Lesson Planning Using Assure Model

Planning lessons for students always takes thought starting at the end result, and then proceeds backward to the beginning. This lesson plan, using a new approach which was a model never seen before required increased attention to details. It also involved using media which was unfamiliar, that being a spread sheet and the accompanying technology. The lesson was as much for the educator as it was for the intended learner.

One of the first steps was to locate the NETS*T standards, a term which was unfamiliar. A quick search found the list which enabled determination of standards applied to this lesson (ISTE,2008). Of the five standards listed, it would seem that one could be applied to the learners, and one applied to the teacher. Facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity is increased by the activity designed for the students. The collaborative assignment promotes tools and situations used in a real-world setting, and supports creative thinking to design a spread sheet using the information covered in class. The instructor for this lesson engages in professional growth and leadership by continuing to improve and model personal life-long learning, and by developing new methods or activities to challenge and lead the students.

To modify this lesson plan for students with disabilities would be to allow more time or to give individual attention to that student. The extra time provides for mental processing necessary to grasp concepts covered or for inputting information into their own charts. Peer mentoring would be another method for modifying the assignment which has a double benefit, the 'mentor' increases their own abilities and leadership skill, while at the same time the student being helped is on an equal level with the 'teacher'.

The best part of this assignment was learning how to incorporate technology into a lesson plan and searching the internet which lead to surprisingly intriguing information. Learning new techniques and immediately implementing them is a hallmark of inspired instructors. The challenge of not only learning it personally, but also setting the intention to teach it to students is an exciting venture. There is an urgency to absorb the information, practice its application, and then reorganize it as a tool to teach impressionable minds.

The least enjoyable part of this assignment was the frustration of not knowing so much at the beginning. For instance, the ASSURE model was a different approach to lesson planning. In the search, there were definitions (Perez, 2012), examples (Yates, 2007), and templates, one of which was in a Word document. As work was begun on the template, it was unclear and confusing as to why the specific gender and learning style was needed in the lesson plan. It is understandable that the reason will enhance any lesson being taught, yet not knowing the information when constructing the plan was discouraging.

Overall, it was a good experience due to the amount of new knowledge gained and the exhilaration of completion. It will be exciting to implement in the classroom with students.

Perez, B. (2012). Assure Model Lesson Plans. Retrieved from: http://www.reference.com/motif/Education/assure-model-lesson-plans

International Society for Technology in Education, (2008). Advanced digital age teaching. Retrieved from: http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers.aspx

Yates, R.,(2007). Copyright. Retrieved from: http://www.multiage-education.com/russportfolio/curriculumtopics/assurecopyrightlesson.html