STEM/STEAM

1. Technology is a hot topic in the early childhood realm. What is the amount of screen time that a young child should be restricted too?  Why is this important information to communicate with parents?  How do you familiarize young children with technology while limiting their exposure to screen time?

 

2. Not every school or district has equal access to technology. Research and discuss the effects of the lack of available technology in schools.  How do you provide enrichment/substitutes for students? How do you communicate with parents? 

3. Discuss the steps you would need to take in order to make your practicum classroom a STEM learning environment. Support your steps with research.

4. Discuss the role of play in the STEM classroom. Support your thoughts with research.

5. STEM/STEAM Instructional Tools Chart Plan

As STEM-focused education has been initiated in schools across the United States, some educators are now promoting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics). The Arts, in this case, can refer not only to creative arts, but also English language arts, liberal arts/social studies, and physical arts/physical education. The focus is on developing the skills of creativity, critical thinking, organization, and real-world application across all content areas.

Part 1: Instructional Tools Chart

Instructional tools are very important when it comes to both engagement and to help with developmental growth. Using the “Instructional Tools Chart,” create a descriptive list of five instructional tools that you would consider using in your field experience classroom to enhance STEM/STEAM. 

Part 2: Reflection

In a 250-500 word reflection, highlight how the integration of all content areas creates a stronger foundation for learning. Briefly describe how STEM and STEAM differ from one another, and your personal stance on whether you prefer the use of STEM, STEAM, or both in K-3 education, explaining how the learning environment and individual student needs affect your choice.  Reflecting back on the previously created lesson plans you wrote for this course, how would you envision incorporating technology tools and literacy into them?

Support your findings with 2-3 scholarly resources.

Submit the Instructional Tools Chart and the reflection as one submission.

While APA style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

6. Clinical Field Experience D: Incorporating Technology

Allocate at least 5 hours in the field to support this assignment. Kindergarten

For this field experience, you will teach or assist with the lesson or activity that you and your mentor teacher planned during Topic 4.  This should be a STEM lesson or activity, preferably one that incorporates technology to either a whole classroom or to a small group of students that your mentor teacher has chosen.

When teaching your lesson remember to focus on:

· Instructional strategies

· Questioning to promote higher-order thinking

· Differentiation, including accommodations to meet the diverse needs of students

· Assessment

· Creating engagement and promoting discussion

Once you have completed delivering your lesson, discuss the successes and challenges you experienced with your mentor teacher. Ask for feedback and suggestions for future modifications.

Once you have completed your field experience, summarize and reflect upon the lesson in 250-500 words. Identify the areas that went well as well as areas to improve upon, and include the advice given to you by your mentor teacher. Discuss how you incorporated technology into the teaching or learning. If technology was not used, reflect on how you could have incorporated technology into the lesson. In addition, reflect on how this experience will affect your future professional practice.

Spend any remaining field experience hours for this topic observing and/or assisting your mentor teacher with instructional tasks in the classroom.

APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. 

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

Document the locations and hours you spend in the field on your Clinical Field Experience Verification Form.