Teresa - I liked that you highlighted your reading of Banks. Well done. You identify the importance of assessment as a tool that should be used overtime to ensure students are on track and are understanding. Assessment does not take only one form but can take many forms. A variety is best to determine true student understanding. I like the positive role assessment plays in teaching and learning and many times we lose site of this as teachers and students. Assessments are instructional tools - as we will hopefully explore throughout this course! Negative feelings come quickly - especially if assessments are only used as a summative tool. How do we know we are on the right track if feedback is not provided before that final fateful day of a fill in the blank test at the end of a unit?
Shannon-I really liked your summary and answers about assessment in your classroom. I agree with your thoughts about the ways that assessments play a negative role in the classroom. I hate to think about teachers just teaching to the test, but I know that it happens often due to stress that they feel. It was great to read about assessment in your classroom (especially since you teach middle school and I know about is Kindergarten). I can't imagine not using different assessments. How would we get an accurate read on our students? Excellent job-5!
Leslie- I like the fact that you have developed a pattern. I have used a pattern with two different novels that my students read, and they seemed to latch onto that steady framework pretty easily. Even when we branch off into PBL, which sounds like it could be somewhat chaotic, I think that some basic set of routine or familiarity helps to focus the students. 5!
Teresa - I liked your layout for your summary of PBL. Nice. A chart provides a good design to highlight points and to help make connections. I like the ideas and examples that you added, you personalized this activity by highlighting your subject area. More meaningful...good. So, what do you think? Is this something that you would feel comfortable with? Is there a lesson that you would like to implement PBL into it? In our Understanding by Design project we will be incorporating PBL and technology as a tool. Start thinking...
Shannon-Your chart was very easy to read and understand. I especially like how you included examples from the website and used the example to help explain the different features of PBL. I can tell you have a great understanding of PBL. Excellent job-5!
Leslie- Nice use of the two-column notes! Your specific references from the articles really backed up your answers. I'm glad that you will be trying PBL in your class this semester. Hopefully we can all help each other through the setup and implementation of a good PBL unit.
- Teresa - I liked that you highlighted your reading of Banks. Well done. You identify the importance of assessment as a tool that should be used overtime to ensure students are on track and are understanding. Assessment does not take only one form but can take many forms. A variety is best to determine true student understanding. I like the positive role assessment plays in teaching and learning and many times we lose site of this as teachers and students. Assessments are instructional tools - as we will hopefully explore throughout this course! Negative feelings come quickly - especially if assessments are only used as a summative tool. How do we know we are on the right track if feedback is not provided before that final fateful day of a fill in the blank test at the end of a unit?
- Shannon-I really liked your summary and answers about assessment in your classroom. I agree with your thoughts about the ways that assessments play a negative role in the classroom. I hate to think about teachers just teaching to the test, but I know that it happens often due to stress that they feel. It was great to read about assessment in your classroom (especially since you teach middle school and I know about is Kindergarten). I can't imagine not using different assessments. How would we get an accurate read on our students? Excellent job-5!
- Leslie- I like the fact that you have developed a pattern. I have used a pattern with two different novels that my students read, and they seemed to latch onto that steady framework pretty easily. Even when we branch off into PBL, which sounds like it could be somewhat chaotic, I think that some basic set of routine or familiarity helps to focus the students. 5!
Problem-based Learning Activity