Structured Program Assists Students in Completing Online Work
As more classrooms are becoming 1-to-1 with students and technology, two high school teachers chose to differentiate through tiering processes with the Canvas LMS system. The beginning of the year was the first time students at our school experienced Canvas LMS. The first few units were done with basic introduction to the web-based LMS and students could access classroom notes and complete some online assignments. The majority of students were having difficulty complete assignment in this new format, much preferring a more traditional means of paper-pencil assignments. In order to inspire and provide motivation for logging onto the LMS and attempting an assignment, we brainstormed on ideas that would engage students and use a popular theme that would appeal to most of our students, as well as ourselves. We selected a Star Wars theme to make the learning fun since a new motion picture was coming to theaters at semester break. We saw many students increase interest in using the LMS with a Jedi theme to hook the students. The plan soon began to unfold with flexible learning groups based around the Jedi system of knowledge progression. This system of Padawan Learner, Jedi Apprentice, Jedi Knight, and Jedi Master allowed us to implement tiering strategies to differentiate instruction. The beginning Padawan would begin with lessons to lay a foundation of conceptual understanding. The Jedi Apprentice and Jedi Knight activities would allow for instructional scaffolding as students progress. The level of Jedi Master would allow for deeper, student driven enrichment and investigation. Each unit would be approximately 10 lessons, with all students starting over at the Padawan level for the particular unit. At the start of a new unit, flexible groups would be reassigned and students would have opportunity to reach higher level than the previous unit.
Challenges or Obstacles:
- Students were given opportunity to manage their time through the two-week units. It was very evident that the majority of students had not been equipped to handle this much freedom and the responsibility of pacing themselves effectively needed assistance.
- Teachers needed to provide recommended pacing and soft deadlines for students to complete required assignments in order to possibly achieve enrichment level activities that Jedi Masters could attain.
- Students also needed additional motivation to reach for the higher level of Jedi Knight and Master. So incentive that increased overall grades percentages were added and needed to be explained in detail.
Benefits and Successes:
- The most important benefit with the Jedi Academy was the increase in student output with the new Canvas LMS. The students were very tentative with utilizing the system even after getting acquainted with its functions.
- The Jedi Academy allowed for more student control of his or her learning. The different learning tiers allowed for students to progress at a pace that kept more students engaged and assignments that are responsive to the needs of the student.
Additional Information:
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Submitted by: David Perrel and John Skipper, Anderson High School