Why did you select this article?
I chose the article Idea Sharing: How to Maximize Participation in a Mixed-level English Class by Gordon D. Carlson. This article intrigued me, not only from the perspective of an ESL classroom but also my everyday classroom setting. I ponder this question all the time. If I give the attention needed for my lower ability students, and my higher level students are ambitious enough to challenge themselves, what happens to the students in the middle? Mr. Carlson has developed two strains of thought in this article. The first section delves into self-learning portfolios. The second section examines the benefits of self-learning portfolios.
Brief Description: What is this article about?
The article Idea Sharing: How to Maximize Participation in a Mixed-level English Class by Gordon D. Carlson explores the use of self-learning portfolios within a diverse English proficiency setting. The quote below from (Jacobs &
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1. I have never heard the terminology of a self-learning portfolio before reviewing this document. Is anyone else knowledgeable about this concept?
2. What is the definition of a false beginner level?
3. Why do teachers require students to list three items, write three sentences, or give me three examples? Why is it usually 3? Is there research to support the number 3? Does the number three have a basis in Feng-Shui?
4. Does anyone else have concerns dealing with the pre-work required by the students for active participation in the classroom activity?
Find the article Idea Sharing: How to Maximize Participation in a Mixed-level English Class by Gordon D. Carlson.at EJ1077942.pdf.
Resources:
Carlson, G. D. (2015). Idea Sharing: How to Maximize Participation in a Mixed-level English Class. PASAA, 49(January-June), 199-212. Retrieved from
These discussions need to be meaningful and have purpose to create a higher chance of student engagement and participation. The article states, “cooperative learning is a natural way to provide opportunities across the curriculum” (Wright, 2016, p. 28-29). The smaller the group, the more likely the ELL student is to add to the conversation, as native English speakers typically dominant whole group discussions. It is important that every student in the small group contributes so the ELL student can hear and practice their own oral language. There are many activities that could be used to ensure this engagement, such as think-pair-share, that requires students to work together and actually get information from each other. Activities that cannot be completed alone and require the thinking of another student would be best for this
Another approach is to form peer groups that embrace cross-cultural dynamics (Herrmann et al. 8). Peer to peer sharing is more effective than lectures and other forms of communication. Peer to peer sharing can be done through social media although face-to-face communication creates a unique bond between the youth and the facilitator.
...f our students in math and science. I feel very passionately for the use of a portfolio, because I feel the students will feel they have more of a say in their education. After all, we all need to work together, because we are all part of a team, the same team.
When working in groups, it helps students be more tolerable of different ideas and teaches them how to approach and solve problems in a variety of ways. When coming into my future classroom, there will be students working with technology, arts, reading, and writing. All students learn in different ways; therefore, a lesson can be taught using different techniques. For example, if a teacher is teaching photosynthesis, those working with art could draw or create a flower and write down the process of photosynthesis, those working with technology could make a video or PowerPoint showing the process, and those who enjoy reading and writing could write a paper explaining the process of photosynthesis. Field trips will also be incorporated into my future classroom. Taking the class on educational field trips can help them gain real-world experiences. For example, taking them to a mock trial lets them experience the process and setting of a trial. Bringing important and successful people in the class to talk to them could also give them an idea of how and what people in different careers do, which will help them in the future decide what they plan to major in, therefore considering students’ ideas, comments, and interests can and will lead teachers to create an intelligent, critical thinking, experienced, skillful, and understanding
...ualized plan due to time constraints, it is reasonable to treat each student as they do have an individualized education. Teachers should know their students well enough to individualize the classroom activities so all students have strengths in each lesson. Through collaborative efforts, teachers can gain knowledge about the students and new ways to teach according to different learning styles. Working together, each student can receive an individualized education where their full potential is used.
3.) How can we meet the demands of students in the classroom if they reside at different levels learning, while
One principal of this is to provide options for expression and communication. This lesson plan does a good job of this already by allowing students to think-pair-share then to say the answer aloud to the teacher in a group class setting, as well as allowing students to create a narrative using the graphic organizer on their own. However, Darius “becomes anxious during group activities, has trouble waiting for his turn”, therefore the group classroom discussion and think-pair-share part of these activities may prove challenging for Darius. Therefore the teacher should allow him the option to do this same activity one on one with her before allowing him to do it on his own to eliminate the group setting.
With regards to the collection of materials, she collects the child’s artwork, writing samples, cutting samples, pictures of the child, anecdotal notes, and progress reports. In her classroom, the child may inadvertently play a part in the portfolio. If a child is more interested in art and actively participates in drawing and writing, they may have more art than a child who is not as interested in this area. Conversely, if a child is more developed in language skills, they may have more written work samples than other children; it just depends on the interests of the specific child. She does state, however, that the portfolio system is “a great way for me to view the areas that they are weak in and the areas that need to be strengthened”. She does occasionally allow a child choose what work goes into their portfolio, allowing the child to be an active part of the process. Self-portraits are often included as well. In her classroom, this teacher has the...
Together with the teacher and classmates, students are given the opportunity to speculate and question the world around them and the world awaiting them. Within small peer groups, for instance, students are encouraged to discuss, share, and compromise. The teacher is there to encourage this process, rather than to provide prescribed solutions. Similarly, the learning environment is collaborative and democratic, giving opportunities for all to speak their minds and receive feedback from peers as well as the teacher. This continuous loop of feedback, potentially positive or negative, serves as the means of assessment for problem-solving based instruction.
Shared Inquiry is a method of learning that lets people of all ages to explore the ideas,
There is also a need of formal cooperative learning methods in the classrooms. In my future classroom, I will make sure that students work in groups and perform better in team tasks. For example, participate in mini-lessons, share their written work and provide feedback to each other in the writer’s workshop. This helps in providing better ideas on enhancing the knowledge and proves to be better in effective writing and group works. I will also work in a team which helps
Students will maximize their learning time by staying on task and following directions, and remain seated unless instructed to do otherwise. There will always be work available for the student to complete. Opportunity for free time is nonexistent. Being patient, which is also the fourth rule, is tied in with this one. When active participation is occurring, students will wait respectively and calmly for their turn. There will not be any shouting across the classroom or disrespecting a peer’s answer choice. They all should be actively listening to one another and learning.
Disadvantages of portfolio assessment also exist: in many studies, “students found that keeping a portfolio contributed little to their self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses and, in some cases, that it even reinforced weakn...
Portfolios serve the purpose of an extensive record of a student’s best work and skills. As the student progresses through life, record keeping and reflection becomes an expectation. A résumé cannot possibly describe the entire list of qualities each individual possesses. As a result, portfolios thrive in high schools and offices alike to demonstrate a person’s capabilities in the greatest detail. Any person with a future-oriented mindset should have a portfolio to create opportunities for a successful life.
48) To get my class to meet goals that I set forth for my classes, I will need to continue to look at the data and try to incorporate the instructional practices that worked. I will use the data I received from their assessments as a tool to see if every student succeeded because of the instruction they received. I will use other, different types of instructional practices that are not convenient and will step out of my comfort zone and try new ways to get the students the information. I will start letting the students learn on their own instead of telling them the information they need; there will be more opportunities for the students to self-reflect on what they have learned and give the students a chance to display their knowledge to the class. It will take time to get the results I want and I need to be patient with the process and not give up on my plan to improve student