Intasc Standard IV Artifact: \"Educational Software\" Intasc

INTASC Standard IV

Artifact: "Educational Software"

INTASC Standard IV: Multiple Instructional Strategies -- The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student's development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

This artifact evaluates educational software. Computer utilization is one way add instructional strategies into the classroom. In the process, it looks beyond the design of the software to consider how the software might mesh with current instructional practices. The artifact also looks at practical aspects of installation and ease of set-up for student use, factors that would influence how effectively the software can be used in the classroom. The artifact looks at a variety of reading-based software from basic phonics skills to comprehension. It includes illustrations from the software to demonstrate facets of the software. The artifact also looks at cost, an important issue in budget-strapped school systems.

By looking not only at the software but at its setting in larger curriculum issues as well, the artifact demonstrates ability to look at and analyze computer software in depth, but also to carefully consider its appropriateness within a particular classroom. Because of these facts, it is unlikely that software would be chosen that did not really support instruction and that was little more than busy work or dressed-up game-playing. This artifact reveals the necessity to embrace new ideas and fresh approaches, but to do so in a sensible way and in ways consistent with the larger educational goals. Too often education is criticized for jumping on to the bandwagon of every new idea that comes along, but this artifact reveals an ability to carefully consider supplemental activities and to choose those that will support good education.

Artifact: TEACHING METHODS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH

NTASC Standard IV: Multiple Instructional Strategies -- The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student's development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

This artifact outlines an approach for teaching middle school students. It recognizes that students at this age may vary significantly in the skills they have acquired and that if all students are to be educationally sorted, any instructional needs regarding basic skills must be included in the curriculum. The artifact advocates using a variety of instructional methods beyond lecture including group activities and kinesthetic approaches with the goal of incorporating all senses and learning styles. It advocates direct instruction through a carefully planned course of instruction. The main points of the approach outlined in this artifact includes citations justifying the approach, demonstrating careful attention to the research available on teaching methodology. It recognizes the need to modify teaching approaches based on changing needs.