Candidates model and facilitate the effective use of digital tools and resources to support and enhance higher order thinking skills (e.g., analyze, evaluate, and create); processes (e.g., problem-solving, decision-making); and mental habits of mind (e.g., critical thinking, creative thinking, metacognition, self-regulation, and reflection). (PSC 2.4/ISTE 2d)
Reflection I created the Ecosystem webquest to provide students with challenging and engaging opportunities to investigate real-world connected scenarios to the content of their science classes. Since this was an online, independent project, I ensured that I provided many engaging and interactive activities using carefully considered and appropriate digital tools throughout the project to ensure that student interest levels remained high. Students were provided with choice boards containing various activities geared toward different learning styles and intelligences to appeal to all learners and keep the content relevant. This project supports mastery of standard 2.4 because, this this project contained many differentiated elements to provide all students with equitable learning experiences, students still had to think critically, activating their higher order thinking skills, problem solve, self-assess, and reflect to successfully complete each activity. The elements of the learning activities required students to work through the four Cs: communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking to complete all elements of this project. Throughout this creation of this project, I learned how important it is to guide students toward thinking for themselves and either independently or collaboratively problem solving to complete tasks. Releasing responsibility to the learners is important to create a sense of ownership and self-assessment skills amongst the students. If I were to make any improvements in this project, I would add an option for students to create a series of podcasts as an activity. I believe that the project could use more options for auditory learners. Possibly, providing an option for the students to create a series of podcasts as a learning activity would appeal to more learners, provide them with another activity to think critically and showcase their learning creatively. The technology skills the students both gained and refined through this project directly align to the technology improvement plan located within our school’s improvement plan. The impact can be assessed by the student’s products at the conclusion of the project.