week 4 assignment #2

English language learners need to constantly and consciously learn the new languages. It characterizes the importance of correctness and frequency in the learning process. Learners can transform short-term memories into long-term memories through repetition and rehearsal and understand when and how to apply the targeted language according to demonstrations. But traditionally, it also challenges the teachers' patience. Now, through technology and the internet, teaching can accommodate individuals effectively and efficiently, to some extent, more financially.  Because learners can follow their own pace, and improve their weaknesses via the repeated practice. If they don't understand the content, they can reach out to others without time-space restriction. In the view of educational psychology, ELLs don't feel lonely because the internet connects all learners from every corner virtually. However, the use of technology and the Internet must be very careful, teachers not only need to demonstrate the operation explicitly and ensure ICTs are accessible for all ELLs but also teach,

1) the respect of intellectual rights,

2) how to focus on topics without distraction,

3) how to avoid improper content or fraudulent,

4) safety issue, such as the cyberbully

In my view, I will do some mini-lessons in the whole class and invite students to share their new finding regularly to make sure the quality of the process. I believe the instruction can stimulate unmotivated learners and foster the self-directed learning.

Reference

New Directions for Technology Use in ELL Instruction

week 3 #2

A haven for refugees, this Nebraska high school builds a web of support for its diverse student population

After reading this news, I feel greatly encouraged by the fact that such a school indeed manifests the society of the incredibly diverse. These students are blessed with boundless available courses. All offerings in school and system engage students in challenging academics and rich arts programs.

From the moment they enter the school gate, they can feel accepted because they have hoisted the national flag representing the students of various countries. To my surprise, Lincoln High School is the only majority non-white high school in Lincoln and serving students representing over 30 different languages. To arrive this point, it's not difficult to figure out the strong support systems work diligently for students and their families. Students at Lincoln highly value the school’s diversity. “The acceptance of all cultures, races, genders, and sexualities is an aspect of Lincoln High that I ... take pride in.”

I identify that each person needs to be understood and accepted. These people come from different corner worldly with various background who need more psychological care. As described in the news, after implementing "Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports", which provides a welcoming school environment and helps to create a culture of support, school Disciplinary referrals decreased by 23 percent, and in-school suspensions have decreased by 60 percent.

In this school, Teachers learn how to support students, building on students’ strengths and cultures and encouraging students to challenge themselves with advanced coursework by offering IB bilingual program, a media center for music making, resources for robotics, technology, and engineering. And rich art offerings are also infused in the school’s cultural differences.

The success of the school also depends on the cooperation between communities. An Academic Resource Center provides content-specific support for students after school. A full-time Parent and Community Engagement Specialist facilitate ties between families and community. These efforts not only make this school excellent but demonstrate the advantage of diversity!

Therefore, after reading this news, I understand that successful teachings in diversity must combine a lot of resources. School teachers must also understand the power of a pluralistic society. In curriculum design, teachers must complement each other; and at the same time, setting a happy learning environment will enable the children to gain confidence and learn more efficiently.

week 3 #3

•         What the video: Universal Design for Learning (http://www.cast.org/our-work/about-udl.html#.Wxf1ii-ZOYU) and explain What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?
  I think Universal Design for Learning is an important teaching concept. As mentioned in the film, the current society has become more diverse. Even in some countries that are underdeveloped or developing, there may have been some restrictions due to the geography in the past, but now technology get them a grip linking to the other countries in the world. As a result, students’ backgrounds have become increasingly diverse physically and virtually. This teaching method taught me to understand that everyone has different backgrounds, barriers, or expertise. Teachers should provide a fair opportunity for learning. Through a variety of ways, students can understand the goals they want to learn and activate their prior knowledge. At the same time, they are passionate about learning via a well-designed course. I assume that under such a teaching method, I can also meet a very dynamic class. The teacher is very careful to design his/her curriculum; the classmates often discuss together and cooperate with each other. And I believe that the assessment provided by the teacher is also very diverse and ongoing, I believe integrating all these factors can make the whole learning more effective and efficient.
  
  
  ·         Select a lesson from CAST UDL website:
   http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/explore.php and analyze the lesson with UDL connections.    
  I select the lesson,  Fractals, An Inquiry.
  The reason why I chose this lesson is that I am very curious about the approach in American mathematics subject. It is different from the teachings in Asian. American mathematics courses as I know are often designed to apply in practical life. So the lesson picked by me is not only for students experiencing the connection between the concept of mathematics and life, but also allow students to understand scientific inquiry. In five-day continuous activities, students learn step by step according to their own pace. In the design of the course, I saw the spirit of UDL, that is, students have options to complete their homework independently or with other people. The teacher also does not restrict specific forms for students to present the conclusion they want to present or the understanding they would like to share. Every student has his own strength, as long as he can use the right media students can express their understanding with more confidence. In the final part, the students will review the results of their own learning respectively or collaboratively. Through the rubrics provided according to the process, the students will know where they should progress toward. 
  The idea I really like the most is listing all the students' names on a chart. According to the progress of different students, the teacher could understand and observe which students needed help. This idea characterizes the spirit of UDL and I believe that students will feel more confident in this approach and gradually realize that they are responsible for their learning.
  
  

week 2 assignment #3

Here is my assignment enclosed the Prezi and Quizlet.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RE7pKZAxRBHma-NteIzkub8mR9LiVmJxxHSzc1HenVA/edit?usp=sharing

week 2 assignment #2

Research current issue and write a reflection on the issue of diversity/multiculturalism in the news and implications for teaching, learning, and technology

Here is my assignment. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zsjZgA_c9MwKVkJwisF-oA1bVSkNdzvmEci7wd8eU0g/edit?usp=sharing

week 1 assignment #4

Review ISTE Standards

In my generation, the landline was a commodity in daily life. Now it became a decoration in a house by being replaced with the smartphone. During the transition, can people transit their courtesy into the digital environment? Along with the release of the free app, can the digital native respect another's privacy and intellectual rights? How can the parents and educators keep cyberbullying at bay?

After review the ISTE standards, I find the ISTE Standards consist of five sets of standards and provide a clear direction for digital age learning, teaching, and leading. The educator from every corner around the world could apply the standards in a variety of ways. For example, the category of the student standards could be set as the objective in mini-lesson for fostering students to become the digital citizen with understanding their responsibilities. Securing the safe platform is the first priority standards for every user. We could bring up the profound questions to have students identify their roles in the virtual world.

Based on each sub-category, district, school, and teachers can develop the clear ideas of how to infuse technology into the lesson plans or create a technology project.

Besides, the professional standards for teachers, administrators, coaches and computer science educators can guide educators in their professional development and form a sharing environment which supports each other and empowers educators to implement their job more effectively and efficiently, such as curriculum design and assessment.

Since we all recognize it’s an ongoing professional learning era, with the explicit standards everyone could pace smoothly.

Hi everyone! Here is my intro

My Voki!

l   If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?

If one day I would have this chance, I would write a book named “Mandarin is not as difficult as you thought” to share my culture and teach Mandarin.

l   Tell us one of your favorite joke.

A kid got angry about “Iron man”. He complained, “He shouldn’t cheat on Miss Pepper,” he went on, “he had married Iron lady already!”

l   Tell us what subject you teach, years of teaching, and how far you are in the Teacher Education or MSIT program.

I was a preschool teacher in Taiwan for four years back ten years ago. During the leisure time, I taught Mandarin on and off since 2013.

So far, it’s my third school year in NYIT, I realized the teaching approaches are quite different in the western country and eastern country. I expect myself could apply the American-style instruction to Mandarin teaching.

l   How much do you know about teaching language arts?

I elected the course of language art and technology, I would like to say the English-speaking system is way different from Mandarin’s. Comparing the similarity and difference makes me understand more about my diver students.

l   How much do you know about "new literacies?"

Through the courses infused technology, I have learned a lot about the new literacy and being getting confidence on integrating ICTs into the curriculum!

l   What are your concerns about taking this course?

I am going to have a national exam of Mandarin teaching, hopefully, I could manage my schedule well.