DOK-Questioning-Week Six

I recently had a guest speaker address my classes and part of her presentation included a multimedia file that integrated PowerPoint, audio, and video files. After the presentation I asked my Business Computer Application students to make observations on the strengths and weaknesses of the presentations. I could have deepened the level of questioning on this activity by not only asking students to make observations about the presentation but I could have asked them to  redesign the presentation incorporating the improvements that they have suggested. This would have allowed the students to make more meaningful connections with the presentation and also work on their creativity skills in integrating improvements to the presentation.

I may use this strategy when having the students do self-evaluations.  I might ask first for their feedback on how they could have improved their presentation and then go back and have the students implement the changes on each other's presentations.  We'll see how that works out.

Quadrant Based Learning-Week Five

The majority of the lessons presented this week in my accounting class fell into Quad C.  The students spend a good deal of time analyzing financial worksheets and breaking them down into their respective parts.  Accounting is such a linear subject that it builds upon itself.  All units start with Quad A lessons, as almost all terminology and concepts are new to the students.  Then we learn how to apply that recently acquired knowledge to existing documents moving into Quad B.  After we have mastered that concept, we move into the analyzing and breaking down of financial documents into their respective parts taking us to Quad C. Then we take source documents and create our own financial documents.

Using Apps in Class-Week Four

We have used "Fix-it Up" in class this week. It is an app that allows the students to simulate running an automotive repair shop. The kids are faced with meeting rent goals, managing the number of employees they have and ordering supplies. It really helps drive home the complexity of running a business. As far as Bloom is concerned I would place the app at the Analyzing and Applying levels. Students are applying skills they have studied in the textbook. The analyzing comes after the app when we review our actions, successes and failures. That allows students to be reflective regarding their use of the app. I have enjoyed using the app in the classroom and the kids enjoyed the change of pace.