It is my goal to structure my instructional time efficiently to support the diverse learning, social, and emotional needs of my students. In a typical class, a learning objective would be achieved by incorporating warm-up activities, constructing new math and science concepts to build upon prior knowledge in a variety of ways, while students engage in discussions using content-specific vocabulary. Often I frame application tasks as Problem-solving tasks to encourage peer interaction, creative thinking, and setting up protocols that allow students to safely give and receive feedback honing their critical thinking skills.
By developing varied avenues for showcasing growth and mastery, Math or Science or Design IDU can empower students to demonstrate their progress in ways that resonate with their unique strengths and interests. By sharing these diverse perspectives, the whole class is enriched by fostering a deeper understanding of the subject and building empathy between peers.
I incorporate technology purposefully in my math, science, and design classes because it can serve a multifaceted role. It breaks down barriers by accommodating diverse learning styles and supporting executive functions crucial for middle school students. Technology facilitates various forms of demonstrating mastery, peer communication, and audio/visual learning, thus fostering a more inclusive culture. Simultaneously, it gathers valuable data while teaching digital responsibility, preparing students for responsible tech usage. This curated approach equips students with essential skills for the digital age, and promotes a seamless integration of technology within their daily life.
I use data to guide personalized learning paths toward my students’ individual goals. This allows me to experiment with different teaching strategies, fostering growth, and promoting alignment with students’ unique needs. Data-informed instruction can include pre-assessments and standardized tests as vital metrics but also the students own self reflections using the IB rubrics to track their progress.
Seoul, South Korea
