PART 3 of my GAME Plan

This week has been an enlightening one for me. I have enjoyed chapter 6 of the text and gained much insight from the articles and other resources. I realized that many of the formative assessments discussed I already use, I just need to refine them and use the feedback or data they provide more effectively.

I have been stuck in the mode of relying too much on forced-choice assessments to provide the data that drives the next stage of instruction. Although the forced-choice assessment software purchased by my division has maps, graphs, and visuals to accompany most questions I know that I can get more accurate feedback by redesigning some things that I already do to make assessments more diverse. A variety of assessments gives the students more opportunities to demonstrate growth and understanding in a subject.

This week I will use concept mapping software with my students so they can build on their prior knowledge and collaborate in a more authentic type of assessment. By enhancing the variety of my assessment strategies through project-based activities I will be better equipped to plan the next lesson and prepare them for the summative assessment this May. I also plan on putting more emphasis on assessment part of the performance-based assessments I already use. Activities like skits and interviews have always been a great way to engage students for me, but I can now see their value as assessment tools as well.

Continuing With My GAME Plan

This weeks resources included the reading of Chapter 5 of Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use. Chapter 5 examines the Universal design for learning or UDL. During my reading it became clear that I can improve my assessment practices by using UDL in my classroom to create flexibility in my assessment methods. I have also gained insight from the discussion board postings of colleagues in the class and have asked for more ideas from others. I have found that I am examining my practices daily and asking myself with each new idea How can I develop a flexible assessment that will allow ALL students to show their growth effectively? Table 6.1 on page117 of the text has, and will continue to serve as my guide as I continue to improve the types of assessments I choose for various learners

NETS-T goals Week 2

In order to improve the effectiveness of my own instruction I feel that I could most improve in the following NETS standards.

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to
maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:

a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

d. provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology
standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching (http://www.iste.org)

I plan on addressing "a." by learning more about the design of authentic experiences by reaching out to colleagues who have used technology to cover multiple content areas. By finding out resources that address core content areas from tose who have effecively used then I will be better equipped to practice and share theses ideas.

I would also like to address standard "d.", which I consider to be my weakest area in the NETS-T standards. I hope to evaluate and extend my learning of this area by examining research both online and in textbooks. My progress will be monitored by comparing the variety of assessments in future lesson plans with those found in plans that I am presently using. I will also be able to compare the results of my first semester assessment with those of the second semester and measure the effectiveness of each.