Links to external websites

https://www.technology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/science/biology/botany

http://www.bing.com/videos/searchq=Plant%20needs&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=plant%20needs@sc=811&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=678F0956D6DA24CD0F5678F0856D6A24CD0F5

https://www.kidsgrowingstrong.org/plantneeds
https://www.brainpop.com/games/whatplantsneed/

My Blog

I've had a blog page from my previous classes. Therefore, I did not have to create a new one. When I did create the blog page the process was simple.  All I had to do was follow the instructions provided on setting up the page. I went to the website www.blogspot.com and entered a username and password for myself. After confirming my password, I was all set.

Instructional Technology

Instructional technology has immersed over the years. Searched engines such as Google, along with social media such as blogging, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube make learners, receivers and producers distribute knowledge in a more resourceful way.

My Twitter Account

https://twitter.com/Pacman8123

Welcome my fellow Ashford University Alunmi!

Hello my fellow Alumni. This is my blog which I hadn't used since 2012. It's very informative and I hope that you all enjoy it.

Measurable Objectives

Three Written Measurable Learning Outcomes

Writing instructional objectives should be kept dimple and straightforward.  Kubiszyn and Borich (2010) states, “an instructional objective should be a clear and concise statement of the skills or skills that the students will be expected to perform” (p.110).  In addition, an instructional objective must be stated in observable, behavioral terms which include an action verb that specifies a learning outcome. The learning objectives below consist of three written measurable learning outcomes for a hypothetical unit of study for first grade level in Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.

Grade Level: First

 A Language Arts Unit on the Alphabet

This three-to-four week language arts unit allows students to explore the alphabet through activities based on their individual readiness levels. Throughout, the students will be exposed to various alphabet books as they work towards creating their own books. In addition, students will be involved in a variety of large-and-small group activities designed to increase their grasp of letter sound and their ability to apply them. Because it presents information fundamental to literacy, this unit is a good one to use at the start of a school year.

The title of this unit is All About the ABCs/ABC Art Project

Measurable Objective: The student will create ABC products using various art materials (alphabet sponges and stencils, magazines, newspapers).

A Science Unit on the Functions of Plant Parts for a first grade class

          This hands-on, three to four week science unit invite students to explore plant growth and survival. During this unit students will be allowed to ask questions and devise ways to find answers as they discover why plants are important. They will also observe plant growth to learn about a plant’s life cycle.

The title of this unit is What Plants Need

Measurable Objective: The student will identify the names and functions of plant parts: root, stem, leaf, flower, and seed, and make observations and record changes in the life cycle of a plant.

A Social Studies Unit on Needs, Wants, and Community Helpers

          This three-to-four week social studies unit opens up with a review of the basic about what a community is and then, through a variety of hands-on-activities, delves into the concept of interdependence within a community. It helps students to develop an understanding of people’s interactions within a community, their community responsibilities, and the ways which they others in the community.

Measurable Objective: The student will explain the different components of a community, and be able to compare, contrast, and evaluate community roles.

Reference

Kubiszyn, T. & Borich, G. D. (2010), Educational testing and measurement: Classroom              application and practice (9th ed.). United States: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Blog Assignment

Terrance Riley

EDU 645: Learning & Assessment for the 21st Century

Instructor: Dr. Bridget Griggs

October 29, 2012

Blog Assignment: Thought Process and Rationale of Test Items and Essay Items

The selection of my item format was determined by my instructional objectives. The test items that I selected were multiple choice items. I decided to use multiple choice items because they can be used to measure a variety of simple-to-complex outcomes. The questions that I used are well constructed and have the capability to assess higher-level thinking abilities. The test questions can be scored easily and students are provided the opportunity to select from more than one answer choice. I tried to include distractors so that the student must engage in some problem solving in order to select the correct response from the answer choices. These selected-response items can be used effectively by teachers to drive defensible inferences about students’ cognitive status (Popham, 2007), that is knowledge and skills teachers typically try to promote in their students.

The vocabulary used in the test essay items is suitable for the students who will be taking the test. The test items are presented in a direct-question forum. One strength of the multiple choice items is that they contain several answers differing in their relative correctness. The essay items can be used to measure a student’s possession of knowledge or a student’s ability to engage in higher levels of thinking.

Furthermore, multiple choice items are unique among objective test items, because they allow you to measure behavior at the higher level of the taxonomy of educational objectives. The test questions can be scored easily and students are provided the opportunity to select from more than one answer choice

References

Kubiszyn, T. & Borich, G. D. (2010), Educational testing and measurement:        Classroom application and practice (9th ed.). United States: John Wiley and                                                                           Sons, Inc.

Popham, W. J. (2008). Classroom assessment: What teachers need to know? (5th ed.).     Boston: Pearson.

When I Think of Research...

The insights that I have gained about research from taking this course is that research is a process that stems from an interest of a certain field or inquiry. The first step to the research process is the selection of a topic. From the selection of a topic, the researcher sets out to establish facts and build relationships. However, the researcher needs to be careful when guiding the investigation of the research question. A hypotheses needs to be stated for each problem if the research question is not appropriate. Once the research question or hypotheses have been stated, the researcher then begins to collect data from various sources, social settings, journals, books, and other scholarly materials. Once the data is collected it needs to be summarized, analyzed, and organized in order to present the findings from the study.

Understanding that there are rules of operation for conducting research has changed some of my views about research. It is important that as a researcher, I do not violate these rules nor act in an unethical manner when dealing with research participants.

The lessons that I learned about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood is that as a researcher, it is very important to familiarize myself with the issues of equity in research design. The goal is not to make things equal, but to be just and fair in the research process.

Some of the challenges that I faced were trying to come up with a valid research question that would not lack credibility after the research process has been completed. I had to make sure that my selected topic was significant and researchable. I also had to make sure that the reliable and valid data could be obtained from my research question.

My perceptions about early childhood professionals haven’t changed that much. The issues of quality and equity have become a big topic in the field of education. It is important for early childhood professionals to be able to used research design in a beneficial way. The findings from research can be of great value for the early childhood professional and other.