Regina's+Project

n nnRnnnnnnnnnn nnnnFinal Course Project
My **reason for focusing on this element**: As educators we are all well aware of the fact that creating a differentiated learning environment where students are given a variety of means to achieve the same goal is best practice for learning and teaching. However, we sometimes tend to get caught up in the daily rigors of teaching and soon fall into the trap of teaching to just one learning style. I know that happens to me but I am mindful of my practice and being a reflective practitioner I always try to find new ways to avoid those pitfalls of teaching to one size fits all.
 * I am a high school chemistry teacher and have mixed ability students in my honors and standard level classes. As I think about my classroom practice, the one element that I would like to focus on this fall would be to create a learning environment that is FLEXIBLE. I would like to provide a variety of pathways for student understanding, engagement and expression of their learning.

Having researched a variety of resources for creating a flexible classroom environment, one quote that particularly stands out for me is that by Rick Wormeli: //"Differentiated instruction is mostly about what we do ahead of time, not how we interact or conduct the lesson at the time. There are some good aspects going on in the classroom, but that facilitation can only occur with purposeful and thoughtful planning. I can make flexible decisions because I've already prepared the resources or other avenues in anticipation of student needs. Am I always prepared for everything? No way. I get better with time, however." - Rick Wormeli, MiddleWeb List Serve Response, "Getting Started with Differentiation", 2003. //

My goal is to engage in careful and purposeful planning for a flexible learning environment by creating a variety of resources ahead of time. Edmodo, Knowmia, Google Sites, and wikispaces will be new tools that will help me with preparing resources ahead of time for my students.

**Other ecosystem elements that will be impacted**: For a flexible learning environment to work efficiently students must be **socially responsible** by participating fully in assignments, show credibility in choosing the level of work that best suits their needs while also providing maximum challenge, be team-oriented because they will work cooperatively in teams, be respectful and ethical too. Another element that will be impacted is the opportunity for **empowering** students because they will be taking responsibility for their own learning by identifying the choices that best provide **rigor** and challenge for the level they are at.
 * My belief about this ecosystem:** In fact, although it may seem like a lot of front loading to provide differentiation or flexibility in my lessons, ultimately the benefits are immense not only for students but also for me when I watch how students take responsibility for their own learning and want to learn because my instruction is tailored to their needs. As teachers we must be learning designers who create unique learning environments that support differentiation in the classroom.
 * Impact this element will have on my students' learning ** : Creating a learning environment that is FLEXIBLE allows me to start where students are at and provide opportunities for them to end up where I want them to be. In doing so, my students will be challenged at their level and will have a variety of means to attain the learning goals I set for the class. A flexible environment will entail creating tiered assignments for all students so that students can feel successful about beginning at a point where they are most comfortable and gradually engage in more challenging material when they are ready. Students will be able to handle concepts in "bite-size chunks" that are suitable for their ability and will feel empowered to take learning in their own hands because they will see themselves being gradually successful. I also plan to provide technology options keeping the SAMR model in mind. While I carefully discern whether or not a technology tool enhances learning to the extent that it redefines learning, I may not completely ignore a certain technology tool that might seem like a substitute because it may be the only means to hook some students to engage in learning. For example, creating a QR code for an assignment may be the same as actually providing a paper copy of the assignment, but the novelty of the QR code may help some students get started.

Artifacts that I created:
 * Artifact # 1**: In order to build a flexible learning environment I must first assess where students are at before assigning work. Since chemistry is math based, I have found over the years that most students who struggle with chemistry are generally struggling with math. At the beginning of the year I will give my students a short math quiz to assess where they are at with their math skills. I can then create groups based on their math skills. Attached is a link that I created in Edmodo.Math Assessment for Chemistry Students


 * Artifact # 2:** Also, I would need to get a better idea of my students' Learning Styles to help me use a host of strategies that tap into their learning style. At the beginning of the year I could give my students a learning style survey as they fill out a Getting to Know You Google form. Here is the Google form I created for that purpose: [|Getting to Know You]

Here is the Google Site I created with some of the links.[|My Google site] ||
 * Artifact # 3:** Google site with a link showing how to use some of the technology tools that I plan to use for differentiation. I also created a file cabinet for Lab Safety. In this file I have included a variety of resources for my students to access and choose from to become familiar with safety in the chemistry lab. I have included videos, illustrations, cartoons, a review quiz and a document on lab safety. By providing these varied resources ahead of time I am confident that my students will have a choce of pathways to learn lab safety.