Probing Questions

Teacher: Judy Robinson

Interview

Overview

Principles of Learning

Information Processing

Content Standards

Tenets of Democracy

Questions

Interview: Previewing Questions

1. What kind of activities to you use to review information in your kindergarten class?

2. What types of assessment do you use in your kindergarten class?

3. What kind of technology, if any, do you use in your kindergarten classes? How does this influence the learning process?

Interview: Post-viewing Questions

1. The kindergarten students in this video draw pictures using different media. Why do you think the teacher asked them to use different media?

2. At the end of the activity featured in this video the students will have a book, a slideshow and a VHS tape as finite products. Why is it important for the class to have published materials?

3. The teacher in this video uses educational software with her students. What kind of technology do you use in your kindergarten classrooms? How do your students respond to its use?

Overview: Previewing Questions

1. If you had to teach a unit on farm animals to a kindergarten class, what kind of activities would you design?

2. What kind of prewriting activities do you use while teaching in a kindergarten class? How do your students respond to them?

3. How do you correct your kindergarten students when they make mistakes? How do you feel about corrective feedback in kindergarten classes? 

Overview: Post-viewing Questions

1. The teacher in this video writes the names of the farm animals the students came up with on a sheet of paper, next to the graphic representation of a farm. Can you think of other ways of reviewing farm animals? 

2. The students practice singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” substituting MacDonald with their teacher’s name. Why does the teacher make this adaptation to the song? Can you think of other ways of personalizing the content of a lesson?

3. The students in this video draw an animal of their choice as part of their review of farm animals. Can you think of another follow-up activities for this unit on farm animals?

Principles of  Learning: Previewing Questions

1. How do you create an enjoyable setting in a kindergarten classroom?

2. What strategies do you use to elicit participatory behavior from your kindergarten students? How do you address students who refuse to participate in the class activities?

3. How do you help you kindergarten students connect new information to previous knowledge?

Principles of  Learning: Post-viewing Questions

1. In this video the students display a positive interaction with the teacher and their 
   peers. How do you promote this type of interaction in your classroom?

2. What elements of the Principles of Learning 
   have you noticed in this video? 
   Think of ways of integrating the elements that you have not noticed.

3. How does the teacher in this video help students make connections with their previous knowledge? 
   Can you think of other ways?

Information Processing: Previewing Questions

1. How do you involve your kindergarten students in the search for new information?

2. What kind of activities do you use with your students in order to build background information?

3. How often do you use brainstorming with your kindergarten students? How do you organize the information you gather during brainstorming sessions?

Information Processing: Post-viewing Questions

1. The students in this video engage in the Interpretation stage of Information Processing by drawing animals. Can you think of other ways that could accomplish the same goal?

2. The students in this class have a very limited exposure to farm animals. How would compensate this lack of direct experience in a similar activity?

3. How does the teacher in this video organize the Communication stage of Information Processing? Can you think of other ways in which the student could communicate what they have learnt?

Content  Standards: Previewing Questions

1. Read the Performance Indicators for technology literate students. Which indicators do you see illustrated in your current kindergarten class?

2. Read the English Language Arts Standards. Which standards do you integrate more often in the design of your kindergarten activities? Explain.

3. What standards and performance indicators does your educational institution follow? Explain.

Content  Standards: Post-viewing Questions

1. The teacher in this video integrates English Language Arts Standard Number 3, which requires that students should “read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world.” How do you integrate this standard in your kindergarten class?

2. The teacher in this video integrates Technology Performance Indicator 8 for grades PreK-2, which requires students “to create developmentally appropriate multimedia products with support from teachers, family members, or student partners.” Give examples of activities from your own teaching experience that integrate this Technology Performance Indicator.

3. The teacher integrates English Language Arts Standard Number 6, which requires students “to apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and non-print texts.” Think of other kindergarten activities where you could implement this standard. 
   

Tenets of Democracy: Previewing Questions

1. How do you promote Critical Thinking in your kindergarten class?

2. Do you involve your kindergarten students in Decision Making? Give examples.

3. How do you Empower your kindergarten students? Give examples.

Tenets of Democracy: Post-viewing Questions

1. The students in this video create their own images for the slide presentation. Think of other instances that could exemplify Power Sharing.

2. How is Empowerment illustrated in this video? First check the definition of Empowerment.

3. Each of the students in this video has the chance to work on the computer and draw his or her picture. Can you think of other activities that would promote democracy in a kindergarten class?

Technology: Previewing Questions

1. What technology resources do you use in your kindergarten class?

2. How do the students in your kindergarten class feel about the use of technology in the learning process?

3. What are the benefits of using of technology in your kindergarten class?

Technology: Post-viewing Questions

1. The teacher in this video demonstrates Technology Competency Number 13 by having the students create a multimedia presentation. How does a multimedia presentation enhance student learning?

2. Read the teacher’s insights in the lesson plan about the use of technology in her kindergarten class. Did you have any insights while using technology in your own kindergarten class?

3. The teacher in this video uses educational software to help students draw animals for a slide presentation. Think of other activates for this unit that would allow students to use the computer in a meaningful way.

Teacher Knowledge : Previewing Questions

1. Knowledge of Students Characteristics is a part of Teacher Knowledge. As a teacher, how do you integrate your student characteristics in the design of learning activities?

2. Are you familiar with the Learning Style Model? How would you implement it in your kindergarten class?

3. How do you feel about learning with electronic resources? What criteria do you use in choosing these resources for your kindergarten students?

Teacher Knowledge : Post-viewing Questions

1. Read the teacher’s comments written under Student Characteristics in the lesson plan. How do they influence the teacher’s design of the lesson/unit?

2. How does the teacher in this video demonstrate In-Depth Content Knowledge? Give examples.

3. The teacher addresses her students’ Musical/Rhythmical Intelligence by prompting them to sing an adaptation of the song “Old MacDonald”. Think of other ways she could address this type of intelligence.
   

Teacher Behavior: Previewing Questions

1. What is your definition of meaningful learning? 

2. Examine the five propositions of accomplished teaching drawn of The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. What is their practical significance? 

3. How do you address Conduct Management in your kindergarten class?

Teacher Behavior: Post-viewing Questions

1. The teacher in this video praises individual students for their work. How do you give appropriate praise to your students? 

2. What Content Management skills does the teacher in this video display?

3. The teacher in this video shares with the class the finished products of the unit. How does this influence student learning?