Lauren’s EdTech Lab

     Hello Everyone,      This week, I created an infographic in Canva that focuses on Processes That Support Learning . To begin, I created a free Canva account and summarized the key ideas from the chapter, connecting them to the insights of Gura , Rivero , and the ISTE Standards . The infographic highlights how educators can support learning by giving students opportunities to be creative , imaginative , and innovative designers of their own knowledge. I really enjoyed designing the visual itself, but figuring out how to embed it into my Blogger post was definitely the hardest part. Even though it was challenging, I’m proud that I learned something new—and I hope I remember how to do it again in the future!   Your paragraph text by Lauren Thomas

Students who engage in authentic intellectual work (AIW) actively develop their understanding, engage in critical thinking, and put their newly acquired knowledge to use in practical life settings. Even without prior knowledge, they build understanding by investigating and relating concepts. They solve issues, pose queries, weigh several options, and justify their conclusions through methodical inquiry. AIW has value beyond school , as students use classroom skills in everyday life—managing money, creating schedules, writing, working with others, communicating effectively, and applying social-emotional skills. A traditional learning setting focuses on drills and memorization, while AIW emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, and connecting to everyday real-life experiences.  The three pillars of authentic intellectual work (AIW) are valuing experiences outside of the classroom, engaging in disciplined inquiry, and constructing knowledge. By actively creating understanding ...

  Hello! My name is Lauren Thomas, and I have 13 years of teaching experience, primarily in early childhood education within the Early Head Start program. In the final two years of my classroom career, I taught second and third grade in public school, with second grade holding a special place in my heart. My goal is to become an expert in my field, not just for myself, but also to help new teachers love what they do and stay in the field. My first year of teaching was very stressful. My second year, I said, "Oh goodness, I wish I knew this last year.  I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education, specializing in Curriculum and Instruction : Technology , as a full-time student. My long-term goal is to transition into the field of i nstructional design , where I can combine my classroom experience and passion for technology to create meaningful learning experiences for educators and students alike. I have chosen ISTE ,  Empowered Learner indicator 1c: ...