global nature of the web have an effect on evaluation

I think that the evaluation of a course is effected by the global nature of the web.  For example, in our online courses we have many resources available to us, which provides us with more flexibility as well as wider variety of tools to utilize.  Throughout the use of these tools, we have the opportunity to extend our knowledge and understanding.  We do not use these things to evaluate our class, however, the resources that are available may make our evaluation of the course better, since we may have benefited more from the resources available.

Oldaily

In the blog post of Oldaily, http://clarkaldrich.blogspot.com/2008/04/using-assessments-to-evaluate-action.html  , he mentioned that assessing actions rather than knowledge, which I agree with.  I can see that my students know the content that I have taught when they complete performance assessments.  Then I can reteach anything that they are stuggling to complete.

Evaluation

Look at Clarence Fisher’s and Barbara Ganley’s blog for pieces on course evaluation and write it up in your blog,

As I was reviewing some of the posts of Clarence Fisher relating to evaluation, I found a post in which he discusses passing this process to the students.  In this post, entitled Giving Students the Rules, he provided examples of his new ways for his students to evaluate themselves in reading and writing every month to six weeks.  This is a great way to allow the students to be involved in this process.  He re-created his evaluations in kid friendly language, and the students must find ways in which they have met the criteria throughout the grade period.  By providing this to students at the beginning of the grading period, they can track their performance in these areas.  This would be great for middle and high school levels, however, I think some fourth and fifth grade classes may benefit from this as well.

Are our students learning

As stated in my previous post, we can analyze our students learning in various ways.  And I don’t think that distance learning and classrooms assessments are much different in this respect.  Students demonstrate learning in the same ways but through different means of communication.  Through blogs, emails, IM, etc. students and instructors communicate questions, complete assessments, provide feedback, and learn the content presented.  However, I think that sometimes the communication is slower through distance education.  For example, questions may arise as students or faculty are working on projects or assignments, and the other user (student or instructor) may not be online to answer the questions promptly.  Within the classroom, the questions and answers can be answered during class periods, or before or after class, to complete any clarifications needed.

Thinking like a learner

I think that we can assess student’s that are “thinking like a learner” in various ways.  First of all, through performance assessments, we can analyze whether or not students are understanding and expressing their knowledge of the content presented.  Another way, is through higher order of questioning.  What I mean, is that we can ask questions that require more than yes or no questions, and we can follow up with “why” questions to better understand our students knowledge.  I know that sometimes Dr. Lowell asks questions that require in depth answers, but in the end, we both are seeing the results of our learning.

Chapter 9- Kearsley

Policy

A class that I completed this summer involved a lot of time (weeks!)reviewing and trying to make sense of copyright laws.  I still find many areas a bit gray and confusing.  Anyway, throughout this chapter, Kearsley discussed ownership and that most contracts by institutions state that work created by instructors for the class belong to the institution.  Also, workloads for all were discussed along with acceptable use.  The website listed safekids.com offers a child safe google search, which I was not aware.  I am going to research this a little more, and possibly make it the homepage on my classroom computers.

Breathe

It seems that I’m very thankful that breathing comes naturally, because I wouldn’t have time to squeeze it into my schedule.  Online classes, work for the classroom, children’s activities, club and committees, doctors appts (illness in family),not to mention keeping my house, etc. going, I barely have time to sleep.  (I guess I’ll do that when I retire.lol)  I feel like everything is on a short timeline, and I’m just trying to complete things in the order in which they are due, otherwise I would be more stressed than I am right now.  I keep thinking that if I can make it through each day completing the daily to do list, then maybe tomorrow the list will be shorter.  That list does not seem to get any shorter.lol.  Just keep breathing.

Portfolio

When I attended school, the portfolios had not been introduced (thankfully).  And last year Kentucky decided to not include portfolios as a requirement for accountability.  For the portfolios, teachers would conference with students numerous hours in order to complete the portfolio pieces. 

 I think that keeping portfolio pieces from the students throughout the year, displaying their progress, would be one of the best ways to monitor student progress.  Not only teachers and parents would see the progress, but students would see their growth as a writer.

What’s happening?

Many teachers like to talk about what’s happening within their classrooms to other teachers or leaders within their schools.  However, many teachers today like to post to blogs or communities such as TappedIn to let others know about their classrooms.  I also like to communicate to parents via newsletters or emails what is going on within my classroom, so they can keep up to date on their child’s activities and lessons.  I also post to our school webpage our newsletter and upcoming events.

Clarence Fisher

After reading many blog posts by Mr. Clarence Fisher, I found so many interesting points that he has made regarding his teaching styles and what goes on in his classroom.  The post that I would like to comment about regarding students demonstrating learning is linked here.  http://www.evenfromhere.org/?p=1066 

He discussed within this blog key points or factors to get and keep students engaged within the classroom.  He also mentioned that the classroom changes yearly, which I agree, as students enter and exit, the students have changed, but so has technologies and our ways to present content and technologies to them.  Our students have more ways of communicating than ever before.

 

Off the subject, I also read a post from Mr. Fisher in which he discussed his interest in leaving his present position and moving on to teach outside of the United States.  He posted a few comments on his and his wife’s teaching experiences, as well as, what they would each like to pursue.  I think that this is an exciting and interesting way to look for positions in the educational field.  I am anxious to see what he may find, which I’m sure he’ll blog about in the future.  Very interesting.