Dream IT: A Technology Based Grant Proposal for Transformative Learning
Part II: Outline the Transformation
The transformation I would like to see in my students is two-fold. I would like them to be able to understand more deeply the significance of the Civil War, particularly key battles or campaigns, though it is also possible to add other levels including an overall understanding or causes of the war. Students today have a difficult time following the decisions made during the Civil War and how they affected the ways in which battles unfolded. It’s also difficult for them to see how decisions and events in one part of the country affected what happened in other areas. In order for students to have a deeper understanding of the Civil War, they must experience it in a way that is more authentic. Not only will this lead them to being able to explain events, but also to understand perspective and empathy. The technology integration proposed here will give students the opportunity for experiential learning in ways not possible otherwise, which will ideally lead them through nearly all or all of the six facets of understanding.
The Civil War has many implications for students’ lives today. Decisions made 150 years ago have affected our nation in deep ways. It’s important for students to remember though that everyone involved in the Civil War had to possess certain skills in order to be successful. These same skills, including planning, time management, budgeting, organization, and critical thinking, are necessary in students’ lives today. Often referred to as executive functions, these are important skills for students to develop, particularly in their middle school years. Sometimes students do not see how their decisions affect their lives on a practical level. While poor planning may not have the same consequences as during the Civil War, if students can experience some of these consequences on a more practical level, I believe they will be led to deeper understanding of both the Civil War and executive functioning skills. This can happen with particular pedagogy in mind as well as well developed technology that is designed with content and pedagogy at the forefront.
Evaluation that is placed continuously throughout the unit will help the teacher see the transformation as it takes place. Specific details can be designed within the proposed technology to help facilitate this for the teacher. Assessments will be designed in such a way that students must connect to the past by displaying reasoned decisions that show adjustments in prior knowledge.
The Civil War has many implications for students’ lives today. Decisions made 150 years ago have affected our nation in deep ways. It’s important for students to remember though that everyone involved in the Civil War had to possess certain skills in order to be successful. These same skills, including planning, time management, budgeting, organization, and critical thinking, are necessary in students’ lives today. Often referred to as executive functions, these are important skills for students to develop, particularly in their middle school years. Sometimes students do not see how their decisions affect their lives on a practical level. While poor planning may not have the same consequences as during the Civil War, if students can experience some of these consequences on a more practical level, I believe they will be led to deeper understanding of both the Civil War and executive functioning skills. This can happen with particular pedagogy in mind as well as well developed technology that is designed with content and pedagogy at the forefront.
Evaluation that is placed continuously throughout the unit will help the teacher see the transformation as it takes place. Specific details can be designed within the proposed technology to help facilitate this for the teacher. Assessments will be designed in such a way that students must connect to the past by displaying reasoned decisions that show adjustments in prior knowledge.