For a while, I have been concerned about the format in which students are assessed. Currently, each student is assessed with the same assessment. If modifications are needed, they are made. Well, my question is "why are all students taking the same assessment?". There are two answers (possibly more) to that question: 1) That is the traditional way and less work; and 2) parents expect paper and pencil assessments--they want to see the assessment.
Paper and pencil assessments may not be the most appropriate for every student. I have recently started exploring other options for assessment with my second graders. I have recorded the assessments and provided a different assessment based on the students' needs. Students are able to complete their assessment on the computer. I am also incorporating the assessments via the ActivBoard and ActivVotes (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic). This makes the assessment a little more engaging for second graders.
One of my colleagues develops and shares rubrics used to assess writing. Rubrics are shared with the students prior to the
assignment so they know the requirements. They are also able to assess
themselves. We also use a rubric to share the results of presentations made by students. Rubrics are shared with the students and parents prior to the presentation so that they know the expectation.
My goal this year is to work on developing different forms of assessment for my students. Each student has a talent/strength, and it needs to be used as part of the assessment process. For example, I have a student who is so intrigued when I am videotaping or capturing pictures. I would love to allow him to use the video camera to showcase his knowledge about a particular topic (it would serve as his assessment).
As I introduce more PBL projects to my students, I must develop rubrics to assess their artifacts/products. I am thankful for RubiStar. Off, to plan...
Your students and their parents are so lucky to have such a conscientious teacher. You seem so in tune with the needs of your students and ways to get the most out of them. Assessing to strengths such as your film/video man seems like a great idea.. not to mention how much he will enjoy it. It provoked a question, however. When it comes to assessing students, how much of it should be to their specific strengths and how much of it should be toward their weaknesses (or the designated areas of improvement)?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I think your constant mindfulness of what can benefit (even assessment techniques) your students must make a huge difference in your success with them. Keep it up.
-Aaron
Linda, I agree with you in that students have different talents and they will greatly benefit more from the differentiated assessment methods. As you mentioned, having the clear rubric is far most important. The rubric promotes student performance as well as helps teachers to evaluate students' work. Remember though that one of the reasons that we use the same assessment is to COMPARE the students' performance. Thus, I think it is important to have a balance between having individualized assessments and standardized assessments in class!
ReplyDeleteI don't know RubiStar. I'll have to check that out. Differentiated assessments are interesting to consider. Rubrics seem to be the way to go. They can be very helpful in spelling out exactly what students need to have completed. They can be a hinderance, too. I graded students' essay answers...actually graded them, with a red pen, underlining errors and misspellings. Throughout the day, I heard students say, "She READS them? Why are these marked up?" They had little experience with their errors being pointed out to them. But who can blame a teacher? The system is impossibly designed. Teachers do what they can.
ReplyDelete--Angie
Linda, you are such a good teacher. You love your kids and work so hard. How wonderful that you are so tuned into their needs! I think allowing them to showcase what they're learning based on their own strengths is a wonderful idea. I like to do this in my class--I give them a rubric of what I want them to demonstrate for me, then I allow them to choose their format. They can do a PPT/Keynote, a movie, a podcast, a written or oral report... The students really get into it when I allow them to choose their own method of presenting the information. It requires one sturdy rubric though!
ReplyDeleteAngie, you don't know Rubistar! Get thee to Googling, STAT! :)