Module 6 Reflection updated

Assessment…assessment…assessment…

That seems to be what I hear a lot about these days. In a traditional brick and mortar class, it seems like it would be no problem to do.  However, all of the current buzz these days is about the Common Core and how to assess these new standards.  

I am pleased to say that what I am seeing uses many of the ideas that were shown in the reading.  I was especially impressed with what I saw in the Washington State site.  I did get the feeling that California is behind though.  I say this because I just spent a couple of days doing training for the California Common Core, and how it was to be implemented in our school district.  I was pleased to see that the way testing was to be done was just like what I saw on many of the sites we visited in the readings.  At the time, it seemed really innovative.  The great thing was to see how technology could be used in formative assessment rather than traditional multiple choice.

There was a problem though.  We are expected to implement this new type of testing in the next couple of years, yet we don’t have the technology in our schoosl to do it correctly.  Once we are able to assess using iPads or tablets, that will help solve that problem.  Being able to assess with an online program will take care of that issue.  Obviously technology won’t be the issue.

The purpose of formative assessment is to allow students to have feedback quickly so they can reflect and make changes quickly. Many of the activities I looked at in this unit had many good check for understanding types of activities that I would like to use in the assessment I choose to do. What comes to mind for me was the Thomas Jefferson activity.  I enjoyed dragging the answers to the questions about Jefferson.  I loved being able to tell if I was correct immediately.  If I found value in that, I know students would as well.

I also enjoyed exploring some of the webquests from Questgarden.com. Again the built in formative assessment s were easy to follow, easy to complete, and gave immediate feedback. The drag and drop is certainly something I will try.

If I had older students, I would try some of the things we have been doing in this class such as Voicethread or a blog so students could get the feedback from their peers that is so valuable.

As for summative assessment, I think it is very important to show the students the rubric before they begin their assignment. This is perfect to do in an online class or blended class. The students will begin the assignment by knowing exactly what is expected of them, and promote self-evaluation.

My school is an open structure school, so project based learning is nothing new to us.  I think these types of activities are perfect to assess learning.  The phrase,” It’s the process not the product” is something we have been extolling for years.  I am delighted that this type of learning is again coming into vogue.