#RuralEdChat Archive

#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).

Tuesday January 8, 2019
8:30 PM EST

  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:33 PM EST
    #RuralEdChat Also, as we get starting, take a moment to introduce yourself and your connection to education!
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 8:34 PM EST
    Huggins is in da house & now remembering to add the crucial tag - #RuralEdChat. Le sigh.
    In reply to @try_rebooting
  • robinhosemann - Moderator Jan 8 @ 8:34 PM EST
    Good evening, #RuralEdChat I'm a former classroom teacher and school library media specialist who is back in grad school for mental health counseling and working in youth programs in a public library. Happy New Year to all!
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 8:35 PM EST
    Did @tchingthemiddle join us? #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @try_rebooting, @tchingthemiddle
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 8:36 PM EST
    That's quite a combo! #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @robinhosemann
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:37 PM EST
    I'm Matt, your humble moderator for the evening. I'm a software developer by day, but volunteer as a Computer Science instructor and teacher trainer in WA. #RuralEdChat
  • robinhosemann - Moderator Jan 8 @ 8:37 PM EST
    Hey Sharon! Haha...yes. Upon rereading, I see that. It's all connected and been a great journey! #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:37 PM EST
    Not yet, at least. #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67, @tchingthemiddle
  • TG_Neil - Moderator Jan 8 @ 8:37 PM EST
    So sorry I'm late. Sometimes things just happen. #RuralEdChat
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 8:38 PM EST
    I hope she does. #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @try_rebooting, @tchingthemiddle
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:39 PM EST
    Q1 will be up in just a moment. Remember add the #RuralEdChat hashtag so we can all share in your thoughts!
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:39 PM EST
    There was a lot of interest in the topic, so I'm hoping we pick up a few people as we go #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67, @tchingthemiddle
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 8:40 PM EST
    Look #RuralEdChat. A friend was waiting for me when I got home today.
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 8:41 PM EST
    Yes, ASSESSMENTS on #RuralEdChat tonight! Diagnostic, formative, summative, & alternative.
    In reply to @try_rebooting, @tchingthemiddle
  • TG_Neil - Moderator Jan 8 @ 8:41 PM EST
    I'm super excited about this topic tonight. I definitely had an issue with my Semester exam project. #RuralEdChat
  • SJ_Grubb Jan 8 @ 8:41 PM EST
    Late, but here now! Teacher educator in north central Indiana. :) #RuralEdChat
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:42 PM EST
    Q1: Let's start with the fundamentals: what makes an assessment “successful”? #RuralEdChat
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:42 PM EST
    Welcome! Just in time for Q1 :) #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SJ_Grubb
  • TG_Neil - Moderator Jan 8 @ 8:43 PM EST
    A1: I think a successful assessment provides students the opportunity to show what they've learned in a way that's meaningful to them. More than just fill in the bubbles. #RuralEdChat
  • robinhosemann - Moderator Jan 8 @ 8:44 PM EST
    A1 I'm assessing things a little differently now in libraryland, but I'd say a successful assessment measures whatever you're targeting in learning as authentically as possible. #ruraledchat
  • blambson Jan 8 @ 8:45 PM EST
    Lurking tonight to learn about assesmet from #ruraledchat
    In reply to @SJ_Grubb, @try_rebooting
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:46 PM EST
    A1: In my view, an assessment needs to help me learn about my students knowledge and/or help my students learn about their own knowledge (or at least, their knowledge relative to my expectations of it) #RuralEdChat
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:47 PM EST
    I really really agree with the "meaningful" part. #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @TG_Neil
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 8:49 PM EST
    CanB diagnostic (looking 4 baselines & a basis 4 big pic planning) or inspecting SMART expectations 4 milestone & completion results, i.e. were expectations met or not & how do you use that data 4 mid-stream planning, resetting expectations, supporting, & motivating. #ruraledchat
    In reply to @try_rebooting
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:50 PM EST
    Q1.1: a few answers mentioned "authentic" and "meaningful" - what are the qualities of an authentic assessment? #RuralEdChat
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 8:52 PM EST
    I think this comment is a good lead in to a discussion about alternative assessments, the core philosophy of which I believe to be letting students show what they know their way. #ruraledchat
    In reply to @TG_Neil
  • SJ_Grubb Jan 8 @ 8:52 PM EST
    #RuralEdChat Thinking about how that happens in the moment of teaching w/ a well-planned question-so fluid the kids don’t even really know✨
    In reply to @SHuggins67, @try_rebooting
  • sthomaschefsky Jan 8 @ 8:55 PM EST
    watching your chat tonight #RuralEdChat
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 8:55 PM EST
    I want to share this quick brainstorm of scaffolded/alt assessments I saved from a #CSUChico class w/ #RuralEdchat. Your thoughts?
    In reply to @TG_Neil
  • robinhosemann - Moderator Jan 8 @ 8:55 PM EST
    A1.1 I guess I think back to teaching readers, and rather than looking at how much fact recall students could pull from a piece of text, I cared more about how they interacted with it through conversation, writing, annotating, responding with art, etc. #RuralEdChat
  • EduGladiators Jan 8 @ 8:56 PM EST
    🍎#EduGladiators January series: Rethinking Discipline continues SATURDAY! @teambond will be leading the convo + FREE laptop sticker giveaway during the chat! #pln365 #2PencilChat #TedEdChat #nced #fcpslearn #5thchat #K12prchat #njed #tnedchat #scichat #ruraledchat #sdedchat
  • TG_Neil - Moderator Jan 8 @ 8:56 PM EST
    A2: I think an authentic assessments provide more than just a regurgitation of the facts, but also an opportunity to apply skills to show real learning. #RuralEdChat
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:56 PM EST
    A1.1: I think authentic assessments have to involve a lot more "show" than "tell". Sometimes that's essays or projects in place of multiple choice or fill in the blank. (Though, no all projects are created equal) #RuralEdChat
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:56 PM EST
    #RuralEdChat
    • SJ_Grubb Jan 8 @ 8:55 PM EST
      Depending on goal—synthesis or application in a new situation or (if it makes sense) to an everyday situation
      In reply to @try_rebooting
  • SJ_Grubb Jan 8 @ 8:57 PM EST
    #RuralEdChat Thanks! Hit reply too soon. :)
    In reply to @try_rebooting
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 8:58 PM EST
    Working in that much "show" time involves changing how you use it - it has to be a learning opportunity for all of the students. Peer review and feedback is a classroom culture that needs to be built to be able to spend that much time on it #RuralEdChat
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 8:58 PM EST
    Do you call those CFUs? We called mid-flow checks CFUs - checks for understanding. I'm lower grade (K-3), so well-planned questions PLUS dry-erase boards are KEY. Checking for understanding along the way. Trying to be nimble & responsive. TRYING. #ruraledchat
    In reply to @SJ_Grubb, @try_rebooting
  • TG_Neil - Moderator Jan 8 @ 9:00 PM EST
    How do you support students working on an assessment project? I had several that never turned in even one part of the project. Spoke with students, parents, etc. #RuralEdChat
  • SJ_Grubb Jan 8 @ 9:00 PM EST
    I’ve called them hingepoint questions—because responses determine the next steps. #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67, @try_rebooting
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 9:01 PM EST
    & speaking of crucial well-planned Qs, what are you guys looking at when you implement your plan? What's your source of prompts for you? What do you use? Full lesson plans? Curriculum TGs? Outlines? Sticky notes? Digital? #ruraledchat
    In reply to @SJ_Grubb, @try_rebooting
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:01 PM EST
    Ha, I really like this term over CFU - I've redirected entire classes halfway through based on the answers (and non-answers) I've gotten. As it should be. #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SJ_Grubb, @SHuggins67
  • robinhosemann - Moderator Jan 8 @ 9:01 PM EST
    I dig that--hingepoints. #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SJ_Grubb, @SHuggins67, @try_rebooting
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:04 PM EST
    I typically start with a curriculum, and modify as needed from there - sometimes drastically. My classes tend to move a lot more slowly than the "suggested" pacing, especially in intro coding, since I think I often have more low/no tech students than the focus groups #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67, @SJ_Grubb
  • SJ_Grubb Jan 8 @ 9:05 PM EST
    #RuralEdChat I can’t remember the researcher I got it from. It may have been Dylan Wiliam or Jane Pollock? But aptly put!
    In reply to @SHuggins67, @try_rebooting
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:05 PM EST
    I also try to modify assessments as much as possible - I really favor projects over tests as much as I can (so much so that the advanced course I'm running this year doesn't even have tests!) #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67, @SJ_Grubb
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 9:06 PM EST
    What about rubrics or expectation standards for the projects? #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @try_rebooting, @SJ_Grubb
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:06 PM EST
    Q2: How do you motivate students to value assessment as part of the learning process? #RuralEdChat
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:09 PM EST
    I work with my other volunteer and our classroom teacher to write most of those. We start by asking a similar thing to Q1: what does success mean on this project? We lean a lot more towards approaches problem breakdown over "did the code work" 1/?#RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67, @SJ_Grubb
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 9:09 PM EST
    Gamification & growth mindset. #RuralEdChat #StudentMotivation
    In reply to @try_rebooting
  • TG_Neil - Moderator Jan 8 @ 9:09 PM EST
    A3: That's the question for me tonight. I wish they would look at the feedback I give before moving forward to the next unit. Even when I require the reflection, I don't see them really taking it in. They just seem to look for a grade. #RuralEdChat
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:10 PM EST
    For student projects, they have to write a proposal of what they're going to do, and we give feedback and can guide them to add certain features/components we think we get them to use certain concepts. 2/2 #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67, @SJ_Grubb
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:12 PM EST
    I think this can apply broadly, at least in STEM - science experiments that get them to collect specific additional data that will use a particular process. Math analysis that requires application of certain algorithms. etc. 3/3 (last one I swear) #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67, @SJ_Grubb
  • SJ_Grubb Jan 8 @ 9:13 PM EST
    #RuralEdChat Reflective low stakes writing (with feedback),that provides basis for the midterm and final. Value in hindsight for some Ss.
    In reply to @try_rebooting
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:14 PM EST
    A2 (though I think I goofed the numbering with that 1.1 question): Wherever possible, students have the chance (and usually expectation) to review my feedback, make corrections, and resubmit. I like to think it emphasizes work and improvement over 1 shot success #RuralEdChat
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 9:15 PM EST
    That is unfortunate. Feedback itself is supposed to be motivating, but it won't help if you don't take the medicine. #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @TG_Neil
  • TG_Neil - Moderator Jan 8 @ 9:16 PM EST
    Thankfully it isn't the entire class. I always seem to focus on those that aren't getting it. #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:16 PM EST
    I know some of the assessments that I did worst on as a student also were ones where I couldn't ever improve on them. The test happened, the unit was over, done until a sliver of the final. So I gave up learning that part of the material #RuralEdChat
  • robinhosemann - Moderator Jan 8 @ 9:16 PM EST
    A2 if it looks & smells like a test, it's hard for some to get motivated. If assessment is embedded in learning or takes the form of something tangible, motivation may be easier to come by.Operative word is *might.* Academic achievement is not universally motivating #RuralEdChat
  • SJ_Grubb Jan 8 @ 9:16 PM EST
    #RuralEdChat An easier path to meet the goals than to miss them—assignment that miss are redone. Let’s Ss know I see them and know they can.
    In reply to @try_rebooting
  • TG_Neil - Moderator Jan 8 @ 9:18 PM EST
    Side note: Am I the only one wiped out already this week? It seems like it should be Thursday night already. #RuralEdChat
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:18 PM EST
    Q4 (number reset!): I want to dive further into the really hard cases of Q3 - How do you address students who do not complete an assessment or respond to feedback? #RuralEdChat
  • SJ_Grubb Jan 8 @ 9:19 PM EST
    #RuralEdChat I could have sworn it was Friday! :)
    In reply to @TG_Neil
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:20 PM EST
    I think I'm better off for it overall, but I blame the half week I had last week. 2 days in feels like it should be most of the week! #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @TG_Neil
  • TG_Neil - Moderator Jan 8 @ 9:20 PM EST
    A4: I've tried to provide as many options as possible. Students can always resubmit after seeing feedback, but sometimes there is a hard deadline (like end of term/semester). #RuralEdChat
  • robinhosemann - Moderator Jan 8 @ 9:21 PM EST
    yep! Just like in real life! Sometimes things have to be in and done. #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @TG_Neil
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:22 PM EST
    A4: I do about the same. I take resubmissions, as long as the student communicates with me about it. Weeks of silence then an ask for a re-grade is often a no-go (which we repeat with every assignment) #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @TG_Neil
  • SJ_Grubb Jan 8 @ 9:23 PM EST
    A4. Dogged, unrelenting persistence? You do whatever you can for as long as you can. And you’ve planted seeds. #RuralEdChat
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 9:23 PM EST
    Trotting out mgmt theory here, Situational Leadership would suggest drilling down further, both in terms of task and assessment. Are the students able to access & process the feedback? Are they unwilling to access & process the feedback? & why? #ruraledchat
    In reply to @try_rebooting
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:24 PM EST
    A4, part 2: I also talk with those students one on one if at all possible. There's usually something going on in their life that's making their school life difficult. That often can help retarget expectations #RuralEdChat
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 9:25 PM EST
    Going big pic...do the students have motivation to improve (via feedback or not)? Are they motivated to succeed in the class & content? Are they checking off the attendance & minimum participation boxes? Do they have goal & task agreement? #ruraledchat
    In reply to @try_rebooting
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:25 PM EST
    Yes! In a couple years of helping teach, I've definitely gotten better at giving feedback, which often starts with asking some more questions #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67
  • SHuggins67 Jan 8 @ 9:27 PM EST
    As one does. #RuralEdChat Wait...which makes me think a moment here... the (K-3) kids who draw me to focus on the negatives (lack of participation, for example, behaviors) are usually the ones craving attention & control for reasons. #ruraledchat
    In reply to @TG_Neil
  • robinhosemann - Moderator Jan 8 @ 9:28 PM EST
    A4 For some humans, just showing up is a Herculean task. Compassion, understanding, and consistently showing up on our end to help them when they are ready matters. #RuralEdChat
  • TG_Neil - Moderator Jan 8 @ 9:28 PM EST
    I want to thank @try_rebooting for leading the conversation tonight on #RuralEdChat
  • robinhosemann - Moderator Jan 8 @ 9:28 PM EST
    I second that! Thank you, Matt. #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @TG_Neil, @try_rebooting
  • TG_Neil - Moderator Jan 8 @ 9:29 PM EST
    Very true. #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:29 PM EST
    I'd also ask: how much can you, as the teacher, make adjustments to your side of the equation to align goals? Obviously there's a limit, but sometimes, some changes to how students can work and demonstrate knowledge will get them much more comfortable and committed. #RuralEdChat
    In reply to @SHuggins67
  • try_rebooting Jan 8 @ 9:29 PM EST
    Thanks for joining #RuralEdChat tonight everyone! Loved the conversation :)