Standard+4

= = =Standard 4= ==The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies, including the use of technology, to encourage children’s development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.==
 * Standard 1 *Standard 2 *Standard 3 *Standard 4 *Standard 5 *Standard 6 *Standard 7 *Standard 8 *Standard 9 *Standard 10

=Evidence=

=Rationale= During EDT674 we were required to create a project based learning experience. This unit actually fit into our curriculum so well that I eventually adapted it to incorporate the iPads and individual learning teams. This unit of instruction was designed to ask a single probing question that would hook students’ interest & would also demand educational investment on their part. They’d be responsible for numerous expectations passed down to their group, but they’d have the freedom to research and come to a consensus in any form they’d prefer. This took students by surprise at first, but ended up being a tremendous eye-opening experience. For the first time students got a feel for what will be expected of them in the professional world. A problem will be presented or may present itself, and it is up to us as professionals to work together to come up with the most beneficial solution. The entire unit is based upon the idea that gas mileage can be improved through a better understanding of the forces that act upon a vehicle, and a practical application must be possible (they must create a passenger vehicle from the K’Nex). It can’t be a vehicle that does not allow for at least 4 other passengers aside from the driver. I have not been able to teach this utilizing the iPads and the amazing applications that I found, but we have utilized the computer lab. The kids loved it and retained more information by the end of the unit than I could have ever hoped to teach them via lecture or another teacher-led modality.

=KSDs=


 * 4.K.1 The teacher understands the cognitive processes associated with various kinds of learning (e.g. critical and creative thinking, problem structuring, invention, memorization and recall) and how these processes can be stimulated. **

I prove my understanding of the various kinds of learning that must take place for genuine learning to take place by building this entire unit off of that premise. In order to be successful in the PBL unit students must think critically, creatively, problem-oriented, inventive, and will actually memorize and be able to recall crucial concept ideas (forces, aerodynamics, gravity, etc.) through the use of such language throughout the unit. Constant research and modifications will further set that information which they are to learn into their long-term memory, and it will actually become how they refer to such concepts. This is a direct application to real-life.


 * 4.S.2 The teacher uses multiple teaching and learning strategies to engage students in active learning opportunities that promote the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance capabilities and that help students assume responsibility for identifying and using learning resources. **

There are numerous teaching and learning strategies at play within this unit. Students will be engaged through active learning opportunities because this unit is student-led. Yes, there is a deadline, but how students get from point A to that point b is entirely up to them. There are expectations and some structures (cost of parts, $ to spend, invoice form, etc.) but there is a ton of room left for students to learn critical thinking skills and solve problems. At the end they’ll be expected to give a presentation (with video footage or a live showing of their vehicle’s capabilities). At the end of this unit students will have also honed how they utilize learning resources for efficient and deep understanding.


 * 4.D.1 The teacher values the development of students’ critical thinking, independent problem solving, and **
 * performance capabilities. **

I show this value by creating a unit that fosters all of these skills within it. Also, I continue to push for further differentiation by establishing a grant for iPads that allow students even more tools to utilize in the form of various applications.