REFLECTION: LESSON PLAN IMPLEMENTING TECHNOLOGY

How did the lesson work? Is it standard based?

Study Island is an online learning program that is used school wide. The program is aligned
with the Common Core Standards. Students must graduate the 3rd grade program by the end of the
year. Each week, students are to set a goal for themselves to earn blue ribbons. Earning these
ribbons counts towards their weekly goals grade. Each classroom has a class set of Study Island
responders. The responders are handheld devices that are connected to the SmartBoard. After learning
about a concept or skill, utilizing the Study Island program, I allow my students to use the responders,
to gain a ribbon in that particular subject area. The questions are up on the SmartBoard, and each
student uses their responder to enter the correct response. Once every student enters their response,
the next question is displayed, and so on. Because the information is fresh in their brains, students
usually earn the ribbon (they receive a 70% or better). In order for students to earn their points towards
their weekly goals grade, they must earn two ribbons per week. If this ribbon is earned, they are already
at the halfway point to obtaining their Study Island weekly goal!
Did it engage your students?
My students are completely engaged and focused when they have the opportunity to use their
Study Island responders. They love using them, and compare them to a TV remote or a video game
controller. During this particular lesson, students also loved imagining themselves as babies again, so
they could get a deeper understanding of point of view. I was hesitant to do the activity at first
because I thought they would be resistant, but they were all out of their seats, crawling around the
classroom, and they absolutely loved the activity!
How would you change this lesson in the future and would you use it again?
Study Island is a school-wide used program, and it is used on a consistent basis. I will definitely
incorporate the responders into my lesson at any chance I can get. My students have used the
responders before, and the expectations for using them were set in the beginning of the year. However,
next time I incorporate them into my lesson, I will take about five minutes to review expectations and
procedures for students. I had to give two or three reminders to students who were not following the
guidelines while using the responders. I will have a plan in place so that if a student has to be reminded
after a warning, they will lose their privileges to use the responder that day. Students must remember
that they are a tool, and not a toy.
How did you assess student learning?
I assessed student learning through observing my students while they were engaged in the
baby point of view activity and through whole group class discussions. I also was able to assess their
understanding of the concept by reviewing the Study Island report to find out which students did not
earn a ribbon in that subject. This information gave me insight into which students needed more
support in the concept of point of view before the weekly assessment.