Kathleen
Forum Replies Created
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KathleenParticipantSounds very cool. I would like to know more. Thank you.in reply to: Sharing Student Projects #727791
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KathleenParticipantAssessment is a necessary tool used by formal educators to evaluate student understanding of classroom instructions. Inquiry based projects required different methods of assessment that may not be simple or easy. Therefore, when doing inquiry based projects it is important to identify an assessment that supports this unique learning style. Inquiry based projects give students a role in designing experiments. Students assume greater responsibilities in learning. Students are not learning the same information in inquiry based projects, therefore standardized assessments are not applicable. Many inquiry based projects are individualized so assessments must be individualized as well. The rubrics shared in this unit are examples of how educators can make create some structure and definition to assess inquiry based projects. Rubric are like road maps that help direct and lead students along a learning path. Rubrics are objective and gives learners certain benchmarks to accomplish. Benchmarks can measure student comprehension of the subject. By assigning points for each benchmark, assessment is similar to grading. Inquiry based projects allow students to deepen their knowledge of the subject beyond what typically is involved in a standard lesson. When students create posters or presentations to explain what they are learned, they are more invested in learning. Inquiry based project assessment can demonstrate what students actually know. A rubric is a way to measure this learning. Although, I do not assess students as an informal educator, I see when students are motivated to excel and grow in understanding.in reply to: Sharing Student Projects #727790
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KathleenParticipantThis is extremely disappointing. I hope that you continue and become discourage. The students deserve your persistence.in reply to: Assessing Investigations – Classroom Case Study #727268
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KathleenParticipantGood point that students need to rethink how they learn.in reply to: Assessing Investigations – Classroom Case Study #727267
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KathleenParticipantInquiry based activities seem like a great way for students to really be involved with learning. I applaud all of the educator are able to facilitate this type of learning. I really enjoyed reading how Mr. Kahler has incorporated this style of learning into this classrooms. It is wonderful how he views this style of learning as a learning experience for himself in revising and improving his lessons based on his experiences with his students. This level of self evaluation is amazing and valuable. I also appreciate that students learn to provide positive feedback through peer review - what a skill for students to learn and practice. This level of discussion elevates interpersonal exchange and helps each learner to improve. I would really enjoy doing this type of learning, but in my current role, I have a short time to engage and interact with my audience. Lots of people have commented on this style of learning takes a lot of time and their time is limited by what they need to accomplish. That being said, I think if inquiry based learning can result in more learning then this time is well spent. It is evident that inquiry based activities must be fully communicated within the education community to ensure that student experiments are not disrupted by uniformed maintenance or custodial personal do not understand what is happening. Buy in and administrative support seem necessary along with understanding among other educators so everyone is aware of the learning that is taking place. Perhaps education advancement needs to have teacher rethink teaching to further student literacy.in reply to: Assessing Investigations – Classroom Case Study #727266
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KathleenParticipantTaylor - thank you. This is a great resource. FYI - there is another site that includes Monarch Watch which is the Joint Monarch Venture JMV. This site is a clearinghouse of all monarch resources. JMV hosts monthly monarch webinars which are terrific. Students can learn a lot from the webinars. Webinars are appropriate for high school student. The JMV has resources and publications that would be useful to students as well. We monarchs are beloved by many different audiences.in reply to: Data Literacy Through Citizen Science #725499
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KathleenParticipantLooks amazing. I will explore this site. Thank you.in reply to: Data Literacy Through Citizen Science #725497
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KathleenParticipantI explored NestWatch which is a Citizen Science (CS) project through the Cornell Lab. NestWatch is a nest monitoring project that allows participants to report data about bird nests throughout the county. The website is very informative, easy to use and has several educational resources. Participants can learn about birdhouses, nest and egg identification and much more. Anyone can create an account where participants can map and record nest observations. By monitoring nests, participants can collect data about birds nesting at schools or certain sites. Students can learn about birds that use birdhouses (nest boxes) and can properly place boxes at sites to monitor. The information tracks trends and the reproductive successes of birds through the country. NestWatch also hosts publications and research related to nest monitoring. NestWatch publishes an annual report that summarizes the data received. The report has regionally specific results. Students can analyze trends with the top species reported in their region. The website is accessible to anyone to explore. There are no requirements to use the data in the annual report or access the research and learning resources. There are many different ways that students can use NestWatch to conduct investigations. Students can look at trends in the reproductive successes of birds from their region and explore why some birds are successful and others are declining. This CS project is very exciting and has so many applications. Data can be used in conjunction with other CS projects like eBird and NestCams.in reply to: Data Literacy Through Citizen Science #725496
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KathleenParticipant
- Set aside time to be outdoors regularly. There is always something new to see that evoke curiosity.
- Use the I Wonder board to park questions that cannot be addressed, but need to be acknowledged.
- Revisit the I Wonder board to clear questions so learners find answers.
- Create a welcoming, open, safe and comfortable environment for learners to explore.
- Have a reference/resource library with age appropriate guides/materials for learners to use.
- Secure field equipment for learners to use like hand lens, spotting scopes, binoculars, nets, etc. Explain and support the proper use of the field equipment.
- Introduce new objects often for exploration.
- Consider having live animals in your classes - programs like Salmon in the Classroom really help engage learners. Watching things grow provides a powerful learning experience
- Play games and have fun activities that support science concepts.
- Invite local passionate speakers to interact with learners.
- Have a place where learners can show their work and progress in different formats from posters to art or even theater.
- Educators must also be excited since curiosity is contagious. Pass it on.
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KathleenParticipantSounds like a great program.in reply to: Launching Investigations #724335
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KathleenParticipantStrategies and tools that I think are helpful to encourage curiosity and questions are as follows:in reply to: Launching Investigations #724317
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KathleenParticipantGood tip about the Online Privacy Protection Act. Thank you.in reply to: Symbiosis in the Soil – Classroom Case Study #723414
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KathleenParticipantI hope to try iNaturalist after hearing about your experience and the presentation today. Thank you.in reply to: Symbiosis in the Soil – Classroom Case Study #723413
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KathleenParticipantI have participated and led NestWatch with volunteers in a former position. This spring I volunteered as a NestWatch monitor for a local park district. NestWatch is a CS project that tracks nesting birds and offers numerous educational resources and protocol to support volunteers doing this CS work. NestWatch also offers an online data base for data collection. As a volunteer, I checked six nest boxes at a local park at least weekly or more often if a nest was started in the boxes. . This experience allowed me to get outdoors and focus on something other than the pandemic which was a welcome distraction. It was nice to spend time doing this work. Due to past experience leading this activity with volunteers professionally, I had the knowledge of the birds using the nest boxes which may the biggest challenge to this project. Monitoring involved nest boxes that are suitable for Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows and House Wrens primarily. Nest boxes narrow the scope of what students need to learn. NestWatch provides an opportunity to witness the development of these birds and understand their life cycles. Student interests and inquiry can lead them to investigate more about the birds they are monitoring. The challenge of this project is the time commitment since you follow the nesting cycles of birds takes weeks to months. Eastern Bluebirds have more than one brood per season. In addition, there is a cost of building the boxes and placing them in the appropriate habitat that is nearby and accessible. This could be done on a schoolyard natural area and involve other classes like shop or woodworking.. The outcomes for the students are multiple. Students gain observational and analytic skills through the activity. They also are disciplined to follow scientific protocols to protect birds and record quality data. They are given an intimately window into how fragile yet resilient birds are by watching parent birds care and nurture their eggs nestlings. The experience is memorable and remarkable. It is something to watch.in reply to: Symbiosis in the Soil – Classroom Case Study #723410
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KathleenParticipantAmy- agreed. Great input.in reply to: Supporting Open-ended Questions #723038
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KathleenParticipantHow can educators be catalysts for students to observe and wonder? Educators are tasked to introduce students to knowledge and expand their horizons? This is a tremendous responsibility that can further society and community depending on the approach. As discussed initially in this class, the learning environment needs to be welcoming, safe and comfortable for kids to learn. A place where they can make mistakes and grow from these experiences. When kids feel safe to learn and explore, then there are numerous opportunities to encourage students to observe and wonder. One of the best places to observe and wonder is the GREAT outdoors. The possibilities to observe natural phenomena are endless. No matter where you live there is always something to see and learn outdoors. The outdoor classroom is a gateway for exploration. It is a perfect place for educators to spark learning and get students excited about it. It is not easy to learn in the outdoors. Educators need to plan and utilize the practices and frameworks offered thus far in the class. Using the I wonder board will help keep safe some of the questions that the students want to know. In addition, asking open ended questions is an important consideration. For me, this will take practice to develop this habit. Teachers also need to act excited to be excited - curiosity and excitement are contagious. By teachers modeling the learning behaviors that they want students to emulate, this will begin a new classroom culture. Also, it is important to engage partners like parents and local organizations that can provide expertise or even equipment.in reply to: Supporting Open-ended Questions #723037
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KathleenParticipantYou brought up a good point in your comments. Perhaps the students could separate the sounds by human made vs. natural. Last summer when I was vacationing, I found a spot that was devoid of any human made sounds - it was truly quiet. Both my husband and I commented on the fact that we had not been a place like this for some time. Our lives are filled with noises daily.in reply to: Encouraging Observations #722990
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KathleenParticipantYou have shared lots of good applications - I am grateful. Thank you.in reply to: Encouraging Observations #722989
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KathleenParticipantThe sound map is somewhat of a Zen experience. Taking time to stop and just listen is rare. The experience was restful and almost restorative because you just listen. This quieting time helps anyone stop and collect your thoughts. For adults this time is just the opposite of multi-tasking. The world is filled with distractions and the quieting experience from the sound mapping activity helps improve one's focus. I think that doing this often and practicing this activity may help establish a habitat of thinking first. It also creates a space when you can evaluate your thoughts and organize them. In reading some of the comments, words like being mindful, critical thinking and present in the moment were used. For teachers this activity provides a great balance during a class by spending quiet times interspersed with discussion. The quiet times develops keener observational and thinking skills. Here is my map done during lunch break on a weekday in the subdivision. There are several mature oak trees where I live. I am sure that doing this activity in a nature area or a park would be better. This is a great way to spend instructional time with students.in reply to: Encouraging Observations #722986
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KathleenParticipantKristen - yes this is always a struggle to continue the learning once the students leave the places they are visiting. It is so important. If you have any ideas - please elaborate. Thank you.in reply to: Linking Citizen Science & Inquiry #721990