Facilitate+and+Inspire+Student+Learning+and+Creativity


 * Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity**

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
 * a. || promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness. ||
 * b. || engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources. ||
 * c. || promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes. ||
 * d. || model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments. ||

//Reflection Number 1 (Presidential Database)//


 * Description:** The students are going to be taught a new skill with this project and they will hopefully learn some new information about the Presidents, too. The students work on this assignment in the computer lab for several days. In reality the students are left to their own devices and they are required to meet their deadline. I go over the framework using Microsoft Excel, showing them how to create a database format. I give them the requirements and the instruct the students to use the Internet to find the required information to place in the database. I present the students with a checklist rubric and essentially they are then to work on the project until it is completed. I roam around the room ready to provide feedback and necessary help, but they also can ask for help from their classmates, too.


 * Impact:** Really I am looking to teach my students a new skill using software many of them have rarely used before. However, the nice part about this project is my students will learn facts and information about the former and recent Presidents of the United States that they may not have had the chance to learn with the limited time and strict curriculum we must adhere to. I have a couple of aspects of the project that allows students to add their own creative flair to make their Presidential Database standout from the others.


 * Intent:** My intent with this project is to have the students learn something new about our Presidents, to learn a new skill using technology in the process, and to learn how to use Internet resources effectively. Although the web is an amazing tool it is important for the students to understand what are example of credible sources.

//Artifact Link Number 1 (Presidential Database Scoring Rubric)//

I am always surprised that most students do not really use Microsoft Excel very much. The database program Access is also available, but I have found that Excel provides a much better entry level project, than trying to use Access. In addition, my school building does not a license for Access, so it is actually unavailable for my use.

Artifact Link Number 2 (Presidential Database Example)

This is a generic look at what the database will look like at the beginning.