ALEKS stands for Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces. Adaptive questioning assesses student's on what they know and don't. Topics are individually distributed to students that they are ready to learn. Systematically students are reassessed on previous topics to ensure that learning is retained.
- Technology as an instructional tool:
I saw this piece of technology used as an instructional tool in a 3rd grade. It was integrated into the classroom through the use of chrome books during math centers. The arrangements of topics work students towards meeting math standards. Below is a screenshot of what the topic selection looks like. Each different color represents a different topic or standard.
-Use of Multimedia:
Multimedia allows students to work in a different medium than just paper or pencil. In this program, there is text and audio for each problem the student is working on. There is also an 'explanation' tab where students can go if they are struggling to grasp that specific concept.
-Classroom Management Around Technology Use:
It is very important that students know the correct way to be using technology. There are rules that were generated by the class as guidelines to follow when using technology. Students also have digital citizenship workshops where it is learned how to be a good online citizen. The class as a whole knows that if technology is not used correctly that they will lose their time.
-Student Use of Technology:
In today's world, technology is being used so heavily. A chrome book cart is signed out and brought to the classroom for their registered time. They know exactly how to get to this program through a symbaloo page on the school website. Students sign in and begin their journey working with the ALEKS program. Below is a picture of the signed out chrome book cart used for this activity.
-Embracing Change:
Grasping onto change can be tricky. As teachers, the use of technology is always going to be changing. Embracing change is done seamlessly using this website by creating healthy screen time through simplicity. It is important to embrace this and use this to the best of our advantage so students can reach their full learning potential.
Hi, Madeline! I find it really awesome your teacher uses technology like this. I am in a 1st grade classroom and would probably need to do a lot of hand holding to get something like this to work effectively. Did your CT tell you how long it took for her 3rd graders to get accustomed to it?
ReplyDeleteAlso, do you find that there are some 3rd graders that can't learn or have difficulty processing information when using this piece of technology? I remember as a kid that I had a hard time learning from technology but then again, that was when technology like this was just being introduced!
Your post was interesting! I look forward to your future ones. Good luck in the classroom! :)