I come to you today with much news. We had a jam-packed week of instruction. I bring you my views on Bloom's "Technology" Taxonomy. We have made it completely and succinctly into the 21st Century when we are adapting Bloom's Taxonomy to reflect those skills that are squarely the focus of 21st Century educators. It is an important move I might add. In order to make our classrooms more inclusive, narrow our achievement gaps, and provide students with highly qualified teachers we must have a keen eye focused widely on technology and the uses of technology that improve learning for all students. I believe the new taxonomy will greater assist us in determining when, where, and how to best help students, especially exceptional students. Finally, we have a tool to apply the principles of learning and teaching to a wider span of students. The revised taxonomy, despite my not knowing, was revised in the 1990s. The lower category to the more narrow tip of the Bloom's taxonomy pyramid begin with "remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating" which replaces the 1956 version beginning with "knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluating". The transition is very interesting in the way that it reflects relevance to 21st Century work and to ISTE Standards. Students in the remembering level would be best to work with mind maps or concept mapping software to allow them to brainstorm and idea sparking creative juices. The most important function of Bloom's Taxonomy is that "what educators want students to know is encompassed in statements of educational objectives can be arranged in a hierarchy from less to more complex". (Huitt, 2009) It is likewise important to note that Bloom's Taxonomy categorizes based on intellectual objectives.
In the school where I substitute teach I was asked to work with our art department on creating a post card to send out to parents announcing our Open House. The document that I created is attached. When I first created the document I felt it was bland and lacked any appeal. I did not initially design the postcard for universal appeal. It really only appealed to my students. I failed to include the interests of students who participate in extracurricular activities. On second glance I feel that it is much more sensitive to the needs and desires of a broader range of students and parents.
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| Holmes High School Open House - Revised Post Card |
We were introduced this week in our technology explorations to a website developed and maintained by the Georgia Department of Education through the Georgia Project for Assistive Technology. Through a grant, this project has gone well above the call of duty in regard to the way they have exhaustively investigated the issue of Assistive Technology Devices and Services. No stone was left unturned. They have literally broken apart the IDEA legislation and applied it to every eligible individual in need of these services and educated those who may or may not be in need of these services. Given the ongoing nature of this legislation and the push for technological advances in 21st Century learning it just makes sense that this type of assistance be made available. The website is so professional. The scope of the information is informative and exhaustive. The material is presented in a fashion that is succinct and determined. It is meant to make change right where change is most needed. Thank you Dr. Goldberg for sharing this wonderful measure with us.
Two other academic areas we covered were the multiple uses of word processing and desk top publishing in the academic environment. I felt comfortably right at home with some of the practical uses I've already demonstrated with both. Every year I make a packet of papers with my students' names all around the corner using Desktop Publishing making personal stationary for the students breaking the welcome barrier and giving them some level of independence and responsibility requiring them to use their personal stationary for uses in communicating with me and others in our capacity. This has been well received. I try to keep the stationary in the school colors integrating a symbol of the school mascot such as a paw print in between their names circling the border of their stationary. It has been well received and many have copied this idea. I cannot function in my personal life without word processing and desk top publishing. These are my two technology must-haves.
On a more personal level Dr. Goldberg, my professor, made a courageous dedication to attend class on Monday (not one but two classes) despite the fact that her son suffered an injury that caused him to lose the tips of several of his fingers. She was virtually visibly worried about her son and her grandchild(ren) during class but maintained her composure and integrity in continuing the class. I applaud her and I don't know how she did it. The conversations this week were very good. There was a lot of dialogue about the various uses for technology services we have been investigating over the past couple of weeks. God speed healing with your son Dr. Goldberg. Thank you for your dedication to our class.
I pray you have an absolutely blessed week filled with laughter! Until we meet again in the virtual classroom
peace and blessings, Miss Bee
Huitt, W. (2009). Bloom et al.'s taxonomy of the cognitive domain. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved (4 Sept 2012) from http://www.edpsychinteractive.com/topics/cogsys/bloom.html.
All Rights Reserved ©, Please Request Permission To Duplicate. Belinda Harrett, University of the Cumberlands.
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