Blogging My Journey

How do I assess student learning?

Formal Assessments: These have been done at the beginning of the year, midway, end of semester, midway and end of semester. Hopefully the students will show growth and progress in each area. The idea is if they are not showing progress then the teaching techniques should be changed.

• Progress monitoring in math using the math probes.
• Progress monitoring in reading comprehension using the Basic Reading Inventory.
• Progress monitoring using Corrective Word Sequences in writing.
• Daily Behavior Report Cards to monitor target behaviors from the Behavior Intervention Plan.

Unit Assessments:

• Projects using rubrics
• Chapter Tests
• Teacher made Tests
• Curriculum Tests

How do I involve students in the assessment process? I don't involve them that much. Once in a while I will allow them to create their own test by having each one contribute a question.

How has this unit impacted or changed my view about teaching.

• Project can be so much more individualized because of the students interests. They are more engaging and the students really like working on the computers. The quality of work I believe will improve with the project type of work. Just to get them motivated and engaged will be a plus.
  
• Using rubrics I can get the students' input and put their ideas into the assessments.
  

Blogging My Journey-March 3rd, 2009

Reflect on the activities, skills, and approaches addressed in this module.

• How can I use the Internet to support my teaching and students' learning?

I really liked the Open Mind program to help students focus on content information. I also liked the epals website that would allow students to write with other students working on the same topic.

I am leaning towards a brochure for the first student project or a creative writing story using Open Mind and then export this into PowerPoint.

• How can I ensure responsible and appropriate use of the Internet?

I can go over the rules and guidelines with the students, create a hot list for them to pull from and monitor like crazy at all times when they are on the internet.