Castle's Journey with Technology

  Week 3 Blog Post: How People Learn II – Chapter 4 “Processes That Support Learning” 1. Three major points The article broke learning down into metacognition , executive function , and self-regulation . I enjoyed reading about myself and my struggles with ADHD. I had to read several paragraphs several times. According to the article, it could be my ADHD or my age, but either way, people struggle with all aspects of learning for different reasons. Metacognition is defined as “the ability to monitor and regulate one’s own cognitive processes and to regulate behavior consciously” (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine [NASEM], 2018, p. 70). Learners must be able to use different ways to understand and reflect on their learning. Executive function is the process by which we take what we learn and apply it. It also involves working with other methods and organizing information effectively. According to the article, “executive function has been researched to become...

Week 2 EDUC-5313 Part 1: Authentic Instruction and Assessment Authentic intellectual work in my classroom combines project-based learning with higher-level thinking. Most traditional instruction focuses on memorization and procedures, whereas AIW pushes students to build on their own knowledge, problem-solve, and apply their learning in meaningful ways. Their learning should connect to the three components of AIW: construction of knowledge, disciplined inquiry, and value beyond school. Going beyond the value of school shows students that they can use their knowledge in the real world. It not only shows them possible careers but also the importance of what they learn. Research in Chapter 2 found that when students engage in tasks requiring these three components, their performance assessments show greater evidence of deep understanding (Newmann et al., 2007). My class thrives on standards-based grading, often through projects. One of my favorite activities is when students solve a my...

Part 1: I am Jamie Castle, and I currently teach seventh-grade Math at Chisholm Middle School. While teaching this core subject, I also teach STEM and Robotics to seventh and eighth-graders. I also coach 6th-8th-grade students who want to compete in robotics competitively. I have taught early childhood, but now call middle school my home. I am working to grow our robotics program at both the middle and high schools. I help develop content in both STEM and math. Even with the success in the Math State score, I long to teach more STEM classes and expand to possibly the high school level. I have always wanted to complete my master's since earning my bachelor's, and with my eagerness to grow in my district, I have returned to finish it after more than a decade.   Part 2: The lessons I want to share today align with ISTE Standard 1.1, Empowered Learner (ISTE, 2016), as students use technology to take ownership of their learning through a "bootcamp." "Bootcamp" i...