Standard Two | Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge
The competent teacher has in-depth understanding of content area knowledge that includes central concepts, methods of inquiry, structures of the disciplines, and content area literacy. The teacher creates meaningful learning experiences for each student based upon interactions among content area and pedagogical knowledge, and evidence-based practice.
Artifact I
Reflection
Knowledge Indicators | The competent teacher:
knows how to access the tools and knowledge related to latest findings (e.g., research, practice, methodologies) and technologies in the disciplines.
This artifact addresses Standard Two: Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge. The use of websites like Diigo, which facilitates the sharing of resources and websites to a group, shows that my colleagues and myself are are able to "access tools and knowledge related to the latest findings" in areas Social Science as well as teaching in general. Diigo helps my colleagues and me share and compile websites and resources for future use. This helps me learn about the newest technologies and tools so that I can make my classroom the best learning environment that I possibly can provide. Use of websites such as Diigo show that I am actively working with my colleagues to gain access to the latest findings in technology, research and methodology that enable me to create differentiated and unique lessons that cater to a wide range of learners. The websites shared and compiled on these online readers are blogs and websites created for teachers with the latest technologies and resources from our discipline and the latest findings in practice for teachers as well. As teachers our growth is shown by our willingness to learn from others and the development of our creativity. Use of technology sharing websites such as Diigo show that we are actively accessing new findings and technologies to make our classrooms effective. Sources that can help Social Studies and History teachers to create interesting and content packed lessons that student's enjoy are the best part of these websites that help us keep up with the latest findings and technology and using unique, new and exciting tools in my classroom is a goal that I strive to meet to make my lesson instruction and assessments effective and accurate.
knows how to access the tools and knowledge related to latest findings (e.g., research, practice, methodologies) and technologies in the disciplines.
This artifact addresses Standard Two: Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge. The use of websites like Diigo, which facilitates the sharing of resources and websites to a group, shows that my colleagues and myself are are able to "access tools and knowledge related to the latest findings" in areas Social Science as well as teaching in general. Diigo helps my colleagues and me share and compile websites and resources for future use. This helps me learn about the newest technologies and tools so that I can make my classroom the best learning environment that I possibly can provide. Use of websites such as Diigo show that I am actively working with my colleagues to gain access to the latest findings in technology, research and methodology that enable me to create differentiated and unique lessons that cater to a wide range of learners. The websites shared and compiled on these online readers are blogs and websites created for teachers with the latest technologies and resources from our discipline and the latest findings in practice for teachers as well. As teachers our growth is shown by our willingness to learn from others and the development of our creativity. Use of technology sharing websites such as Diigo show that we are actively accessing new findings and technologies to make our classrooms effective. Sources that can help Social Studies and History teachers to create interesting and content packed lessons that student's enjoy are the best part of these websites that help us keep up with the latest findings and technology and using unique, new and exciting tools in my classroom is a goal that I strive to meet to make my lesson instruction and assessments effective and accurate.
Artifact II
Reflection
Knowledge Indicators-- The competent teacher:
understands major concepts, assumptions, debates, and principles; processes of inquiry; and theories that are central to the disciplines
This artifact addresses Standard Two: Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge. For this artifact I have used a research paper that I wrote for my capstone History class at the University of Illinois. I chose this artifact because it shows my most current historical research. This paper was developed, researched and written during a research seminar that enabled me to put into practice all the skills that I had developed during my time at the University of Illinois and it enabled me to learn new skills for research. The writing of this research paper shows that I "understand major concepts, assumptions, debates, and principles; processes of inquiry; and theories that are central to the disciplines."
Central to the discipline of History are the processes of research, the knowledge of main concepts and inquiry or questioning. Writing this paper gave me the opportunity to spend an extensive time in the Student Life Archives at UIUC researching women in the Civil Rights movement. This research led to me ask questions about the jobs of women and why the involvement of women was not publicized like the involvement of men during this time in this particular movement. Questions about the Civil Rights movement and the roles of women in the 1940s and 1950s helped me develop a research paper that gives a picture of what women were doing in the Civil Rights movement and explains their intriguing, but almost covert involvement.
Questions such as these are talked about extensively in my research paper. This manner of questioning and research shows that I understand concepts of History, that I can make connections and that I can inquire about a topic and then I can find answers. I believe qualities such as these shows growth not only as a historian, but also as a teacher. This research helped my skills in questioning and the major concepts develop and helped me to grow as an educator and will in the future help me to teach my students these skills that I have developed.
understands major concepts, assumptions, debates, and principles; processes of inquiry; and theories that are central to the disciplines
This artifact addresses Standard Two: Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge. For this artifact I have used a research paper that I wrote for my capstone History class at the University of Illinois. I chose this artifact because it shows my most current historical research. This paper was developed, researched and written during a research seminar that enabled me to put into practice all the skills that I had developed during my time at the University of Illinois and it enabled me to learn new skills for research. The writing of this research paper shows that I "understand major concepts, assumptions, debates, and principles; processes of inquiry; and theories that are central to the disciplines."
Central to the discipline of History are the processes of research, the knowledge of main concepts and inquiry or questioning. Writing this paper gave me the opportunity to spend an extensive time in the Student Life Archives at UIUC researching women in the Civil Rights movement. This research led to me ask questions about the jobs of women and why the involvement of women was not publicized like the involvement of men during this time in this particular movement. Questions about the Civil Rights movement and the roles of women in the 1940s and 1950s helped me develop a research paper that gives a picture of what women were doing in the Civil Rights movement and explains their intriguing, but almost covert involvement.
Questions such as these are talked about extensively in my research paper. This manner of questioning and research shows that I understand concepts of History, that I can make connections and that I can inquire about a topic and then I can find answers. I believe qualities such as these shows growth not only as a historian, but also as a teacher. This research helped my skills in questioning and the major concepts develop and helped me to grow as an educator and will in the future help me to teach my students these skills that I have developed.