Assessment FOR and OF Learning

Reading the article Assessment Crisis: The Absence of Assessment FOR Learning gave me a better perspective about assessment for learning, assessment of learning, and instilled a little more hope that there is a more powerful vision of teacher/student accountability. Stiggins states, “…harm arises directly from our failure to balance our use of standardized tests and classroom assessments in the service of school improvement.” This article demonstrated the importance of balance and how it benefits the application and measurement of assessment. Having these attainable ideas and expectations allows schools to evolve past our former beliefs about high-stakes testing, our flaws about accountability, and the benefits of multiple forms of assessment.
The pressure that school districts, states, communities, and even teachers place on themselves with the expectation of accountability for student achievement, as reflected in test scores has been something that was very overwhelming to me. After looking at how Stiggins plans to create a more powerful vision I now feel that I have been more prepared for this future than I thought. For example, Stiggins makes a point that “understanding in advance of teaching the achievement targets that their students are to hit” is a way to better involve students in the assessment for learning. I feel that I am preparing myself for this by planning with the “end in mind.”
Furthermore, I was interested in the emphasis that was placed on prioritizing the accurate depiction of student achievement both of and for learning. I feel that there is a place for both formative and summative assessment. The passage about balancing assessment encouraged my beliefs and I now see a greater importance on the moment-to-moment assessments in complimenting the assessments of learning.
Overall, I feel that this article highlighted some very important elements that can improve a flawed assessment system. I feel that some of these goals are very attainable and the obstacle is having the ability to create these changes. I feel a little more hopeful about my part in assessment. Having access to these perspectives has shown me where I can improve and the issues that I need to be aware of.

The Different Styles of Learning and Thinking

According to an article called Learning and Thinking Styles, Hoagies’ Gifted Education there is a estimated 127 different factors that contribute to an individual’s learning style. This article further explains how the concept of an individual’s learning style can be misunderstood.

A learning style is a way that a person “prefers” to learn. This does not mean that an individual cannot gain knowledge through an alternate route. This idea is applied to thinking styles as well. Thinking styles consist of verbal and imagery, while learning styles are listed as audio, visual, tactile, and kinesthetic.

This article really made me look at what type of learning and thinking styles that I most prefer. I took an online learning style quiz and I found that I am very much a tactile learner. I like to learn with a “hand-on approach. With this type of learning I can easily remember how things are done, but I have difficulty remembering what I saw and heard in the process. I found this article to provide a lot of interesting information, however I enjoyed taking the online quiz more, go figure.

A Statement of Teaching

In the article How to Write a Statement of Teaching Philosophy, Gabriela Montell takes the reader through the process of finding a teaching philosophy. This is can be a difficult task for some so Motell suggests breaking the components of a teaching philosophy down. For instance, asking questions like, “What do I believe about learning” or “What don’t I like in a teacher?”

Another crucial aspect of forming a teaching philosophy is becoming educated and understanding the expectations of an institution. Elements such as, size of classroom or background of a school can impact how a teacher should operate.

Montell further emphasizes how the foundation of a teaching philosophy is a key aspect of grabbing the attention of an audience. Using empty statements that have no grounding in your teaching discipline will create a false atmosphere. Montell’s last advice is to “Just Be Yourself.”

I found this article very helpful and I really enjoyed how Montell broke it down and made writing a teaching philosophy less intimidating. Whenever I am presented with a similar question pertaining to a teaching philosophy I feel myself go into anxiety mode. Having read this has encouraged me and helped me face my fear of addressing my own teaching philosophy.

Technology and Learning

An article published by PublicTechnology.net highlighted a new study performed by Becta that revealed that technology is a key element to educational improvement. Becta, a government agency who focuses on learning through technology, found that presenting students with a higher level of technology will dramatically improve student’s performance.

The four year study called The ICT Test Bed Project was performed on 23 primary schools, five secondary schools, and three colleges. Further results showed that technology not only helped students, but teachers as well. Technology allowed for better time management, lessened work load, and allowed for students and teachers to work more closely together in setting goals and performing assessments.

This article displays some very interesting and positive results about technology in the classroom. Technology can be a very useful tool when used appropriately. As a student and as a future teacher I see where I can easily make mistakes when using technological tools. Errors such as age appropriate technology, overuse, student interactivity, and usability are all concepts that I would look at before I presented technology in my classroom. I have spent too many hours listening to a boring PowerPoint presentation, watching outdated movies, and working with challenging educational-based programs. I love technology and I believe it will only get better and better. The responsibility placed on schools and teachers is how to use it.

Additional Links:
Becta
ICT Test Bed Project

Top Worst Things?!?!

In the article Top 10 Worst Things a Teacher Can Do, author Melissa Kelly has compiled a list of mistakes that new and veteran teachers should avoid making. She advises that teachers will have a harder time controlling his/her class if two or more of these mistakes are made. Problems such as, loss of student’s respect or self-esteem are consequences of these mistakes.

After reading this article I found some of the items on the list out-dated or close-minded. I look at some of these mishaps like, “avoid smiling or being friendly to a student,” as a way to gain a students attention and respect not a way to lessen a student/teacher relationship. I would be interested to see where she came up with these "10 worst" items.

When Education Crosses the Line

The “misuse” or “offensive use” of the internet is a growing trend that has forced lawmakers to revise laws and create new ones to protect innocent people from becoming victims to internet crimes. According to an article found on MSNBC.com, students at the University of Oxford are getting a rude awakening from campus officials.

Disciplinary officials at Oxford snoop through students Facebook accounts to look for pictures or documentation of students breaking campus regulations. If officials find something incriminating they send an e-mail fine of $80 to $200 for breaking campus rules. The student union advised students with Facebook accounts to change their privacy setting to prevent staff and faculty from viewing their profiles and photographs. In response to these accusations, Alex Hill, an Oxford student rebutted against the actions of the campus officials. An e-mail stated that her photos proved “disorderly” conduct and linked to photos of Hill with shaving cream on her. She felt that it was a ridiculous reason to receive a fine and felt wrongfully accused.

This incident is difficult to categorize, but the damage that is caused by the use of the internet are apparent. I feel that there could be a possible misuse from the students end, but I feel that the way campus officials are using the internet is offensive. The degree of impact on the students is higher compared to the degree of impact on the University. A fine can be given out for just an implication or what looks to be disorderly conduct. The University is handing out fines from just what they see in a picture. This could hurt the reputation of the student and put them in financial debt because of a photo. I feel that this is an invasion of privacy and if the University feels that there is a misuse in the internet by the student they should contact the users of Facebook.

To Blog or Not to Blog

Blogging has opened many doors for teachers to disperse educational information online. Along with these opportunities arise responsibilities and consequences. Many schools have found it necessary to place ground rules for teachers and their blogging habits. In the article Blog Rules, David Warlick lists independent teacher bloggers, professional teacher bloggers, and instructional teacher bloggers as the different categories that educational bloggers fall within. The power that blogging has can be detrimental to a school and can hinder the overall mission. There is little a district can do, however there are legal ramifications that are related to blogging that teachers should be familiar with. According to Warlick, when dealing with these types of bloggers, schools should first understand what they’re communicating and set guidelines accordingly. Warlick also suggests providing teachers with specific goals for blogging to promote a positive atmosphere within the school site.

In addition, schools are not the only ones to carry the responsibility of blogging. In the article To Blog or Not to Blog, Jeanne Kimball outlines some safety tips for teachers to consider before posting children’s work or educational content. These safety tips provide beneficial information to assist those who plan to blog and give information to those who are weighing the importance of posting educational information online.

As a person who is not familiar with blogging, I have found a new appreciation for this technological tool. I feel that my profession as a teacher can be greatly enhanced by professional teacher blogging. Professional teacher blogging focuses on teacher’s abilities within a school setting or district. As a new incoming teacher I would have another resource for finding the right school for me and also have an outreach to help me with my problems I face as a teacher. Having a grade school focus I don’t really find it necessary to use other blogging categories such as, independent teacher blogging or instructional teacher blogging.