Reflection Notes: Is self and peer assessment a procedure you would like to apply to your classes?
As an instructor of 7 year old students, I believe in the value of assessments. I would find ways to make it work and apply it in my classroom as often as possible. I believe assessments are a fair way to gain information and to see how well students are learning.
In implementing it I would however consider the project that the assessment lends itself too. In reading the DB some food for thought was posted by several of my peers. For example, would it be a true assessment if students were friends? Would they grade higher because the feelings aspect was involved?
As far as self assessement I feel that this blog spot is a great way to asses myself. Each time I post, I think back on what I have learned and write about how I have applied it. This serves as an informative tool for the instructor to see that I am in fact learning because I discuss its relevance in my post.
In closing, I found that this week was one of great value. As a teacher I am always trying to find ways to reach and teach my students and make my instruction as meaningful as possible. Assessments are certainly one way to do it.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Glad This Week is Over
Make a note of what peer assessment concerns you might have.
This will be a quick post, as I have lost a very dear friend and assessments are the furthest thing from my mind at this time.
In any situation when your work is judged by others, there is always a concern that it may be done harshly, and unfairly. However, based on my peers in this quarter's class I have no doubt, that during the assessment of our projects this week, that all praise and criticism will be constructive and given with the intent to make the overall project better than it was. I am going to end at this time, as I need to take a few deep breaths........
Michelle
P.S. my article was posted :-)
This will be a quick post, as I have lost a very dear friend and assessments are the furthest thing from my mind at this time.
In any situation when your work is judged by others, there is always a concern that it may be done harshly, and unfairly. However, based on my peers in this quarter's class I have no doubt, that during the assessment of our projects this week, that all praise and criticism will be constructive and given with the intent to make the overall project better than it was. I am going to end at this time, as I need to take a few deep breaths........
Michelle
P.S. my article was posted :-)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Unit 7 - Reflections
What apprehension can you overcome by submitting your article for publication?
I always encounter a sense of apprehension when entereing into unchartered territory. In submitting my article accepted or not, it allows me to feel a sense of accomplishment, in creating something that was even worthy of consideration.
Often in life we hesitate to go forward, test new waters because what if we fail, or are judged too harshly. That seems to haunt me at times, this level of insecurity that prevails, when I know deep down that it shouldn't. Each goal I've reached, each milestone I've crossed has happened because I put forth the effort to make it happen.
So regardless, of the outcome the invitation to submit was one of exhiliration. In the end it jumpstarts that desire to do more, whether it's as simple as writing a letter, or as time consuming as writing and applying for the grant. It's the experience of writing and publishing that's rewarding.
I always encounter a sense of apprehension when entereing into unchartered territory. In submitting my article accepted or not, it allows me to feel a sense of accomplishment, in creating something that was even worthy of consideration.
Often in life we hesitate to go forward, test new waters because what if we fail, or are judged too harshly. That seems to haunt me at times, this level of insecurity that prevails, when I know deep down that it shouldn't. Each goal I've reached, each milestone I've crossed has happened because I put forth the effort to make it happen.
So regardless, of the outcome the invitation to submit was one of exhiliration. In the end it jumpstarts that desire to do more, whether it's as simple as writing a letter, or as time consuming as writing and applying for the grant. It's the experience of writing and publishing that's rewarding.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Unit 6 - Thank you part two
Reflecting and Saying Thank You
Unit 6 - Reflecting and saying thank you
Change - it's hard to decided what changes I would like to elicit, because at times it's difficult to introduce our own change. I would hope though that when someone suggests change it does actually improve the content of the paper/or project. I would also hope that when our final project is done its purpose to helps those who are new to teaching in the online community is realized.
I once heard that for a teacher 7 years of continuous teaching is the magic number. At 7 years you can walk into a classroom without a lesson planned, a broken copy machine, computers down and still make it through the day. Time and experience has given you that gift. For new online teachers I hope that our site will give them that gift and they won't have to wait 7 years for a sense of ease and confidence to emerge. I also hope they recognize the dedication that went in to producing the site which we continue to work on as a very cohesive group, sprinkled with some laughter too. In the end my goal is for readers to embrace and appreciate the final project!
As far as thank you's they are aimed at the group. Lisa, Lori, John ---each of you brings your energy, wit and solid work ethic to this project. I truly appreciate that. There's such a sense of team-work, if only that could transcend into my line of work at times, this seamless feeling of all for one, not me, me, me. What a grand place it would be.
Lastly, I need to thank my family for their support and patience during this 18 month journey.
Change - it's hard to decided what changes I would like to elicit, because at times it's difficult to introduce our own change. I would hope though that when someone suggests change it does actually improve the content of the paper/or project. I would also hope that when our final project is done its purpose to helps those who are new to teaching in the online community is realized.
I once heard that for a teacher 7 years of continuous teaching is the magic number. At 7 years you can walk into a classroom without a lesson planned, a broken copy machine, computers down and still make it through the day. Time and experience has given you that gift. For new online teachers I hope that our site will give them that gift and they won't have to wait 7 years for a sense of ease and confidence to emerge. I also hope they recognize the dedication that went in to producing the site which we continue to work on as a very cohesive group, sprinkled with some laughter too. In the end my goal is for readers to embrace and appreciate the final project!
As far as thank you's they are aimed at the group. Lisa, Lori, John ---each of you brings your energy, wit and solid work ethic to this project. I truly appreciate that. There's such a sense of team-work, if only that could transcend into my line of work at times, this seamless feeling of all for one, not me, me, me. What a grand place it would be.
Lastly, I need to thank my family for their support and patience during this 18 month journey.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Unit 5
What will you do to better prepare students for their team/group/partner interactions
Team work is always a hard call. It can be very difficult convincing a 7 year old why it really can be beneficial. By now they have also formed their distinct friendships and have very clear ideas about who they should be paired with. At times it works. For example today, I partnered them up to read about motion. To check for understanding they used their whiteboards and listed one important fact from each chapter. It was very clear who the assignment worked for and who it did not. Yet, I will persevere because I do see the benefits when it works.
I will continue to work on modeling group work, charting the successes, asking for their feedback, asking them to tell what their ideal group would look like. I hope that what they will remember from their experiences is that sharing ideas is a powerful tool in learning, and can make learning a lot of fun.
What will you do to better prepare students for their team/group/partner interactions
Team work is always a hard call. It can be very difficult convincing a 7 year old why it really can be beneficial. By now they have also formed their distinct friendships and have very clear ideas about who they should be paired with. At times it works. For example today, I partnered them up to read about motion. To check for understanding they used their whiteboards and listed one important fact from each chapter. It was very clear who the assignment worked for and who it did not. Yet, I will persevere because I do see the benefits when it works.
I will continue to work on modeling group work, charting the successes, asking for their feedback, asking them to tell what their ideal group would look like. I hope that what they will remember from their experiences is that sharing ideas is a powerful tool in learning, and can make learning a lot of fun.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Unit 4 - Individual and Group Reflection
I really enjoyed the readings this week, and how easily they are applicable to almost all facets of life in general. As a teacher I found Whitesel's article to be very applicable to my own classroom and even more so as I continue to work with my team for this class. To date we continue to report to each other on a regular basis and seek out ways to infuse our virtual collaboration with skills and tools that make the process feel seamless.
Individually I made the first post on what I believe our team charter and objectives should be. This was a first as I am not one to hit the ground running, I prefer to lurk as they say and see what the other's have to say. For me this was putting the whole team concept into action, I got the ball rolling so to speak and feel like I really contributed to the group effort.
This weekend since all members seem to have some disposable time, if there is such a thing I believe that we will further progress and hone our guidelines. It's a wonderful thing to be part of such a thriving process.
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