students came in curious about the setting for the day. Increased brightness meant moving around for the 360 Classroom, and low light meant more independent practice. The collaborative learning was modeled and facilitated by showing the teacher's grouping and unique seating and tables. The teacher used larger tables, buckets with padding, and short stools to create exciting collaboration areas that students wanted to be in.
By completing this artifact, I learned how, in a school where a teacher feels they can't be creative with seating and furniture, they actually could be. I was amazed when I looked into the teacher's room and knew I wanted to learn more about this class. The artifact had an immediate impact on my room and my teaching. I purchased floor lamps with bulbs that I could change the color and brightness of. I took my recommendation and bought long power strips. Seeing me have power strips, more teachers who saw my room inquired about them and purchased their power strips to improve their classroom management. The total impact can be measured by looking into classrooms and seeing how teachers adapt their unique styles to their classes. Teachers increase what they do in the room with furnishing and décor, and students respond. Better relationships are being established, and the number of infractions and write-ups are decreasing.
After I completed this artifact, I showed it to my Academic Facilitator, Instructional Lead Specialist, and Principal. The reactions were, "We don't have control of many of these things." I explained that I used it to look at how I was using the things I had in my room. For example, the window. Do I always close the blinds, or do I turn the lights off on a bright day, use my lamps, and let the natural light in? I tried to show how these things could impact classroom management and could be used to help a new teacher who tends to struggle from a lack of experience with classroom management. Unfortunately, I did not do a good job relaying the ability and felt it fell on deaf ears. When I use it again, I will try to use my position as a department chair to show to my team. I'll show only the items the teachers can control immediately and introduce the other parts to the teachers interested in more areas. I think this will create more optimism and buy into trying it.
During ITEC 7555, Designing Learning Spaces, I evaluated a room to determine its effectiveness for managing the class and creating an environment for effective collaborative learning. I evaluated a 7th math room and worked with the teacher to understand how the teacher uses the resources in his room. I posted my finding and the Learning Space Rating System scoring sheet evaluation on Flexspace.
This artifact modeled and facilitated classroom management strategies in two ways. First, by working with the teacher, I discussed other ways to improve classroom management and use the technology immediately while rating the classroom. For example, I recommended having power strips that the teacher could extend to the groups when using laptops. Power strips would increase classroom management, so the students didn't have to move out of the groups and relocate to a possible distracting position. Secondly, by posting on Flexspace, I modeled how to uniquely set up a room for classroom management and collorative learning for any education professional. Classroom management was increased in this room by the lights. I modeled this by showing the lighting in different ways on my posting. The LED lights can change brightness and color. These effects kept the energy in the room on the activity level, and students came in curious about the setting for the day. Increased brightness meant moving around for the 360 Classroom, and low light meant more independent practice. The collaborative learning was modeled and facilitated by showing the teacher's grouping and unique seating and tables. The teacher used larger tables, buckets with padding, and short stools to create exciting collaboration areas that students wanted to be in.
By completing this artifact, I learned how, in a school where a teacher feels they can't be creative with seating and furniture, they actually could be. I was amazed when I looked into the teacher's room and knew I wanted to learn more about this class. The artifact had an immediate impact on my room and my teaching. I purchased floor lamps with bulbs that I could change the color and brightness of. I took my recommendation and bought long power strips. Seeing me have power strips, more teachers who saw my room inquired about them and purchased their power strips to improve their classroom management. The total impact can be measured by looking into classrooms and seeing how teachers adapt their unique styles to their classes. Teachers increase what they do in the room with furnishing and décor, and students respond. Better relationships are being established, and the number of infractions and write-ups are decreasing.
After I completed this artifact, I showed it to my Academic Facilitator, Instructional Lead Specialist, and Principal. The reactions were, "We don't have control of many of these things." I explained that I used it to look at how I was using the things I had in my room. For example, the window. Do I always close the blinds, or do I turn the lights off on a bright day, use my lamps, and let the natural light in? I tried to show how these things could impact classroom management and could be used to help a new teacher who tends to struggle from a lack of experience with classroom management. Unfortunately, I did not do a good job relaying the ability and felt it fell on deaf ears. When I use it again, I will try to use my position as a department chair to show to my team. I'll show only the items the teachers can control immediately and introduce the other parts to the teachers interested in more areas. I think this will create more optimism and buy into trying it.