Pathways In the classroom

What does Pathways look like in the classroom?

• The Digital Learning Competencies (DLCs) were mentioned in the presentation.  IHow can you see integrating the DLCs into a science lesson?  Provide examples?
• There are several qualities that contribute to the digital learning competencies. These include student's choice and voice, student managed learning, digital tools, and authentic learning. These should all come into use when integrating content into interaction and learning. This can take part when teaching any subject, especially science. Science in general comes with a lot of discovery, experiment, and project-based learning. This is a great source for students to contribute their curiosity, choice, and voice to begin learning. For example find out what the students want to know about the topic or what they already know to get them and other classmates curious. Use that energy and put it into a discovery project whether that involves hands on projects, or interactive tech projects. For example, if some students have traveled to different environments in the world have them share about what they saw, how it felt, or how it was different from our environment. It gets everyone interested in experiencing that as well. It can then be an option for the whole classroom whether that be local field trip or an virtual field trip.

• How are Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Pathways different from Newton-Conover's Pathways?  Which pathway could you see using in your classroom?  Why?
• I noticed when comparing Charlotte- Mecklenburg and Newton-conover's use of pathways that Newton-conover uses more to asses students progress throughout the pathway. Whether it's the pre and post assessment or the implementation to re assess things by reviewing and going back. I feel I will use Newton's pathway style more because I would rather have a student understanding where they are on their plan than moving forward when they haven't mastered something. Everything is based on data which will do nothing but help you and the student. Also having students write the standard I think is a tool that keeps the students more accountable for their own learning. Also the pace 1/2, and must do's are a perfect variation for the differentiation every student needs. 

• In the video, Mrs. Parker explains how to use pathways.  In your opinion, what is the most important thing to include in a pathway?  Why?
• Mrs. Parker's video was very informative on what you should expect within a pathway. In my opinion the most important thing every pathway should include is not only the must do's. The different paces is a major differentiation point for where different students may be. Within that pace every task is to specifically benefit what they need. The paces are also what each student must do. Although there are a lot that students get the choice of doing there is just the right amount of structure for what students need. It allows the students to not just choose what they want to do. It allows them to choose what they want as well as complete the necessities that they need in order to grow their learning.  

• It is important for students to manage their own learning.  We can help provide these opportunities through flexible learning environments.  Flexible learning environments are more than just providing comfy couches and unique chairs.  Do some research on flexible learning environments and explain what they mean to you.
• Flexible learning environments do mean providing a comfortable environment in any way possible. Of course providing a physically comfortable environment is something huge. But another thing that I relate to after studying pathways is giving students the ability to choose. Students get a lot of comfort in knowing that they have options and choices to manage their own learning which is exactly what pathways provides. Rather than a whole class completely structure learning, at your desk learning environment all day long.