TOOL Communicate Reflection for Capstone

       The communicate quest was informative and allowed me to explore a variety of was to stay connected with students and parents.  Of all of the quest, I enjoyed this quest the most.  I enjoyed seeing all of the different resources available for me to utilize that will make my communication more effective and engaging.
        During the first quest, Definitions of Communication, I was instructed to watch a video by Sherry Turkle's.  This video was engaging and the speaker discussed how our usage of texting and staying connected could turn into a false sense of "togetherness".  I think we the majority of people depend on the connections made through text and social media than they do the face to face interactions.  I enjoyed this speaker and I think all of us should stay digitally connected, but set limits to how we engage digitally.
          The News Quest provided me a time to think about what I am posting for my students.  I was able to reflect on my style and intention.  The news feed can be so beneficial to the students, but it can also be a distraction.  Focusing my news feed on the current topic and streamlining the news so that it is engaging and easy to follow is key.  Keeping the news, simple, interesting and informative with few distractions is the key to the news feed.  I enjoyed this quest, because it has challenged me to be conscious of what I am posting and how the news is perceived by my students.
        Rubrics are vital to student achievement.  I learned that students not only need a rubric, but it is essential to grading equality.  The rubric allows for teacher to set their standards before the assignment is started and gives them an outline in which to grade students.  It helps the teacher provide consistency when grading between students.  The rubric is also vital to students.  The rubric allows the students to look at how their assignment will be graded and gives them a way to complete the assignment with satisfactory.  I remember being in school and not having a rubric provided.  Often teachers would give and assignment or a project and the only information we had to work with was the directions, we never had a rubric.  I think a rubric gives all participants a clear standard of what is expected.
           Digital Feedback is a way for teachers to communicate what they have observed.  It gives the teacher a way to tell students why they received a grade.  It also provides a form of communication for students to know what they teachers expectations are.  Feedback allows the teacher to communicate with students and it gives the students a chance to expand on their work if it is necessary.  Feedback is also a good place for teachers to expand and provide resources for the student to continue learning.