Usually, when a teacher delivers an integrated lesson, there will be a digital artifact as an output for the lesson. This digital artifact then ends up in a student's digital portfolio.
At the end of 8th grade, the digital portfolios are assessed for basic ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) proficiency. If the student's digital portfolio is assessed as proficient, then that student has met the criteria for technology and is able to register for the required 1/2 credit advanced technology course in high school.
While students don't always enjoy the reflecting process, it is a valuable experience. It's very eye-opening for teachers as well to see how students reflect.
One of the reflection questions is often about one of the "habits of mind" (HOM) adopted this year by KRMS.
There are 3 key areas for the HOM: Being Responsible, Being Respectful and Being Resilient.
On a recent combined project for Language Arts and Science affectionately known as the "Human Body Project," students were required to reflect on the HOM of being a responsible learner.
Here is the specific question:
Q3: One of the KRMS Habits of Mind is “I am Responsible for my success as a learner.” This includes being dependable, which is defined on the poster as “being on time, being prepared for class, staying on task, owning your actions and being honest.”
For this reflection question, offer an honest assessment of whether you exhibited the habit of mind of being responsible or not. Give one specific example of how you did or didn’t exhibit this HOM and one specific piece of advice you will give yourself for your next research project.
Student 1
After nearly 1½ months of research and work, I believe that the Habits of Mind helped me work through this project. “Being on time, being prepared for class, staying on task, and owning your actions and being honest.” These character traits help create the ideas that make up who I am.
Student 2
I think one way I didn’t exhibit HOM was using my time wisely. I got pretty far ahead of my friends, so some of the classes I wouldn’t take full advantage of to finish my project but, to talk to friends. Advice I would give myself next time would be to utilize the time given and try not to exceed time.
I think one way I didn’t exhibit HOM was using my time wisely. I got pretty far ahead of my friends, so some of the classes I wouldn’t take full advantage of to finish my project but, to talk to friends. Advice I would give myself next time would be to utilize the time given and try not to exceed time.
Student 3
I believe that I was sort of dependable but I really need to improve on always staying on task. Even though the due date seems far away you still have to put in a lot of work and effort into your presentation. I think next time I do a project I should work on using my time wisely and not wasting time. Some days I would talk a lot with my friends and I have to decrease that time to put more energy into my project.
Student 4
I think that I could have been more responsible with my research. We were given plenty of time in class and I feel that I didn’t appreciate it enough. Next time I am given research to do, I will use my given class time to do as much as I can.
I think that I could have been more responsible with my research. We were given plenty of time in class and I feel that I didn’t appreciate it enough. Next time I am given research to do, I will use my given class time to do as much as I can.
Student 5
I did not exhibit the habit of mind of being responsible. I procrastinated and did not use my class time well most of the time. In the end, I pulled it together really well. For my next research project, I will make sure I do not talk as much and get my work done instead. I am going to try to do better when I do my science fair project.
Ask your child to show you his/her digital portfolio. It's in your child's Google Account in the Google Sites App. Some of the students have been collecting artifacts since kindergarten and the portfolio showcases an excellent collection of technology proficiency evidence.
Check out the reflections as well.
I hope you are impressed with the skills that your child is exhibiting with digital technologies such as completing online research, effectively communicating new information in creative ways, thinking in a computational fashion, and being an innovative designer. If your child has tech ed for a special, then you will find a dream bedroom design using an online CAD program. Many students have a collaborative website that they made in 7th grade science class on the water cycle. Students might also have a video that they created using a greenscreen application. Some students created a Minecraft world to demonstrate their understanding of their 8th grade reading of The Outsiders. There is some impressive learning happening with technology.
Once you look at the digital portfolio, come back and comment on what you have seen. Ask questions. Give shout-outs to your kids. Compliment a teacher. Give yourself a pat on the back!
