3.

1 Classroom Management & Collaborative Learning

Candidates model and facilitate effective classroom management and collaborative learning
strategies to maximize teacher and student use of digital tools and resources
The artifact that represents mastery of standard 3.1 is the collaborative learning lesson plan that
was implemented using Power Point technology along with collaboration with the outside
resource of a Delta pilot who was also a published childrens author. Students researched a
weather anomaly and created a visual presentation from the information they learned. Students
worked in collaborative pairs to conduct the research portion of the project which they used to
develop their individual Power Point presentation. They also interviewed the Delta pilot when he
came to the classroom for his first visit.
There are several students in this group who cannot read. Stronger readers were paired with nonreaders. The use of digital tools allowed students to research topics on the internet with read
aloud software that gave equal access to the content. The read aloud software is installed on both
the computers in the classroom, and on all of the computers in the computer lab. We went to the
computer lab twice a week since there are only three desktop computers in my classroom.
Students had to take turns using the desktop computers on days when we did not go to the
computer lab. The incentive of working in the computer lab with a partner as motivation for the
students who have behavior or attention issues to stay on task. Being able to navigate through the
lesson independently, increased the confidence level of my students who are non-readers. There
are many students in todays classroom that are highly intelligent and learn in alternative
formats. I developed this project to allow for the differentiation of instruction. Confidence is a
big issue for this group of students. Many of these kids have speech language issues, learning
deficits, and are English Language Learners. These students often try to linger in the background
and not volunteer ideas or offer to answer questions. One of the additional benefits of
collaborating with this particular Delta pilot was that he was fluent in Spanish. This allowed the
Spanish speaking students to feel more comfortable asking and answering questions. The use of
the Promethean Board also captured the attention of the students and motivated them to
volunteer for a turn writing on the Promethean Board, or navigate through a flipchart. Students
who had never volunteered before, were clamoring to be the first to use the board. The project
was engaging, because in addition to students being very interested in using the new technology
on a daily basis, the opportunity to work with a Delta pilot was a once in a lifetime experience.