My thoughts on tests as the only objective assessment of student learning

I think its dangerous to have only one method of evaluating students.  Our students often know much more then what's asked of them on an objective test.  Our society says that it values creativity and divergent thinking, why then are we locking our students into these cookie cutter, one size fits all assessments?  The American Psycological Society sites the methods in the diagram as a more accurate means to determine if a student is learning.  Now this diagarm's immediate applications deal with undergraduate psychology students, but I believe it should be used in all disciplines.

(American Psychological Association 2002)


With all of the brainpower here in our country I wondered why testmakers vary the types of assessments we administer.  I got my answer in the video link below, and I learned a new word...Psychometirics.

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2006/05/04/education/1194817099099/shortage-of-school-testing-experts.html

When we learn we learn with our whole brain. We consider things from an intelectual/factual , emotional,  visual and creative point of view.  To measure students on simply the facts is shallow and reduces the subject matter to a series of numbers and letters with no real depth.   I was asking one of my teammates about tests we use to admit students into the gifted program who do not speak English.  I was told that there is a visual test given to gifted students who have the cognitive ability, but have not mastered the language.  My point is if we already have this type of test, then why can't we create others that ask questions that address various modalities?  In my opinion we need to better qualified pshycometricians, and to attract them from the business/private sector we will have to compensate them.  This really makes me rethink all the mnemonics and songs we use to help students remember the the facts. Although fun if tests assessed on a deeper level then teacher would have to teach on a deeper level.  With that said, I will close this blog the same way I opened it with a wonderful song about the elements:

Thank you

 

My Ideas on a Technology Infused Classroom

When I think about what a classroom that is infused with technology I envision a classroom that is very busy. There are laptops on every desk, interactive whiteboards that cover several surfaces,and  manipulatives.  The students are actively working in groups and these groups maybe working on the same project, but in different places using different strategies to solve the same problem.  There are multiple delivery methods available to the learner.  The teacher after having taught a lesson, which uses technology to help deliver the information, then engages the students in practice which also utilizes technology.  Finally the teacher presents the class with a real-world problem and resources to help the class solve the problem. At this point the teacher would become the facilitator guiding students toward resources that will help them solve a problem.  I envision the projects like the one featured in the YouTube video below in which the students build both a virtual and real museum! Students here take become archaeologists, architects, and geologists and they actually build something.  As you watch the video notice how busy everyone is and also how engaged they are.

 

In terms of how a technology infused classroom might carryout drill and practice exercises or hold a discussion , I envision students using the Innovation Station clickers featured in the YouTube video below. These devices allow the teacher instantly know who understands and who needs more practice.  How might students study if they knew they would not be assigned homework if  the teacher got the appropriate feedback from the Innovation station.  Teachers would no longer have to assign homework blindly they could concentrate their efforts on help students who need remediation and accelerate those who need it.  Getting this feedback so quickly makes this possible at a much quicker rate. 

My technology-infused classroom....mmm
There are several methods I have at my disposal to ensure I have a technology-infused classroom.  First careful planning as well as backup plan will be key.  I will evaulate the needs, and skill sets of my kids and combine this knowledge with the Academic Knowledge and Skill  curriculum for our county http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/aks.nsf/aks7?OpenView&Start=1&Count=30&Expand=3.4#3.4
Second I will consider the tools I already have, the hardware my room is equiped with.  Currently in my room I have an LCD projector mounted to the ceiling and it is easily connected to the student computer station, my laptop, and VCR/DVD player.   Recently my students completed a project where they made PowerPoint presentations on Genetic disorders. My students presented their findings to the class by accessing a student shared folder where everyone saved their work.  Aside from the hardware there are a number of resources I can use. Some of the software programs that we use include the following online sites which are my favorites:

Ecology Sites
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/frogs/chain_reaction/index.cfm 
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0309/quickflicks/
http://puzzling.caret.cam.ac.uk/game.php?game=foodchain
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Life/nitrogen_cycle.html
Genetics  Sites
http://www.amnh.org/ology/?channel=genetics
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/
http://www.sonic.net/~nbs/projects/anthro201/exper/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/genome/program_adv.html

Online Text
https://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/snpapp/login/login.jsp

My Teacher page
http://gcps-terripowell.onmycalendar.com/

Of the many sites that my GCU classmates have shared this one was my favorite!
http://atlantis.crlt.indiana.edu/site/view/Educators

 The Near Future
This year at my school one of the language arts teachers wrote a grant and got 5 digital cameras for our school.  So I plan to also incorportate these when doing science fair next year.  I am going to take a picture of each project to make it easier to grade. It is so hard to grade 92 science fair projects in one day.  I would also like to assign labs students can run at home and have them use the cameras to document their findings. 

Finally I just found out in 2 years our county will open an online middle school using Elluimante as the online collaboration system. I plan to be one of the new teachers at this school. I am unsure as to all of the resources that will be available, but I know technology integration will be the connerstone of the school. 

Visual Literacy and the Internet's Impact on Teaching and Learning

• How can visual literacy and the use of the Internet impact the teaching and learning process in the classroom?
• What are some visual-thinking strategies you would like to use in your classroom?
• What role do you want the Internet to play in your classroom?

That look a teacher sees when a concept clicks in the minds of their students. It is almost like you can see the new pathway forming in their brains, that look is addictive, it is the one of the reasons I became a teacher. Visual literacy and the use of the Internet can help teachers see that look of understanding more frequently. Pictures leave a lasting impression on the learner. Even if the student does not instantly understand later when they think about the concept they have tangible picture or experience to reflect upon, and this supports learning. Without the picture or Internet experience the student can only rely on prior experience and many times students will misinterpret or concentrate on the wrong information. How many test have you gone into thinking that you were prepared and only after taking the test do you realize that you put too much effort into studying something your teacher or professor thought was a minor concept? Visuals and Internet experiences that focus on the really important concepts help students to put their effort in the right place. I see visuals and Internet experiences as mental highlighters. They get the student’s attention and without any words scream, “hey, this is important!”

Strategies Thinking Strategies

The strategy I would most like to incorporate is allowing students to make inferences about pictures.  Click on the link below.  In the video below the teacher is implementing this strategy and it is clear this is a powerful strategy that helps students think critically!

http://www.vtshome.org/pages/what-is-vts

The Internet's Role in My Classroom

The internet should reinforce what I have already taught, and it I want it to give them lab experiences that I can't (due to budget, or safety concerns). They wonder about what would happen if they change a variable in an experiment and I can tell them, but it would make a greater impact if they could see the effects. When I look at the video below I am reminded of how powerful pictures are and in the end when they are coupled with words I truely understood the images...it "clicked."



References

Aballett. (2009, February 22). Visual literacy across the curriculum. [Video file]. Video posted to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQNbAtK3c3g

 Housen, A., &  Yenawine, P. Visual Thinking Strategies. [Video file]. Video posted to  http://www.vtshome.org/pages/what-is-vts

Online teaching resources. (2008). In  (Ed.), . [Picture]. Retrieved February 2, 2011, from https://academictech.doit.wisc.edu/ORFI/otr/creating/create_content.html

Blakeslee, D. (2001). Visual Rhetoric . [Picture]. Retrieved February 2, 2011, from  http://www.public.asu.edu/~mdg42/visrhetlinks.html



My Thoughts on Instructional Strategies and Technology in the 21st Century

It is critical that appropriate instructional strategies are used by educators to ensure that every child gets an education that will prepare them for the 21^st century. There are 10 main strategies discussed in our reading they were presentations, demonstrations, cooperative learning, gaming, simulations, problem solving, discussion, drill and practice, discovery, and tutorials. It is important to use varied approaches to learning to keep the learner envolved and to address the learning styles of all students. Teachers must know their students in order to know which strategy will work best in their class. If the most suitable strategies are introduced in the right sequence then students will learn and retain the information. The challenge is that every classroom is different. There isn't one set formula to follow to guarantee learning because as every child comes to us with a myriad of different experiences and learning styles. Imagine a teacher who is blindfolded carrying a pitcher of water ready to dispense the recommended 8 ounces of water to each student. Then imagine 28 students with their different sized cups, some will need 12 oz of water, some are half full, others are bone dry, and still others have a sippy cup! Now imagine what happens when the teacher begins to pour. To help me become familar with my students at the start of the year they take a learning styles test. The data is later compiled by class period to help me address the needs of each class.

I see technology as a tool that can help teachers pull students into the curriculum. Old strategies must be seamlessly joined to technology not just because it engages students, but also because the jobs of the future will demand it. Technology has formed a network that has made the world a smaller place. In every industry employers expect potential workers to be able to communicate and to work collaboratively using media beyond text and other people. We have become a society that must be involved and engaged. We call or text in a vote to decide who we want to remain on our favorite television programs, our video games are not the passive sit and click versions of old. As I read the Jane McGeehan article I found myself comparing how the brain communicates with how our world has now communicates. Our world has begun to mimic the network in our brains. I see technology as a new neural pathway of communication that we need to use repeatedly to help students master the curriculum as well as the medium.

The role of technology is to support learning. Technology is not something that can replace the teacher, because it is not the best media to evoke emotion, which according to McGeehan is the "gatekeeper" to learning. Technology alone is not the answer to all of our educational woes. Technology must be joined to instructional strategies and as this needs to be reflected in our state and local standards. Not only must they be written into the standards, but money must be available to purchase what is needed to carry out the standards. As an educator I know if something goes wrong in the lab the chances of my getting to come back the next day are pretty slim, because every teacher in the building has a project and curriculum deadlines to adhere to. At my school it isn't about whether or not the teachers want to integrate technology, they do it is about how fast can you reserve the computer lab?

As an educator in the 21^st century I am using the strategies and integrating technology. I plan to continue to use daily essential questions and discussion topics to evoke emotional responses in my students as I teach. I will continue to design labs that require students to research and communicate their ideas using technology. What could I do better? I would like to start a Wiki. I am going to speak administration first to get permission, but as I look at my own practices I use all of the strategies, some more than others. I really liked the chart in our text that sort of diagnoses when to use a certain strategy. The art of teaching if only it was this simple!

Elements are Everywhere