This week we talked a lot about self assessment and how important it is. This week, it was my turn to lead the seminar. I actually had a lot of fun doing it! I chose a commentary by John Hattie and a blog written by Kathy Dyer for our readings. John Hattie's commentary is about "how we aren't using assessments correctly," and Kathy Dyer's blog is about how important self-assessment is. Dr. Clark said that I chose readings from two of the most important education researchers out there, and I didn't even know it until she told me! Since these readings are so informative and helpful, I want to use them as my outside research for my blog this week. I want to point out something that I think is so important that was in Kathy Dyer's blog. She wrote it based on Dylan Wiliam's book, Embedded Formative Assessment, and includes 5 strategies that should be included in formative assessment in any classroom. Numbers 3 and 5 go hand-in-hand, I think.
#3- "Providing feedback that moves learning forward"
#5- "Activating learners as owners of their learning"
I think that these go hand-in-hand because I don't think that students can self-assess until we teach them how to do that. We have to teach them how to do that by assessing them and giving them feedback, as the teacher. This aligns with Standard 6a, "The work of the teacher results in acceptable, measurable progress for students based on established performance expectations using appropriate data to demonstrate growth." It also aligns with Standard 4e, "Teachers help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills." Teachers are helping students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills when they teach their students how to self-assess.
Links for readings/outside research:
This week in 350, we participated in a simulation (we always to the coolest stuff in this class!) We chose pieces of paper, and they told us what our SES, race/ethnicity, job, etc. was like. My character was a heterosexual female refugee from Iran, who spoke little English. It was stressful trying to make decisions on what to buy when I had very little money to start out with. Thankfully, I chose to spend the money on living in a good neighborhood at the beginning of the game, so this helped my living conditions. I didn't have the right to vote, because I wasn't an American citizen. This made me feel kind of anxious every time that there was a vote, because I didn't have a say, and everyone else voted for things that would benefit them individually-- not everyone as a whole. More times than not, whatever was voted into place was something that was going to affect me in a negative way. I managed to make it to the end of the game without having "illness," but I was in quite a bit of debt. This game really opened my eyes to the fact that we don't choose which race, ethnicity, or SES that we are born in. It's really all based on luck. This is how my student's home lives will be-- I will have students from all kinds of different backgrounds and home lives. So what does this mean for my future classroom? I will embrace each child as an individual and prepare myself to teach a classroom full of diverse learners. This aligns with Standard 2c, "Teachers treat students as individuals." Also, it aligns with Standard 2b, "Teachers embrace diversity in the school community and in the world."
Megan,
ReplyDeleteWe do always do the coolest things in 350, don't we? You are right!! This simulation helped me make deeper connections as well. I love how you say you will embrace each child as an individuals. We love them as they are and grow them into the people they want to be.
In reference to 410, I completely agree. I did not realize until we did the seminar that self-assessment is so important for students. I also had not thought about the fact that students will not automatically be able to self-assess, this is a skill they need to be taught. Also, you did an amazing job leading the seminar!
ReplyDeleteIn reference to 350, I agree that it is so important to recognize the different backgrounds of the students in our class. Since most teachers come from a middle class background, we tend to forget that not all students experience the same walk of life that we have. We have to make sure we adjust our teaching for these students and meet their needs to the best of our ability.
EDUC 350:
ReplyDeleteIt is true that we always have a lot of fun in this class! That game we played was absolutely stressful. I had little money too and I felt like every decision depended on how much money we had available. It is very important to treat our students as individuals.
EDUC 410:
Self-assessment is very important so students can take charge of their learning. Of course we have to teach them how to assess themselves and starting at an early age is going to benefit them in the long run. Giving students feedback that will guide them and help them improve is vital.
I really liked the game we did in 350. It was fun making decisions and trying not to die. It did however open my eyes to a little of what actually happens in real life.
ReplyDeleteI think that getting students active in their own learning transends not only their learning in class but the rest of their lives. When we encourage students to become active participants in their learning and ask questions and self-assess they connect better to their learning. But this also continues in their life because they are learning these skills that will always applicable.
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