As I reflect over this course, I use to think that a good lesson plan consists of a good generalization and big idea statement detailing out the unit & chapter objectives.  I believed that as long as I had well thought out lesson objectives covering the standards that will be addressed in the lesson, the needed materials to get my points across and a good assessment tool to measure the students’ understanding of the lesson, I had a great lesson plan.

Little did I know that I had only scrapped the tip of the ice bird.  I incorporated some of the visible thinking routines in my classroom, such as “Think-Share-Pair” and “Circle of Viewpoints” without even realizing that these were part of the Project Zero study done by Harvard, which also ties into Bloom’s Taxonomy.  

 I used to think that Bloom’s Taxonomy was a model only used on college level.  But now I think that it enhances the student’s learning experience to achieve a deeper understanding.  I used to think that visible thinking routines could only foster deep thinking in some students.  But now I think it encourages all students to analyze and evaluate all information.  

This technology course has taught me so many innovative ways of putting together a lesson plan.  First let’s start with how the course was designed.  Having to create a lesson plan and incorporate technology pieces such as concert mapping, google productivity tools, animated cartoons, and visual storytelling into it, I thought was going to be the death of me.   I must admit that I didn’t even know what ISTE*S meant, but now I think it’s a great tool to use when writing lesson plans.

I learned that concept mapping helps to connect events and gives a visual look at what’s being taught.  Learning to create animated cartoon was a plus.  When teaching high schoolers seeing animation in the lesson brings fun and helps them to attain the lesson.  Going forward I will include video tools when creating lesson plans.  It plays a critical role in part due to most students already existing habit of consuming digital content. 

I realized times has changed since my days of high school.  I used to think that standing in front of the class giving out textbook information and lecturing was consisted great teaching.  But now I think technology adds favor and character to the lessons. 

This class has elevated my way of thinking and approach to creating high level lesson planning.

                                       References

Classroom with Teacher Cartoon. (n.d.). Bing. Retrieved February 29, 2024, from               https://www.bing.com/images/search?                                                                             q=Classroom+with+Teacher+Cartoon&form=RESTAB&first=1

StoryJumper: #1 rated site for creating story books. (n.d.). Www.storyjumper.com.             https://storyjumper.com

(2021). Futurecdn.net. Retrieved February 29, 2024, from

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(2024). Earth.com. Retrieved February 29, 2024, from 

             https://cff2.earth.com/uploads/2017/08/17195711/New-wave-of-tech-                     devices-prompt-environmental-dilemma.jpg