Overview For students to be successful in the makerspace while working on collaborative projects, setting daily goals and organizing group work needs to be specific and organized. During this goal setting initiative, students will be instructed using the 3 step process outlined in the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (Wehmeyer & Palmer, 2000). Group padlets will be used to identify goals, list work steps, and reflect on progress. The padlets will be used at the beginning of each class session to acknowledge the group goal and work for the day, as well at the end of the class to reflect on the group’s progress and adjust their next goal or work steps accordingly. The padlets also contain a section for students to pose questions, and a section for teacher comments. The goal of using the padlets in conjunction with the three step process outlined in the Self- Determined Learning Model of Instruction (Wehmeyer & Palmer, 2000), is for students to have a specific project framework that supports goal setting, and identifying work steps to reach their goals. This in turn, will increase their work efforts and executive functioning skills involving self directed learning. Overall it will support a positive collaborative learning experience for the students.
A combination of direct and inquiry based instruction will be used to support student learning that is both explicit and exploratory. Direct instruction will be utilized when introducing the three step goal process, as well as modeling how to use the technology contained in a Padlet. Students will also have opportunities for inquiry based, collaborative learning while working together during this process. This initiative will take place in School X’s new makerspace, over a four week period. There will be four class sessions of 40 minutes each.
Day One:
Warm Up
Students will all bring their 1:1 Chromebooks to the Makerspace.
On the Smartboard, the Library website will be displayed.
Students will navigate to the School X Library page, which was bookmarked previously.
The teacher will model, on the Smartboard, how to scroll down the library page to the link for the Makerspace webquest, which contains the student group padlets and information on goal setting.
Students will follow the teacher to the makerspace webquest link and click on it. Students will be instructed to bookmark this page and the teacher will model this on the board.
Teacher will next show the students the How to Set Goals Page and click on it. This page will be used for the remainder of the class.
Student Self Assessment
Students will be shown on the Smartboard the link to click on for the student self assessment. Students will be asked to complete this brief assessment on their individual Chromebooks.
Instruction
The teacher will go through a brief overview of the webquest, and then using the Smartboard, show the students the group padlets.
The Padlets will contain the three sections ( Daily Goal, Steps to Reach Goal, and Reflection) outlined in the Self Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI), with the associated four question for each section that helps guide the students in this three step process.
The teacher will explain that these will be used throughout the four day collaborative project. The teacher will give a brief explanation that they are used to plan and keep projects and school work on schedule.
Predetermined groups will be assigned to the students and the students will move to the assigned area for their group. Students will still be using their Chromebooks.
In the groups, students will watch a teacher made video giving explicit instruction on the 3 steps process of goal setting and how to use a padlet. The video is located in the webquest that students have up on their Chromebooks.
After the groups have all watched the video and had a couple of minutes to discuss the content, the teacher will call attention to the Smartboard.
Question and clarification time from the students regarding the 3 step process and padlet.
Together on the Smartboard, the class will next watch the How to Use a Padlet video.
Questions and Clarification time with using a padlet.
The teacher will have a Padlet displayed with the 3 step process sections (Daily Goal, Work Steps to Reach Goal, and Reflection) on the Smartboard.
The teacher will walk the students through the first day requirement of identifying four daily goals for the project. The teacher will give a brief overview of the project highlighting main steps and requirements to complete the project (setting goals, deciding on jobs, researching, and creating).
Group Planning
Students will be asked in their collaborative group, to identify the four daily goals for the project, and decide on jobs for each team member.
First On Task Assessment
The teacher will observe and using the Collaborative Group On Task Work Behavior assessment tool, record group activity.
Instruction
Students will be asked to turn their attention to the Smartboard where the teacher will have the example Padlet on the board.
Question and Clarification time for students regarding their group’s progress in deciding on the four daily goals and jobs.
The teacher will now highlight the reflection section on the padlet. The teacher will explain that at the end of each class, the students will have a few minutes in their group to reflect on their progress, and use the four questions for this section contained in the SDLMI. Students will be asked to reflect on their work so far, and make the necessary changes if needed.
The teacher will also highlight the questions area, and teacher comments explaining that they need to check for comments at the beginning of each class for support.
Group Reflection
The collaborative groups will discuss and enter their reflections on their group padlet.
Second On Task Assessment
The teacher will observe and using the Collaborative Group On Task Work Behavior assessment tool, record group activity.
End of Class
The teacher will use the Padlet Rubric assessment tool to check the group’s progress and understanding.
Teacher will review the padlets and leave comments and suggestions for the group.
Day Two:
Warm Up
Students will all bring their 1:1 Chromebooks to the Makerspace.
Students will be asked to sit in their designated group’s location in the room.
On the Smartboard, the example Padlet will be displayed.
Students will navigate to the Makerspace Webquest page, which was bookmarked previously.
Students will then be asked to go to their group padlet and open it.
Instruction
On the smartboard, the teacher will briefly walk through the steps of the three step process, reviewing the questions to help support the steps when setting goals, identifying work steps to reach the goal, and reflecting on progress.
Question and Clarification time.
Student groups will be asked to open their Padlets and first check for teacher comments.
Students will review their Day 2 goal identified during Day 1.
The teacher than will highlight the four question on the Padlet under the Steps to Reach Your Goal Section.
The teacher will briefly talk through these questions to support the students understanding of this process.
The teacher will explain that the groups will now decide on their work steps to reach their Day 2 goal and list them in their padlet.
The teacher will explain that the groups need to show her the steps on the padlet before they can start work on their project.
Group Planning
In their collaborative groups, students will discuss and list their work steps for Day 2 on their group padlet.
Teacher approval on their work steps is necessary before they can start working on their project.
First On Task Assessment
The teacher will observe and using the Collaborative Group On Task Work Behavior assessment tool, record group activity.
Work on Collaborative Project
After the group has gained approval for the identified work steps for the day, the students will proceed to their collaborative group project.
Second On Task Assessment
The teacher will observe and using the Collaborative Group On Task Work Behavior assessment tool, record group activity.
Instruction
Students will be asked to turn their attention to the Smartboard where the teacher will have the example Padlet on the board.
Question and Clarification time for students regarding their group’s progress to meet their Day Two goal.
Group Reflection
The teacher will now highlight the reflection section on the padlet. Students will be asked to reflect on their work so far, and make the necessary changes if needed.
End of Class
The teacher will use the Padlet Rubric assessment tool to check the group’s progress and understanding.
Teacher will review the padlets and leave comments and suggestions for the group.
Day Three:
Warm Up
Students will all bring their 1:1 Chromebooks to the Makerspace.
Students will be asked to sit in their designated group’s location in the room.
On the Smartboard, the example Padlet will be displayed.
Students will then be asked to go to their group padlet and open it.
Instruction
Question and Clarification time regarding the 3 step process, or any other questions regarding project.
Student groups will be asked to open their Padlets and first check for teacher comments.
Students will review their Day 3 goal identified during Day 1.
The teacher will explain that the groups will now decide on their work steps to reach their Day 3 goal and list them in their padlet.
The teacher will explain that the groups need to show her the steps on the padlet before they can start work on their project.
Group Planning
In their collaborative groups, students will discuss and list their work steps for Day 2 on their group padlet.
Teacher approval on their work steps is necessary before they can start working on their project.
First On Task Assessment
The teacher will observe and using the Collaborative Group On Task Work Behavior assessment tool, record group activity.
Work on Collaborative Project
After the group has gained approval for the identified work steps for the day, the students will proceed to their collaborative group project.
Second On Task Assessment
The teacher will observe and using the Collaborative Group On Task Work Behavior assessment tool, record group activity.
Instruction
Students will be asked to turn their attention to the Smartboard where the teacher will have the example Padlet on the board.
Question and Clarification time for students regarding their group’s progress to meet their Day Three goal.
Group Reflection
The teacher will now highlight the reflection section on the padlet. Students will be asked to reflect on their work so far, and make the necessary changes if needed.
End of Class
The teacher will use the Padlet Rubric assessment tool to check the group’s progress and understanding.
Teacher will review the padlets and leave comments and suggestions for the group.
Day Four:
Warm Up
Students will all bring their 1:1 Chromebooks to the Makerspace.
Students will be asked to sit in their designated group’s location in the room.
On the Smartboard, the example Padlet will be displayed.
Students will then be asked to go to their group padlet and open it.
Groups will be instructed to start on the goal setting process in their padlets.
Teacher will move around the room for support.
Group Planning
In their collaborative groups, students will discuss and list their work steps for Day 4 on their group padlet.
Teacher approval on their work steps is necessary before they can start working on their project.
First On Task Assessment
The teacher will observe and using the Collaborative Group On Task Work Behavior assessment tool, record group activity.
Work on Collaborative Project
After the group has gained approval for the identified work steps for the day, the students will proceed to their collaborative group project.
Second On Task Assessment
The teacher will observe and using the Collaborative Group On Task Work Behavior assessment tool, record group activity.
Instruction
Students will be asked to turn their attention to the Smartboard where the teacher will have the example Padlet on the board.
Students will be told that their reflection today is for the whole process of setting goals and using the padlet. Groups will be asked to share their opinions on the reflection section in their group padlet.
Teacher will state that after the group has entered their comments in the reflection section they will complete the Student Self Assessment individually.
Using the Smartboard, the teacher will remind and show students where the Student Self Assessment tool is located in the webquest.
Group Reflection
Using the group padlet, students will share their opinion on the 3 steps process and using padlets during collaborative projects.
Student Self Assessment
Students will individual complete these assessment tool to track students knowledge of goal setting.
End of Class
The teacher will use the Padlet Rubric assessment tool to check the group’s progress and understanding.
Teacher will assess the data compiled from the Student Self Assessment and the On Task Behavior Assessment tools.
Meeting Diverse Needs
Student groups will be balanced by students learning styles and needs, as well as behavioral considerations. Students will be matched in groups with the goal of student’s supporting each other with their learning strengths and challenges.
3 teachers will be available and present in the makerspace during this time for additional instructional support for all learners.
Instructional materials include a handout, and instructional video. The video contains text, as well as audio and visual material to engage all students in the content. Closed captioning for the video is also available.
Padlet is a technology tool that is designed to meet diverse learning needs. Multiple ways to convey information into the padlet are available for students to use. These methods include text, audio, and video options for entering information in the padlet.
Chromebooks have a variety of built in accessibility features including:
ChromeVox- text to speech
High Contrast Mode- Change the screen’ contrast colors to support students with visual impairments. It has also been documented that changing contrast colors may help students with dyslexia.
Screen Magnifier
Read & Write extension is available on students’ Chromebooks to support students that benefit from text to speech, speech to text, and visual supports for comprehension.
Technology Resources
Students have 1:1 Chromebooks.
All students in School X have access to Google Apps for Education.
Smartboard
Teacher computer for the smartboard
Makerspace webquest
Teacher account for Padlet.
Group Padlets
Google forms for two assessment tools
Google Doc for Padlet Rubric
Access Plan
Student 1:1 Chromebooks will have built in accessibility features.
Students use Chromebooks regularly in class and will have the necessary extensions and accessibility features installed to address their individual needs.
Students will access the learning material through a makerspace webquest located on the school library website.
All material and instruction will be modeled extensively with the teacher, and also through the use of video.
Logistical Plan When relying on internet based instruction, there are always issues to consider before implementation. These are magnified when considering the age of the user and students in elementary school. Here’s a list of my considerations:
Collaborative Groups- Students will be grouped with consideration to learning styles and challenges, as well as personal dispositions.
Smartboard Malfunction- All content will be bookmarked on the students individual Chromebooks, so the teacher would still be able to walk them through the instruction, even without the use of a Smartboard.
Loss of Internet Connectivity- Curriculum Access- Copies of the instructional video, sample Padlet, and handout can be stored on a USB drive. Padlets and handouts can be printed out for the students utilize in the 3 step goal setting process.
Loss of Internet Connectivity- Assessment Tools- Copies of the assessment tools will be stored on a USB that can be printed out to be completed by hand..