Molly Copple

  Intersectionality: A pathway towards inclusive education? In performing additional research on the concept of Intersectionality and its impact on education, I came across an excellent article by Edvina Bešić entitled Intersectionality: A pathway towards inclusive education? (Bešić 2020). I would like to post this visual in a common space at my high school and subsequently host a professional development session to stimulate an open dialogue on this topic. Historically, research in the inclusive education context has primarily focused on the joint schooling of children with and without disabilities e.g. mainstreaming. However, these studies fail to acknowledge that inclusive education does not only refer to the inclusion of children with disabilities, but also aims to guarantee a system suitable for all learners and their unique requirements. Inclusion is interested in any type of exclusion experienced by any child, not just those children with disabilities and the ones recognize...

  (Areeb, Q.M. et al. 2023)  In the realm of modern media, the Filter Bubble theory, introduced by Eli Pariser, highlights how algorithms personalize news feeds based on user preferences, potentially creating isolated information bubbles. This theory is particularly relevant when comparing news coverage by outlets with distinct political leanings, such as CNN and MSNBC versus Fox News and Breitbart, especially on sensitive topics like the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. My personal MO is to avoid all news-related media, as I prefer to encapsulate myself in my own personal bubble that consists of my kids and reality tv. However, given the events in Butler, PA last weekend, I thought it would be very interesting to go outside of my comfort zone and consume news media from a variety of sources e.g. Fox News, Breitbart, CNN and MSNBC (all recommended by my husband). As I’ve now learned, CNN and MSNBC are categorized as left-leaning news outlets, typically approaching new...

Assessment and technology together provide endless possibilities. I think that technology has been such an asset to education. It can provide authentic assessments that are similar to real life experiences. It can allow for a more accurate measure of the student’s ability to apply knowledge in various ways. Conker AI is an example that shows that technology is such a unique way to generate exit tickets, check ins, informal assessments, and more. (Merrow, L. 2023) Digital Technology has been a game changer for the students in my program. Digital technologies are electronic tools, devices, systems, and resources which generate, store or process data. (IGI Global. 2021) Given that all of my students have disabilities that impede their learning, traditional paper and pencil tasks are not effective. The use of Digital Technology has provided them a safe and engaging approach to learning and assessment. By using cell phones and iPads, the adult learners can use the Digital Technology to help...

  Understanding Constructivism and Constructionism in Education In the ever-evolving landscape of educational theory, two concepts often emerge as foundational paradigms for understanding how individuals learn: constructivism and constructionism. Though closely related, these theories present distinct approaches to the learning process, each with its unique principles and applications. This blog post aims to elucidate the differences between constructivism and constructionism, highlighting their respective contributions to educational practice. Constructivism: Knowledge Through Experience Constructivism is a theory that posits that learners construct knowledge through their experiences and interactions with the world. Originating from the work of Jean Piaget, constructivism emphasizes the active role of the learner in the knowledge acquisition process. According to Piaget, “cognitive development occurs through a series of stages, where learners build upon their existing knowledge b...

  The Creative Commons (CC) license is a globally recognized framework that facilitates the sharing and use of creative works under specified conditions. Designed to increase access to and encourage the dissemination of creative content, CC licenses allow creators to communicate which rights they reserve and which rights they waive for the benefit of recipients or other creators. As an Adult Transition Teacher, I teach my adult learners about CC. We research various CCs and learn about the various details involved. The framework includes several types of licenses, each permitting different degrees of usage. The six main CC licenses range from the most permissive (CC BY) to the most restrictive (CC BY-NC-ND): CC BY (Attribution) : Allows others to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the work, even commercially, as long as they credit the original creation. CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike) : Similar to CC BY but requires that derivative works be licensed under identical terms. ...

  The Value of Creative Assessments in Education Creative assessments serve as a vital tool in evaluating individual creativity. Unlike traditional assessments, creative assessments encourage students to think outside the box, fostering problem-solving skills and a deeper investment in the learning process. I find that my students become invested in the process of learning and not just the outcome of the activity.   Creativity encompasses a range of cognitive abilities, Including: Divergent thinking and the ability to use creative constraint for generating new ideas Connective thinking and the concept of mash-ups Iterative thinking and the capacity for making revisions Ideation and the ability to formulate new concepts Original thinking Lateral thinking and the idea of solving problems in a slower, more indirect way Problem-solving Hands-on prototyping Communicating key ideas Empathy Inquiry and curiosity Creative risk-taking Experimentation and data gathering (Spencer, 2021) ...