Kevin McFarland, one of the Formative founders, here and excited to join such a great group of thought leaders! Thank you @SFecich for leading the way this week! #formativechat
A1 #formativechat As a preservice teacher, I remember being evaluated on two things, researched based practices/theories behind the lessons I constructed and verbal and written feedback on my lesson design.
HI Paige I am so glad to see you tonight! Thank you for joining us and bringing us the perspective from a preservice teacher. I can't wait to learn from you. #formativechat
A1: In my Creative Dramatics class in graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh, we were accessed in authentic ways such as acting out real world situations and thinking of how to apply it to the classroom. It made me think outside the box often. #formativechat
My name is Cody Grace and I am a student @Stockton_edu and I am studying to become a Elementary education teacher. What gets me excited for teaching is knowing that I have impacted and helped improve some child's life and knowledge. #formativechat
Hi everyone ! My name is Shannon ! I am a preservice teacher at Stockton University ! I am excited to teach and help students succeed and have fun learning ! #formativechat#GEN2108
A1 During student teaching and field work is where you get to see the theory in practice. You get to apply what you'v learned in an authentic setting. #formativechat#gccedu
Meredith joining #FormativeChat from SW Florida.
A1. One cooperating teacher worked beside me every day and the other one was absent as her husband had a heart attack so I took over
A1 #formativechat As a preservice teacher, I remember being evaluated on two things, researched based practices/theories behind the lessons I constructed and verbal and written feedback on my lesson design.
Hey there #formativechat! I’m Margaret, a tech coach and ed specialist in Northern Virginia (outside of DC). Thanks for the reminder and invite @SFecich
A1: I don’t think I was assessed in an authentic way. My college supervisor looked over my lesson plans (which were brutal) but that’s it. #formativechat
A1 cont'd Now as a professor of education I try to provide #preserviceteachers with authentic assessments through virtual co-ops and embedded fields. #formativechat#gccedu
I would like to learn as much as I can as a Preservice T. Twitter chats have been a great way for me to connect with educators and learn from them. Also, Dr. Fecich is awesome :) #formativechat
Luis from RI. I'm a HS ELL teacher, tech coach, and director. Soon to be Adjunct Professor. If you would like to contribute to a @Flipgrid topic for my new students here is the link: https://t.co/cBxCLyT2ub The topic is "How do you use technology?" #formativechat
Preservice wasn’t that long ago for me. Best assessments were on the ground lessons with Ss. I interned in a cross curricular PBL 1:1 environment. School can’t prep u for that #formativechat
I remember creating my own S.S. unit. I was able to create lessons, plan a trip, create projects as if I was going to implement it. I had fun creating my unit. #formativechat
Hey Mike! Love that you are here. Oh yes those EBP are so important we must make sure what we are doing in the classroom are peer reviewed! #formativechat
A1: The most authentic assessments came from hands on application of the material. When we were in the classroom testing the theories we learned in our classes, we could see what worked in application. #formativechat
A1: Those dreaded classroom observations, when you think/know you don't know anything... Best part was the conversation and reflection time afterwards. #formativechat
A1 I was assessed by observation. While observation is one way; it shouldn't be the only way. "Authentic ways" could be observation, student feedback, conversation w/ the T, #formativechathttps://t.co/uobdjMEOyl
#formativechat A1: Well, that was a long time ago... I do remember doing some project based work that I found valuable that was assessed. I created a poetry unit. I have actually never been able to use it in the classroom, but I remember making and I still have it.
A1: Much of me being assessed was through reflection, analyzation of lesson planning, and observation in my isolated lessons. The reflection with established professionals was invaluable. #formativechat
A1: We wrote lots of papers. As an English teacher, I love essays, but I would have liked a bit more role playing - for classroom management purposes. #formativechat
A1 As a preservice teacher a great deal of observation & feedback was incorporated in my assessment- this provide great opportunity for professional conversations #formativechat
A1: Most meaningful assessment experiences involved conversations with my evaluator during student teaching observations. To sound off about theory and praxis one of the most deep learning opportunities which I carry to this day. #formativechat
A1) I have been evaluated through the mock lessons I have had to create and also the situations the professors have placed me in to feel as if I were actually teaching a class. #formativechat
A1 This is perfect timing. I can't wait to hear all the responses since I will begin teaching a university course to middle and high school future teachers on use of technology. My experiences had few authentic assessments. Mostly memorization and regurgitation. #formativechat
A1: oh geez. That was like 20 years ago, lol! But my advisor observed me, wrote down everything I said in the class, and met with me later. Oh, and then I was pulled out of my Student teaching to cover for a tt who had lost control over class- def. authentic!! 😂 #formativechat
As a preservice teacher, I remember the most difficult challenge was to create natural critical learning environments when student teaching. Luckily, I had an observer/supervisor who valued creativity and teaching innovation. #formativechat
A1) I'm still a Preservice T, but one of the most helpful ways I have been assessed is through presentations, especially episodic ones like GCC's famous Bad Behavior day. For that, I had to present while managing behaviors that other preservice Ts were assigned. #formativechat
A1: For me authentic assessment was - did I do what was asked, how well did I do it, how could I improve upon what I'd done, & what additional supports did I need to be successful. #formativechat
A1- Little late jumping in....as a pre-service teacher...I would say I wasn't really assessed authentically...more of a jumping through hoops experience. #formativechat
Q2 Describe a project that you did that really stuck with you and impact you as a practicing teacher. If you can't recall one share your idea for an impactful project. #formativechat
This is really awesome when that level of touch during the observation can happen. It's harder to scale, but so much payoff when possible. #formativechat
Q2 Describe a project that you did that really stuck with you and impact you as a practicing teacher. If you can't recall one share your idea for an impactful project. #formativechat
Agreed. I had a couple of walk-throughs by the principal, just observations. My supervisor came in three times where we discussed my lessons. I had an absolutely cruel cooperating T so my supervisor was very empathetic #formativechat
Q2: We actually gathered work from Ss from our observations & worked through assessing writing using their work. It was as "hands on" as we could get before having a classroom of our own. To this day it has shaped how I assess & how I teach others to assess. #formativechat
#formativechat Reading about Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey & teaching my students to use that literary design to analyze literature. Created an instant feedback loop Ss could go back & compare text, film, poetry. Exposed me to form. assm't & helped me teach lit. analyis.
Q2 Describe a project that you did that really stuck with you and impact you as a practicing teacher. If you can't recall one share your idea for an impactful project. #formativechat
A2. I remember bringing in all of the supplies for the students to weave baskets as soon as they finished up their work. Man, oh man .. did they ever love doing that. Sure made the room a mess w/ water for the reeds and buckets. #formativechat
A2: I was teaching about American History and Slavery and we did a simulation of what it was like on a slave ship with space and people. Certainly put things in perspective for them. #formativechat
The first until I taught from beginning. To end was on WWII. I remember creating a timeline that that students had to fill out as we went through the unit. So basic, but at the time it was the most complex strategy I had in my toolbox. Amazing how we grow! #formativechat
A2 An impactful project that I do with Ss in tech of instruction is to pair them up with a virtual co-op for the semester. Ss work with a teacher in their field and create projects using #edtech for their classroom. Win, Win, win! #formativechat#gccedu
A2: #formativechat
Working with #girlsontherun impacted my teaching. I was involved with the group before and during my time in the classroom. This helped me think of my students as a #wholechild.
When my partner and I created a scrapbook about our field trip we took for our S.S. unit. It was fun & my creative side came out. I was able to implement strategies we're learned in class in my unit. We even taught a lesson from our unit. #formativechat
Q2 Describe a project that you did that really stuck with you and impact you as a practicing teacher. If you can't recall one share your idea for an impactful project. #formativechat
How I learned to be a T was very "old school" (21 years ago!) but I had a few profs who were innovative enough to reach outside that box. I am greatful for them every day. #formativechat
A2- My Ss last year did their Civic Project for Gov and the class as a whole ended up getting the school to switch entrances, added security measures, and enhanced efficiency in entering and leaving school. Ss were super into it. #FormativeChat
A1: I was given feedback based on observations of what they would've done in similar situations. It really highlighted other ways of teaching across a scope of experience. #formativechat
A2: Not a project, but just seeing the amount of reading and writing that Ss can do at the middle and high school levels. The quantity really made a huge difference there, and it's something I take with me into my classes. Let them read. Let them write. #formativechat
A2: National Novel Writing Month is one of my favorite projects to do with “big kids.” The feedback from kids feeling like they became “real” authors was so exciting #formativechat
A2 My supervisor and I created a literacy project entitled, "Women of Color Authors: They Opened My Mind." This was 1993 & I was at a private school. We earned the @WSRA Pat Bricker Award & was able to buy multi-cultural books for our library. Very big deal! #formativechat
A2 I have my 9th do a research project where they research a poet, analyze a poem, report on a lit criticism, then make a video sharing what they learned. My Ss said it was hard, but they knew I wouldn’t give them something they couldn’t do #formativechat
A2: I’m still a Pre -T, I’m trying to think of some impactful projects and am drawing a blank but I love hearing from all of you ! #GEN2108#formativechat
A2) My 9th grade English T had us complete a job application to learn about professionalism and how to apply writing skills in practical ways. I thought it was the coolest thing at the time, and for my first lesson plan I created a project inspired by that idea. #formativechat
A2: Had opportunity to shadow a veteran English teacher in the high school where I student taught. Had to observe and analyze his pedagogical approach and then present my observations to him. Was an awesome experience and I gained a mentor from it. #formativechat
A2: A project that stuck with me as a preservice teacher was dressing up like a fancy lady and using the costume as a way for my audience (other students) to connect to the literature. I was pre-Dave Burgess and didn’t even realize it. That was in 1993! #formativechat
A2 When I undertook studying teaching english as a 2nd lang)- I studied the plight of Vietnamese refugees coming to Australia - this had a profound effect on my way of seeing the world & understanding the story of refugees & the difficulties they face #formativechat
Q2 Describe a project that you did that really stuck with you and impact you as a practicing teacher. If you can't recall one share your idea for an impactful project. #formativechat
A3: I remember using a course book that had modern adolescent literature recommendations to choose a novel & create a unit. I actually used that unit when I first taught and pulled some terrific pieces of literature from the book. #formativechat
A2: What is one change you would like to see in your school? What can we do to change it? Have students focus on being the change they want to see around them. #formativechat
A2 -As a coop teacher (we have various levels of preservice teaching leading to a 4 month internship where I'm from) I was able to be part of a TIFA (Teacher/Intern/Faculty Advisor) project where we videoed lessons and analyzed them Great way to assess/reflect #formativechat
Q2 Describe a project that you did that really stuck with you and impact you as a practicing teacher. If you can't recall one share your idea for an impactful project. #formativechat
A2: Everyone needs to look into iSearch papers! I use them as a way to get Ss to research things they are interested in while still teaching the basics of research writing, citations, and grammar! #formativechat#isearch
A2: My Ss had to use GarageBand to create a piece of music to show their understanding of musical form. S choice was very evident and their engagement was at an all-time high. #formativechat
A2) I can not recall a project I have done so I will offer some ideas. Have lists of kids and have differences for all of them listed and as the practicing teacher you must identify seating charts, who needs more help etc like real teachers have to do. #formativechat
A2: One of the best projects I ever did was as an educational leadership student. I had to make a culturally responsive PD Plan that would help new teachers coming to my district - to teach on the Navajo Reservation. My research in preparing deepened MY knowledge! #formativechat
I’ve changed my mind! At a early childhood center I worked at the students and teachers worked on making the painting “Starry Night” out of pasta and paint ! They loved helping during choice time ! #formativechat#GEN2108
A2: I was teaching an astronomy lab and we were on a topic which I was very confident. When I arrived, I realized that I hadn't thought about one physical limitation of the lab setup. I had to try building a new experiment live and never overlooked limits again. #formativechat
I dressed up like Queen Elizabeth I to introduce her speech to the troops at Tilbury. I was preservice and not even to internship. The kids asked the CT why she didn’t do stuff like that. She gave me a bad review 😱🙄 #formativechat
A2: Another project during my student teaching: I was teaching the Diary of Anne Frank and students wrote diaries of soldiers and Jewish prisoners. I made it into a publication for the Ss and when we took it to the Holocaust Museum in Pittsburgh, they kept it. #formativechat
Good question....the school I attended was a more research and theoretical educational school...more hands on experiences and simulation of situations maybe would help? #formativechat
It was at first, but it was eye-opening too. The experience was not a terrible one at all - it was practical and I learned a lot. Everyone did. All the ed majors I have talked to have felt the same way about it. #formativechat
A2: A project that I would suggest — have preservice teachers shadow a student for an entire day. Experience what it’s like to sit in five 50-minute classes and still have 3 hours of homework. #formativechat
I dressed up like Queen Elizabeth I to introduce her speech to the troops at Tilbury. I was preservice and not even to internship. The kids asked the CT why she didn’t do stuff like that. She gave me a bad review 😱🙄 #formativechat
A2: I think it was the first lesson that I researched, planned & taught. I absolutely loved planning process and executing the plan. However, I probably missed up a 💯 times, but it was such an awesome process! #ILoveTeaching#formativechat
Q2 Describe a project that you did that really stuck with you and impact you as a practicing teacher. If you can't recall one share your idea for an impactful project. #formativechat
A2- we had to do unit. I did Dr. Seuss. My college kept it as an exemplar. It was seriously awesomely fantastically epic. I spent every waking second on it. 😬 I used a lot of it 15 years later when I taught 2nd grade for 2 yrs. Reminded me of #tlap so much. #formativechat
Yes very powerful way to get kids to buy. Add in meetings with admins to discuss ideas and actually research the topic and propose solutions...admins love hearing new viewpoints or ideas to better the school. #formativechat
A1: A quick debrief after each lesson -- sometimes even just walking down the hallway to the next class. One of the questions asked most often: "How do you think that went?" Challenged me to reflect critically on my lesson #formativechat
A2 In an Advance Spanish Grammar course I had to work with a student and analyze their linguistic strengths and weaknesses. It is so memorable because it was one of the few opportunities to work with an actual student other than student teaching. #formativechat
A3: Give them options on how they want to demonstrate understanding of a topic or piece of knowledge. Don't box them into one way or the high way. Be flexible. #formativechat
She was a veteran university professor with ton of teaching experience. Had high expectations, but I was motivated to meet them. She never derided my ideas, even though they probably wouldn’t scale for every course. Taught me that teaching is both science and art. #formativechat
I began my career teaching new arrival children & adults English - their stories changed my world & changed my outlook on life - their stories were heartbreaking #formativechat
Q3: My classroom mantra is #tryrinserepeat Everything is about trying, talking over feedback, and do-overs. The real world allows do-overs. So should our classrooms! #formativechat
A3: We have unstructured play every afternoon and it’s a great time for me to do in the moment assessment about my kids using skills in real life ways #formativechat
A2) I had my scholars take instrumentals and create songs to demonstrate their learning in my math class. They had to present in front of their classmates and eventually, the school. I still have the videos. #formativechat
A2 We were struggling to really understands scale models so we designed and built a castle from 8 refrigerator boxes using box rivets. Then we invited preK and K Ss to decorate and play in there. We understood our scale models after that!! #formativechathttps://t.co/MMaY6OV84U
A3 My advice to be to really think about the purpose of the assignment. How does it relate to the 4Cs? ISTE standards? state standards...#formativechat#gccedu
A2: Want to do an awareness week on #fluency by telling Ss to #putalinethrough their written work rather than erasing or using corrector fluid. Want to develop reflective skills in writing and encourage a culture where we can show mistakes and continue to grow #formativechat
A3 #formativechat All assessment at the college level should be applicable to the field. I assess students based on application of content to their specialization. To me (@RachelTurneystl) college is about focused application.
A3- Advice...find ways to connect classroom material to the outside world and the future for students. Don't just be content gate keepers and we learn this because I say so type of teachers. #formativechat
A3: preservice teachers need as much nurturing as you can provide. Co-teaching, modeling effective lessons, and an opportunity to reflect and collaborate are a perfect start. #formativechat
A3 real world applications of topics. Make connections. Doing Shakespeare? Ditch the test and have them put it into their own teen terms. Essays? Engaging topics. Solve problems. #formativechat
A3: In #GEN2108 we have been learning to use Flipgrid to assess students understanding of materials! I can’t wait to read everyone else’s response! #formativechat
A3: I find allowing students choice on how they show learning improves engagement and the overall mood of a classroom. Does it really matter how they show their learning, if they are showing their learning in a way that makes sense to them? #flexible#formativechat
A3: I try to access teachers in authentic ways that show what they’ve learned in their own way through voice and choice. I also like to see how Ts learn the information, but then takes what they’ve learned in exciting new ways. #formativechat
A3) Since I do not yet give assessments to students. me being a pre-service teacher would try to use a more hands on type of assessment but I would also love to hear more ideas from all of you. #formativechat
I provide my students with a choice board of different ways they can demonstrate their learning. Each activity has a rubric attached of the requirements. Advice: know your Ss and the kind of learners they are and adapt accordingly #formativechat
Q3: New Ts - Authentic assessment is also about authentic feedback & authentic feelings. It's not about checking off the boxes. Look more into what's IN those boxes! #formativechat
Failure is where growth is born. If you felt like you never messed up, you probably wouldn't have improved. Awesome to hear when it's instilled in the process! #formativechat
A2) During one of my math classes I worked in unison with my literacy partner for #BlackHistoryMonth. Scholars had to:
a) choose a prominent African-American
b) draw a picture to scale
c) research and write a report
d) share their learning with their peers.
#formativechat
A3: As a CS teacher, I'm able to assess Ss in many ways - they build products + display mastery in their programming, but also in both written + oral pres. of their work. The key to authentic assess. is giving Ss a variety of ways to show/apply what they know. #formativechat
Was part of my teaching portfolio. Gave me a chance to observe and listen, while still applying the pedagogical theories I was learning. Best part was having to meet weekly with the veteran teacher and just talk about effective teaching praxis. #formativechat
A3 authentic assessment depends on the feedback and how students use it to improve. There are tons of opportunities to assess during the learning. Don’t wait till the end!#formativechat
A2: I remember doing action research in my ed year. I can't remember what I researched, but I remember enjoying and finding useful following/tracking how I was doing something over a period of time. #formativechat
A3 It's really understanding the different forms of assessment - of/as/for - their purpose - knowing why, how & what in the different forms - ensuring that Ss are included in the process, aware & have choice in the process - then this becomes authentic assessment #formativechat
A3: Writing and speaking are huge. You don't need to reinvent the wheel. These two activities are immensely useful and should be done as much as possible! #FormativeChat
A3 In authentic "ways." Choice-how do they want to demonstrate what they've learned? Paper & pencil doesn't work for everyone. My advice: Give Ss the chance to brainstorm ideas. While some assessments HAVE to be paper/pencil, be open-minded. #formativechat
A3: Watch then. Just because they can’t answer abcd on test doesn’t mean they don’t know the stuff. Assess them using their strengths. Talk to them to find out what they know. Make connections to their lives. Give them opps to explore using mult intelligences. #formativechat
@Rdene915 and I would tell you - Ding, ding, ding — project based learning is a great way to find authentic learning. Make relationships, find interests, and start looking on how to bring that into Ss learning and application of that learning. #formativechat
A3) Since I do not yet give assessments to students. me being a pre-service teacher would try to use a more hands on type of assessment but I would also love to hear more ideas from all of you. #formativechat
A3: Have students apply the material in a way that is meaningful to them, such as with a blog or a passion project. Have them create something using the skills they have built. #formativechat
A3: Best advice—don’t get stressed with all the buzz words edus love to use. Go with your gut when it involves assessment. Greatest thing to do is build relationships with students so they see assessment as a conversation. #formativechat
A3: Also the best for of formative assessment that I know of is just walking around and listening to Ss as they talk. It's very powerful if you do this intently and this most importantly actually stop teaching if lots of Ss don't get it. #FormativeChat
A3: I like to assess in ways that are relevant, that answer the "why do I have to learn this" question, that actually apply what they learn to reality - in other words, what can they do with what they've learned. Advice for new teachers? Keep it real & meaningful. #formativechat
Plan with these teachers and guide them in their preparation and timing of instruction. That was a big hurdle for me. How long is too long on content and when do I allow students an opportunity to drive their own instruction? The best mentors assist in this way. #formativechat
Almost 30 years later #formativechat@mjjohnson1216 this quote your provided still is relevant with preservice and veteran teachers and administrators. Great quote to share...thanks for sending the Stiggins quote
A3: Don’t forget that the best student motivation is intrinsically based. They must have agency and autonomy over assessment process. If they have no opportunity at mastery, they probably won’t be engaged by the assessment. #formativechat
Preservice teaching is a place for new folks to try new ideas, get feedback + try again. It isn't about mimicking the mentor teacher, it is about developing a relevant skillset + identity for the future. It takes a supportive mentor + a willingness to fail forward. #FormativeChat
A3: I get them to co-create the criteria for assessment either verbally, or more formally. I give multiple opportunities/modalities for success. My advice would be, don't think that you need a "test" for everything. Assessment can take many forms. #formativechat
A3-Building relationships having a variety of tools such as using @goformative for data and insights. Get to know the Ss, build a collection of tools, talk with other Ts, build a PLN like this one for ideas and sharing,and be ok w/ taking a risk/making a mistake. #formativechat
Parodies are one of my favorite ways for Ss to show learning. It's HARD to make a point and make a laugh at the same time! Stick that in your toolbox! #formativechat
Thank you for a wonderful chat. My start of the week is now complete! Have a wonderful week! Enjoy and embrace those authentic moments out there. #formativechat
#formativechat@SFecich great chat for veteran and rookie teachers. The questions let us all be on the same level and learn from each other. Thanks for inspiring me today #formativechat folks!!!
A3 Pedagogy of listening - provides great insight into the thinking of students - window to their way of viewing & seeing their learning #FormativeChat
A3: As others have said, it's about utilization of the information fromt he assessment. You can build a hypothesis to (in)validate, you can have different trajectories planned for different responses, etc. You just have to have actions based on the data. #formativechat
Timing is an issue that I see with preservice teachers + it's a place where they need feedback. Significantly, I've realized they often don't know when they're "overtalking" + need to let students have more voice. That specific feedback can make a big difference. #FormativeChat
Thank you everyone! I’m going to be reading back through a lot of these response for a while! I’m excited to take notes on everyone’s advice !!! #formativechat
Oh absolutely! Speaking for myself, I wish I would have been more confident in allowing students to explore and have more voice. Giving preservice teachers confidence in “giving up control” is a needed teaching point. #formativechat
We need to encourage preservice teachers to connect with a PLN early + often + let them know their voice matters to their students, school + profession. Get out there, do research, present + share! This didn't happen for me until later + that held me back. #FormativeChat
Thank you to @SFecich for co-hosting #formativechat this week, and to @Rdene915 for helping making it happen as always. It's great to hear everyone's ideas and learn together!
A3 I use video responses quite a bit using @goformative and @flipgrid. Having the students describe their thinking really brings out what they know. Love it when the quite ones are able to respond by recording at home or in the hallway. #formativechat
Now would you use project learning for all students? what if students struggle with projects? could I still get authentic learning from other sources? #formativechat
Thank you for a great chat #formativechat. You have given me much to think about as I begin working with some of our future teachers. Great ideas and advice.
Me too! It's almost something folks need to be invited into since so much about school is compliance + control driven; it can feel "wrong." It's also genuinely hard to create true student-led, student-centered spaces, so continued support + feedback is vital. #FormativeChat
Oh absolutely! Speaking for myself, I wish I would have been more confident in allowing students to explore and have more voice. Giving preservice teachers confidence in “giving up control” is a needed teaching point. #formativechat
Yes. Thanks for the reminder. I take any opportunity I can to practice timing. It's so critical. I'll have to watch out for overtalking. Thank you. #formativechat
That's so true! My PLN has been so helpful for me as a Preservice T. I am so grateful that I have so many great educators to learn from. #formativechat
Authentic learning can look many different ways, but I think the student should have choice over form + process, they should get feedback in formative stages, there should be a legitimate out-of-school connection + there should be an meaningful audience beyond you. #FormativeChat
Thank you so much! I'm hoping to teach 7th and 8th grade English. I am always looking for suggestions for teaching literacy, writing, and literature in a way that is engaging and promotes student voice. #formativechat
