Category: Assignments

Blog Post #1

Post 1

Hi katelyn, 

I really liked reading your reflection on confirmation bias, it’s a tricky concept to grasp at first! I totally get how it can be confusing to think that misconceptions could actually lead to better learning, but your approach of rewatching and rereading really paid off. Looking at it from the engagement perspective makes a lot of sense, and I love how you connected that to students being more aware of what’s wrong rather than just memorizing facts.

Your cognitivist teaching style sounds fantastic! Encouraging students to build on their prior knowledge and actively participate, especially through pair and share activities, is such a great way to keep learning interactive. I like how you make sure everyone’s voice is heard, even if they’re not the most outspoken. Your approach really supports deeper learning and helps students process information in a meaningful way. Great insights!

Blog 1

Hi Melody, 
I really enjoyed reading about your behaviorist approach to learning and instruction. Your emphasis on structured, goal-oriented learning makes a lot of sense, especially when working on group projects or breaking down complex topics into manageable steps. Setting clear, measurable outcomes and using pre-assessments is a great way to ensure progress and help everyone stay on track.
I also appreciate how you incorporate reinforcement, recognizing achievements and giving constructive feedback is such an effective way to keep motivation high. Your approach to gradual learning, starting with fundamentals and building confidence through practice and repetition, really highlights the strengths of behaviorism. It’s great to see how you create a structured yet supportive learning environment for yourself and others! 

Blog Post #2

POST 2

Hi Ella! 

I really enjoyed Your take on open pedagogy. It is really interesting, especially how it fosters creativity and student-driven learning. Encouraging them to explore, collaborate, and create their own challenges goes along with your idea of letting students document and share their own tree discoveries. I like the way nature journal activity brings in open pedagogy, making learning more engaging. It’s a great reminder that blending structure with exploration can create a richer, more meaningful learning experience.

Blog Post #2 – “Direct Instruction”

Hi Therese, I really like how you’ve explained direct instruction and its role in making complex topics, like Alzheimer’s disease, easier to understand. Breaking it down into stages makes learning more approachable. Using tools like Quizlet is such a smart way to keep students engaged while reinforcing key concepts. Direct instruction is great for topics that need clarity and structure, and your approach makes sure students stay on track and truly understand what they’re learning. This method feels both practical and effective, great job!

Blog Post 3:

Post 3

Hi Sashi, 
I really enjoyed reading your post! Your approach to scaffolding digital literacy challenges, especially with guides, videos, and accessibility features, is a fantastic way to ensure all learners can assess health information. Adding real-time feedback and interactive quizzes is a really smart idea allowing for learners to learn. I also loved your comparison to bus ramps as a model for universal design. Just like ramps remove physical barriers, inclusive learning should remove educational barriers from the start, making content naturally accessible for everyone. Your focus on self-paced learning and adjustable content is a great way to apply this principle. Great work:)  
Cassie

Post 3

Hi Katelyn, 
Your approach incorporates multiple modes of learning, reading, writing, discussion, and self-reflection which is amazing! You ensured that students with different learning preferences have equal access to the material, I also love how you integrated technology by providing supplementary videos and articles, allowing the learners to learn in ways that work best for them. Your flexible grading scale is another great way to reduce barriers, recognizing that learning isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Your adjustments to the jigsaw activity are fantastic, especially the idea of broadening information sources beyond text. Adding podcasts, slideshows, and transcripts makes the activity more inclusive for ESL learners and students with hearing impairments, aligning well with UDL principles. Your learning design is truly inclusive and impressive!
Cassie:)

Blog Post #4

Blog Post #4: Interaction

Hi Parmis,
Your inclusion of Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle into your interactive learning resource is really well thought out! I love how you emphasize learner-generated interaction, encouraging students to reflect and make personal connections to the material. Using a journal entry or mind map activity is such a great way to deepen learning while allowing for flexibility in expression.
Your approach to improving accessibility is also great, by providing captions, discussion boards, and audio versions helps ensure that students with different learning needs can engage with the content in meaningful ways. Amazing job overall!
Cassie:)

Post #4

Hi, I really like how your activity bridges passive learning with active application by encouraging students to analyze real-world nutrition labels. Your approach makes the content not just informative but practical and relevant, reinforcing learning through a hands-on experience. The peer comparison and justification step is a great way to encourage critical thinking and collaborative learning, making the activity even more engaging.
Your plan for scalability is also well thought out, adjusting workload based on course length and student numbers is a smart strategy. Using pre-selected nutrition labels for large classes could streamline grading while still allowing for deep learning. Amazing job at designing an interactive and meaningful learning experience!
Cassie:)

By: Cassie Hull, Abdul Samad, Marc Yeo, Zuhaib Suleman

First Impressions

Hi! To start off we just want to say great job on this resource! You guys put a lot of thought into making this an engaging, well-structured, and practical tool for educators. Differentiated instruction is such an important topic, and you’ve done a great job of breaking it down in a way that feels both accessible and applicable.

We appreciated how much emphasis you put on inclusivity, interactivity, and real-world application. Your use of case studies, discussion boards, role-playing, and collaborative lesson planning makes this more than just an informational resource, it’s something that could be used and applied to real-life situations. 

We do have a few suggestions that we think could help make the final version even stronger!

Strengths 

Clear Structure & Strong Learning Objectives

One thing we all agreed on is that your resource is very well-structured. Everything is clearly laid out, and the learning objectives are well-defined. It’s easy to see how each section builds on the last, which makes for a smooth and cohesive learning experience.

We also liked that you included constructivism as your foundational learning theory. It makes perfect sense for differentiated instruction since it’s all about active, student-centered learning.

One suggestion we had was adding a specific classroom scenario where differentiation is being applied. Maybe by adding a real-world example of how a teacher adapts a single lesson for students with different learning needs? This could possibly help emphasize the theory in practical application.

Thoughtful & Engaging Activities

The use of interactive elements is one of the biggest strengths we found in this resource. We liked how you included:

• Case studies for analyzing real differentiation strategies
• Discussion boards to encourage peer interaction
• Role-playing scenarios to simulate classroom situations
• Peer-reviewed lesson plans to promote collaboration
• Kahoot,  quizzes for quick formative assessment

These all ensure that educators actively engage with the material rather than just passively reading through it. 

The assessment plan was well designed

We also think your assessment plan is strong. The mix of reflective essays, case study analyses, peer-reviewed lesson plans, and the final portfolio ensures that educators have multiple ways to demonstrate their understanding. It’s great that you’ve included both formative and summative assessments so learners can track their growth throughout the course.

We did have one question which was how will feedback be provided for the assessments? Will there be rubrics for things like case studies and peer feedback? Having clear expectations could help ensure that the feedback is consistent and actionable.

Inclusivity and Accessibility

We appreciated how much thought you guys put into making this resource inclusive. The way you addressed  English language learners, students with disabilities, and educators from under-resourced schools is really important. Also, by providing content in multiple formats, videos, readings, and hands-on activities makes the resource more accessible for different learning styles.

Smart Use of Technology

Your technology choices make a lot of sense and were a smart decision! Using Brightspace as the main platform keeps things organized and familiar, as well as using tools like Google Docs, Canva, PowerPoint, and H5P allow for flexibility, creativity and are all user-friendly!

Some weaknesses 

More Feedback & Assessment Criteria

As we mentioned earlier, it might help to clarify how feedback will be given on assessments. Would educators receive both instructor and peer feedback? If peer feedback is a key component, will there be guidelines or a checklist to ensure feedback is constructive? By including a simple rubric for case studies, discussion boards, or lesson plans could help keep assessments consistent and clear.

More Real-World Classroom Examples

The theory behind differentiated instruction is super strong, but we’d love to see more real-world stories from teachers. Maybe by including:

• A short video or report from a teacher who has successfully used differentiation
• A detailed case study from a real classroom A discussion forum prompt where educators can share their own differentiation experiences

This could make the resource feel even more practical and inspire educators with real, proven strategies.

Checking for Mobile & Offline Accessibility

Since not all educators have consistent access to high-speed internet or a laptop, it might be worth checking if  H5P, Kahoot, and discussion boards work well on mobile? Or if these materials can be downloaded to use offline? Making sure everything is mobile-friendly and accessible offline would help ensure that no one is left out.

Adding a Self-Assessment Option

We liked how much is course focuses on reflection, It could be helpful to include a self-assessment tool at the start and end of the course. Maybe a pre-course reflection where educators rate their confidence in:

• Using differentiation strategies
• Adapting lessons for diverse learners
• Incorporating technology into differentiation

Then, at the end of the course, they could reflect on how they’ve grown. This could be a nice way to personalize the learning journey.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we were all really impressed with this resource! The structure is clear, the interactive elements make learning engaging, and the emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility is well done. With a couple of tweaks, such as clarifying feedback, adding real-world teacher examples, and ensuring mobile accessibility, this could be an even more impactful resource for educators.

It was a great interactive learning resource, and we’re looking forward to seeing the final version! 

Link to Interactive Learning Resource Project: Draft 1

Introduction to Interactive Learning in Programming

Introduction

With the use of technology increasing every year, have you ever wondered how the apps, websites, and programs that we use everyday work? This all starts with programming! Whether you have a bright idea which you want to bring to life or you just want to understand how the technology around us works, learning about programming is a great first step.

Programming is an essential skill in current times. Many of the apps and websites we use every day provide solutions to problems that once existed. One example can involve DoorDash, which provides restaurants and customers a way to interact and have food delivered. What used to be a tedious process, is now streamlined and efficient. All while creating jobs and streams of income to numerous businesses and individuals. Learning to program arms you with the tools to build such innovations.

Course Outline

This module provides an introduction to programming, emphasizing core concepts such as computation, coding syntax, and problem-solving through programming. The course is structured as follows:

1. Introduction to Programming
  – Understanding the importance of computation and programming
  – Real-world applications of programming
  – Overview of programming languages

2. Fundamental Programming Concepts
  – Variables and data types
  – Functions and their significance
  – Control structures (loops and conditionals)

3. Hands-on Coding Exercises
  – Writing basic Python programs
  – Running code and debugging errors
  – Interactive problem-solving

4. Assessments and Evaluations
  – Multiple-choice quizzes to reinforce learning
  – Algorithm design and problem-solving exercises
  – Final feedback and improvement suggestions

Target Audience

This module is designed for high school students with little to no prior knowledge of programming. It introduces fundamental programming concepts in an accessible and engaging manner, ensuring that students can grasp the basics before progressing to more advanced topics.

Inclusive Learning

Various learning styles are implemented to support learners who may face hardships with learning concepts. Visual aids such as diagrams and flowcharts to make it easier for learners to digest concepts. Lectures and discussions can also be incorporated to explain information. For Kinesthetic learners, who learn best through physical movements, hands on activities and coding exercises can be provided to engage them. Our lesson plan ensures that no additional software needs to be installed, allowing it to be more accessible to every learner.

Learning objectives

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

●  Describe the need for computation, computer programs, and programming languages.

●  Identify various real-world applications of programming.

●  Explain why computation is a useful concept.

●  Write basic code in their chosen programming language (e.g., “Hello World”)

●  Understand how programming can apply to their careers and daily lives, even outside technical fields.

Starting the lecture

Programming is the art of transforming everyday English language that describes procedures into something readable by a computer; at its core, it’s a manner of transforming data. Turning easily describable processes in English into code can often be challenging, it requires a level of precision we may not be used to and may require a different way of framing the problem. To understand this concept further please watch the following video. (What is Coding?)

Understanding Variables and Functions 

A fundamental concept in programming is the variable, a placeholder that allows us to perform procedures on some kind of “unknown.” To illustrate this, consider the rule reminiscent of something you may have seen in school: we describe a rule “add_one” as follows, for some unknown x, add_one(x) = x + 1, so no matter what x is, add_one will add one to it 

Ex. 

• add_one(x) = x + 1
• add_one(5) equals 5 + 1 = 6

Such rules are often called functions, similar to those you may have encountered in math class, and in programming, functions are often named using English words just as variables are. This simple notion has produced incredibly powerful tools in many areas of human inquiry, with the concept of variables dating back to 1500 BC and functions emerging in the 17th century. 

1. Variables – Storing Information

Consider a variable as a container in which we store data. Imagine it as a box with a label that you may use to store and retrieve information as needed. Programmers may effectively manage and alter data with the help of variables. Python assigns a variable’s type automatically based on its value, so you don’t need to explicitly define it.

2. Functions – Reusable Instructions

A function is a reusable block of code designed to perform a specific task. Programmers can define a process once and invoke it as needed thanks to functions, which eliminate the need to write the same set of instructions repeatedly. Code is more readable and effective when it is organised using functions. Functions have the ability to take parameters as inputs and return outputs. Programmers can write code that is clear, effective, and reusable with the aid of functions.

What do you think the output of this code will be?

3. Loops – Repeating Tasks

Loops allow us to repeat tasks without writing the same code multiple times. Loops assist in performing a repetitive task without having to manually input each time. In this instance It allows us to print numbers from one to 1-6.

4. Conditional Statements – Making Decisions

Conditional statements allow programs to make decisions based on given conditions. It evaluates whether a condition is true or false and executes different code accordingly. This is useful in scenarios where a program needs to take different actions depending on the input or situation. Python provides if, elif, and else statements to handle conditions.

Interactive Learning

To further understand these concepts and to develop your programming and logical skills to practice through hands-on exercises. The following exercises reinforce the concept taught in the lecture. As you move forward, you will be able to write a simple code which you can run in your browser.

(https://www.w3schools.com/python/python_syntax.asp)

Pair up with peers if you can and try solving each exercise to develop your programming knowledge and skills.

Interactive Assessment Plan

Quiz 1: Introduction to Python

​​Python Fundamentals 

Objective: This quiz is to assess and reinforce learners’ understanding of Python syntax, variables, data types, and operators.

​Format: 10 multiple-choice questions.

Quiz 2: Python Programming Constructs

Objective: This quiz aims to evaluate comprehension of loops, conditional statements, and user input handling.

Format: 10 multiple-choice questions.

Assessment 3:  Average Calculator Algorithm

Average Calculator Algorithm
Objective: Learners will design an algorithm that takes 5 different numbers as input, calculates their sum, and computes the average. The program will keep accepting inputs until 5 numbers have been inputted. The algorithm will be showcased in a flowchart and use lucidchart.com to create it.

Learners should use the following blocks to make their flowchart:

Once the learners have finished creating their flowchart, they can compare it with the correct solution here:

Feedback and Course Evaluation

To continuously improve this course we have created a structured feedback form using google forms where we can evaluate the effectiveness of the course. It will provide valuable insights from students about their learning experience, helping us identify strengths and areas for improvement. By collecting and analyzing student responses, we can refine their teaching strategies and enhance the overall learning experience.

References

Indently. (2021, May 26) Learn Python in Less than 10 minutes for Beginners (Fast & Easy) [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWjsdhR3z3c

TeXplaiNIT. (2015, November 15). What is Coding? [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7ZmPYaXoic 

W3Schools.com. (n.d.). https://www.w3schools.com/python/python_syntax.asp

Wikipedia. Variable (mathematics). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_(mathematics)

Wikipedia. Function (mathematics). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Function_(mathematics)