ESC 300 October 23, 2012

1. “One of the greatest needs of the human spirit is to be inspired, and to inspire. - Lance Secretan ESC 300 October 23, 2012

2. Why “Celebrating Difference” is not enough • What’s wrong with “taco night”? • Is “taco night” our effort to “do what we have to do to integrate multicultural education” rather than engaging in authentic anti-racism? • Do we unintentionally essentialize the lives and diverse cultures of already-oppressed groups by doing things that make dominated groups even more vulnerable? • Excellent website: www.tolerance.org

3. What comes to mind when you hear the word “assessment”? Think of your life as a STUDENT and as a PROSPECTIVE TEACHER http://www.polleverywhere.com/free_text_polls/MTEwNzU5MTY0

4. Learning to Love Assessment – Carol Ann Tomlinson • According to the article, assessment is more about guiding students than judging students. Has this been true in your experience as a student? How can this be accomplished? • As a teacher how do you see yourself accomplishing informal assessment? What is the role of informal assessment? (#3) • Try to think of an example you have seen of formative assessment. (#4 & #5). What is the role of formative assessment? • How do assessments make us better teachers? How can students help us be better at assessment? (#6, #7, #8) • How can assessments be designed to show strengths rather than emphasize weaknesses. (#9) Can you think of examples?

5. According to the article, assessment is more about GUIDING students than JUDGING students. Was this/is this true in your experience as a student? How do you think this is accomplished? • Can only be accomplished through feedback • Do we do “gotcha” teaching? • When do we forget mastery and move on?

6. 2) As a teacher, how do you see yourself accomplishing “informal assessment” (refer to understanding #3 in the article) What do you think is the place or role of informal assessment? - assessing HOW students learn, not only WHAT they learn- How do we do it? - working with students in small groups - listening - NOT carrying around a clipboard!

7. 3) Think of examples of when you have seen teachers use formative assessment. Do you feel that formative assessment has a place in assessment strategy? - formative assessment can force us to limit the amount of corrective info we give students - giving grades can interfere with students acting on feedback as to them it may signal “the end”

8. 4) How do assessments make us better teachers? How can students help us be better at assessment? (#6, #7, #8) - think about the importance of backward design. What is our GOAL? (outcome). What really matters for them to understand to accomplish this goal. - our brilliant teaching is not brilliant for all students

9. 5) How can assessments be designed to show strengths rather than emphasize weaknesses? Examples? • We cab use “positive space” to give students something to build on • If students (and parents) feel that we have “written them off”, what desire to they have to succeed?

10. Group Work Time – 20 minutes • Are you on the “finishing stages” of this project? • Do you need a final time next week? • Questions?

11. … From the Saskatchewan Bulletin (publication of the STF) , Feb. 16, 2011 • Same assignment, two grades?? • Remember the “easy marker”? Reliability and consistency are necessary for transparency • Assessment should be based on clear and visible criteria. Students AND teachers (and possibly parents?) should know what quality work looks like • What is the “halo effect”? • What is “norm referencing”?

13. Rethinking common classroom participation and assessment techniques • Dylan Wiliam • taught in private school in England as well as inner city schools in London. • Interested in innovated assessment, studied and did research in England and in the USA • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtZ1pmY0VzI&feature=related • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFqTJWz_me4&feature=related

14. Discuss: • What are the assumptions behind “hands up” and the downfalls of it (according to Wiliam, and according to you) • What are the positives and negatives of Wiliam’s approach?

15. For next class, October 30 • 1) We will be discussing some Classroom Management Scenarios. Watch for management strategies/management issues in your field experiences this week. Think about questions you have regarding managing a class. • 2) We will be discussing “Have You Googled Your Teacher Lately? Teacher’s Use of Social Networking Sites.” Although there is no reading assignment, if you read the article you will be more prepared to discuss the pros and cons of social media and teaching. We will be using a very interactive –style teaching strategy so please come with opinions and be prepared to share!!

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