2.1

//Reflection on AASL Standard 2.1: Knowledge of learners and learning //
A deep understanding of the learner and the curriculum are essential for lesson planning. Throughout the program of study, we were offered multiple opportunities to reflect on various ways we can optimize the learner experience while maintaining focus on the desired student achievement goals. During the course of ISTC 667 (Instructional Development) we conducted a complete analysis of student need and developed a lesson plan to assist students reach those goals. We used the Pebble in the Pond model by Merrill, which taught us instruction should include levels of increasing complexity to our students to keep their skills developing. My lesson is based on of the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum goals and established specific activities for 5th grade students. I was pleased with the lesson and received positive feedback from my students when I presented it that fall. In the succeeding two years, I have learned more about my students and have been able to provide them consistent exposure to information literacy lessons. The lesson I planned for 5th grade students is now one I am comfortable providing to 3rd grade students - who have benefited from two years in my program. (I must continue to make accommodations for new students, a continuing concern as we have high student turnover rates.) More recently, two years further on in my own learning, I completed a course on information literacy and access. The lesson plan I prepared for that class illustrates the growth of both my students’ abilities as well as my skill set. This lesson, part of an integrated BlackBoard unit I taught in collaboration with the guidance counselor, enabled my students to work on immediate skills and understandings as well as establishing a platform for future growth. This self-paced program with supplemental tasks to accommodate differentiated learning abilities ensured all students were operating at their maximum level. The positive responses from faculty and students to this effort attest, in part, to its impact. It is important that we continue to assess our students’ needs, and their abilities, and modify our instruction to provide them challenging, meaningful instruction. It is important to remember as well that all instruction must be firmly grounded in the appropriate national, state and local learning objectives. I ensure that all of my instruction points back to these objectives, with the national Information Literacy Standards and Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum providing the foundation for my efforts. I developed a BlackBoard lesson based on our social studies curriculum that helps the student establish context with their learning while using the most advanced technologies.

