Assessment Again – Week 2

Even though the blog is labelled “week 2″… it’s really our third week together. We are talking about ASSESSMENT AGAIN. The course is about curriculum development: theory and practice yet we need to clarify what is expected, discuss what needs to be done, and establish when things are due. I appreciate the meta-conversations as we discover one of many factors that influence curriculum implementation.

What you see in the photo is the class figuring out a rubric for the 5 participation activities. The work was collaborative, exploratory, and student led. 8 groups of four challenged with what a rubric would be to assess a student’s demonstration of their understanding. Students have choice in what activity they want to be evaluated for and choice on how they facilitate the activity. What would the rubric look like?

Eight groups led to 8 different rubrics. Different sub-divisions, different criteria, and different rationales why they had constructed the rubrics they did. Furthermore, I loved the creative and collaborative aspect of producing a rubric using NON-PERMANENT VERTICAL SURFACES. I knew NPVS works in high school mathematics, why not Education 471? It worked like a charm. We saw diversity and subjectivity.

What a wonderful teaching/learning opportunity to show that something that is seemingly objective really isn’t. We also discussed Assessment AS Learning, Assessment OF Learning, and Assessment FOR Learning in the context of curriculum and student learning. This tied nicely last week’s article on curriculum theory with this week’s topic of “The Heart of a Teacher.” I love Chapter 1 by Parker Palmer.

Identity and Integrity. I am reminded why I am a teacher and why I am in education. This class is a part of me restoring my broken heart and stoking my fire for the love of teaching/learning. I also love that this class has quickly become a family… a community of learners… where we are focussed on the divergent and personalized nature of learning versus the potential narrowness of testing and grading.

THANK YOU Education 471 E200 students!!! You make me whole. I love your leadership, your thoughtfulness, and your vulnerability to ask questions, have voice, and share ideas. You have embraced the direction of this course and I look forward to what’s to come in the next few weeks. It’s been an awesome 3 weeks and I appreciate your willingness to engage in student choice and student voice. I am learning.