Welcome to our weekly #teachpos chat. So glad you could make it. Talking about assessments tonight. Please tell us your name, title and tag a friend or two to join. Please RT and reply to those answers you find valuable.
Happy Sunday everyone! Scott from mid Michigan, middle school dean. Survived the polar vortex and now trying to hang tight during this bomb cyclone! Crazy Michigan weather! #teachpos
I'm Carolee Wagner. I'm a student at Elon University double majoring in Elementary Education and Special Education and minoring in dance. @hahner_shelby join me! #teachpos
Hey #teachpos - Alicia from NC - Digital Learning & Media Coordinator at a middle school. Would love to see @khoggardGRT & @CristinaDajero tonight! SUPER pumped to get to meet them f2f in less than TWO WEEKS!
Hi all! Kristen here from PA. Finally a weekend where I didn’t have anything important to do so I’m ready for the week! 😊Thought I’d stop in for awhile until my stim is done. I teach 6th grade sci. #killing2birds#teachpos
Hey all! Phil from Northern Virginia. I teach 6/7 US History I&II and am the founder of #waledchat (Thurs @ 9pm ET) and #Edusations (https://t.co/tFjvnT6iL0). In-laws just left after a surprise visit -- lots of fun, even if I lost in Boggle! #teachpos
A1: I start by asking my students, "If you were to write this assessment, what would you put on it?" Next, I cause excitement by talking about how they are going to love the thinking of the assessment! #teachpos
A1: Use a variety of assessments. Promote assessments that reach the learning styles of the room, projects, hands on, tech incorporated, etc. #teachpos
A1: These are typically my performance based assessments. I try to consider the future of my students and find ways to blend content with process like the website design project we just wrapped up! #teachpos
I'm blessed b/c teaching ag requires my assessments are seeped in hands-on application! Only way to show you know how to weld is to weld! Only way to demonstrate knowledge in animal grooming...well you need to do it! Students love demonstrating their knowledge/skills! #TeachPos
A1: I think that learning about the individual interests of each student is important in creating an inspirational and enjoyable working environment. I also think that incorporating the arts is a great way to keep students engaged in their learning experience. #teachpos
A1: Such assessments are designed just like great lessons, with Ss in mind first and foremost. Know them and you know what assessments will truly be worth while.
#TeachPos
A1: Such assessments are designed just like great lessons, with Ss in mind first and foremost. Know them and you know what assessments will truly be worth while.
#TeachPos
A1: Meaningful, authentic, that assess the content or skill instead of how well the ss can read the question, read the answers, select the correct answer, circle, write, or however they mark the answer, etc. #TeachPos
A1: Even operating under the confines of "standardized testing", I use my Ss names in math problems & make the probs about things they're interested in. Now, I have much more flexibility in media center. Passion projects where they explore & share on their own terms. #teachpos
A1:
1. give them a choice
2. focus on #inquiry
3. open ended (no one right answer)
4. provide effective FB w/ strategies Ss can use right away
5. give Ss opportunity to resubmit based on FB
6. if evaluated, sit down w/ student & negotiate the grade together
#teachpos
A1: Not sure I always do, but I also don't give a lot of formal assessments in first grade. I use a lot of formative assessment with projects and a lot of conversation. #teachpos
#teachpos - A1 - This is tough! People don’t think math assessment and “happy”, “passionate”, and “successful” too often.
It is all about creating an assessment for learning and having Ss see assessment as a mile marker on the journey rather than the finish line.
A1: make sure Ss know the purpose - why this assessment at this time for me?? What is the success criteria (very different from task requirements). What will I get out of this assessment? #teachpos
A1: Not sure I always do, but I also don't give a lot of formal assessments in first grade. I use a lot of formative assessment with projects and a lot of conversation. #teachpos
A1: I don't really give assessments, at least not for a typical classroom. There isn't anything I can do to standardized assessments. But I take formaticve information all the time. #teachpos
A1: focus should be on skills not the content; content is easily accessible -what skills and habits of mind am I developing and why? How can I use my voice to create change? #teachpos
A1: Poviding more than enough feedback and opportunities to practice any given problem. I also like using Ss names in problems to draw their attention in. Most importantly, reminding them that their scores don't define them..so they must relax! #TeachPos
A1) The rationale behind assessment must be changed for students and adults. If the pressure is placed to determine a grade I am not sure the passion will be visible (unless you receive an A, but even then I question the passion). #teachpos
A1) The rationale behind assessment must be changed for students and adults. If the pressure is placed to determine a grade I am not sure the passion will be visible (unless you receive an A, but even then I question the passion). #teachpos
Oh I'd put silly things in questions sometimes. Every once in a while I'd hear a little giggle and we'd make eye contact and I'd wink. It was great. I miss the classroom so bad some days. #teachpos
A1: strong choice in which students feel like they can apply what they have learned into something that they feels like shows they have mastered the material (culminating project).
#teachpos
A2: Purpose of assessment:
1. To inform our instructions towards mastery.
2. To help students grapple with the work to see where they are at and to reflect.
3. To partner in determining Next Steps.
#teachpos
#teachpos
1. drives instruction & next steps
2. allows Ss to develop #metacognition & #selfregulation
3. allows Ss to strengthen their strengths and develop their needs
A2: Purpose of assessment:
1. To inform our instructions towards mastery.
2. To help students grapple with the work to see where they are at and to reflect.
3. To partner in determining Next Steps.
#teachpos
A2: To see what Ss know and where you need to go next.
I'm a HUGE fan of using pre-assessments! If they already know it... pssssst, don't waste your time on it!!!!! Fill in the gaps of what they're missing & move. on. Use that time for fun & engagement! #teachpos
#teachpos
1. drives instruction & next steps
2. allows Ss to develop #metacognition & #selfregulation
3. allows Ss to strengthen their strengths and develop their needs
A2: I see the main purposes of assessment as 1.) Did I do my job to teach this content? 2.) Did I make the concept readily available for my students? 3.) Did my students' expand their schema with this knowledge? #teachpos
A2: we want our Ss to become self-directed; how are they using the FB to improve & develop? These skills will be needed in the workplace where they constantly reflect, set goals, seek out resources, & improve. #teachpos
A2: we want our Ss to become self-directed; how are they using the FB to improve & develop? These skills will be needed in the workplace where they constantly reflect, set goals, seek out resources, & improve. #teachpos
A2: To monitor how well I'm doing as their teacher and if I'm doing enough for them to understand important content and did they make connections to what was taught/what they learned #TeachPos
A2:
1. Opportunity to showcase/demonstrate learning/skills attained
2. Provide an application to the knowledge (why did I REALLY need to learn this)
3. Create connections between content areas...nothing is alone in its own silo...
#TeachPos
Assessments mark how well we have done our jobs as well as how well the students are understanding. With this in mind, engagement is important so the students can retain skills and concepts instead of spitting out memorized answers... the how/why more than the what! #teachpos
if you can Google the answer to a question, is it a good question? It's the types of Qs we ask our Ss based on the content that matters. Must be open ended where Ss develop skills not regurgitate information. #teachpos
A1: Designing relevant assessment that assesses current knowledge makes the time to assess and score impactful . Also have to have an assessment where feedback can be sued or it is just a stand alone "test" that doesn't push learning forward. #teachpos
A2 the most important reason for assessment in my mind is to move student learning forward. #teachpos Sometimes large scale assessment if used properly is to assess curriculum and programs
A2: reasons for assessment...
1. Know where Ss need more support.
2. Know how well my teaching supported Ss. (especially if there is a large amount who didn't seem to get it - I need to approach different.)
#teachpos
#teachpos - A2 - Assessment should provide both the teacher and the student with information about the learning happening in class. Assessment should inform instruction and allow students to demonstrate mastery.
As an extension of this idea, all of our formative assessments + process work are brainstorming + prewriting. They're stepping stones on our pathway to mastery. Students, in general, spend way too much time drafting + not enough time prewriting + revising. #TeachPos
A3: When the culture of our classroom fosters the love of learning and notes that grades are simply a placeholder of where we are at the moment, the letter is temporary and just a guide.
#teachpos
A3 Focus on formative assessment! Give feedback and help Ss move away from collecting and obsessing over points and letter grades. Feedback> grades #TeachPos
A3: Make assessments about feedback and not about the grade. Constantly refer back to the feedback! Even putting the feedback on the front and the grade on the back sends a message of which is more important. #teachpos
A3: If you want assessments to go beyond just grades, you need to ensure that any grade you can is not an end point. Let Ss reflect and rework. Let them show mastery over time.
#teachpos
A3 Focus on formative assessment! Give feedback and help Ss move away from collecting and obsessing over points and letter grades. Feedback> grades #TeachPos
#teachpos - A3 - This is a PERFECT lead into our #edChatRI topic for the night! We will be talking about Project Based Learning, which is a great way to go beyond just a letter or grade when it comes to assessments. Join the converstation!
A3: The assessment should be an application of the skills and knowledge, not just the regurgitation of the skills and knowledge. As @LevineWrites said earlier, conversation and collaboration. #TeachPos
A3: Delay the grade. Give feedback first. That feedback doesn't need to be written either. You can conference w/students for summative assessments too! #teachpos
A3: If you want assessments to go beyond just grades, you need to ensure that any grade you can is not an end point. Let Ss reflect and rework. Let them show mastery over time.
#teachpos
A3: Team-building games and technology may be a fun way to go about this! Breaking up into teams and playing "Jeopardy" or using a site like Socrative allows students to have fun while testing their knowledge (and may bring out a bit of a competitive side for some!) #teachpos
A3: I love informal assessments, whether it is a whole class experience, a game for students to play or something like @quizizz. The purpose of an assessment is to gain knowledge of student understanding, not just assign a grade
#teachpos
(I was late to the game as usual, sorry)
A3: By helping students understand why we're teaching what we are. Make connections to the content with what they want to do in the future...help them understand the grand ole question, "Why do we need to know this?"
#TeachPos
A3: Connect it to their lives. Make it applicable. When we can bridge those gaps, we can make assessments more relevant and... dare I say it?... engaging! #teachpos
A3: simple, get rid of grades! Reports should focus on growth, skills, & habits of mind. When was the last time an employer asked to see your transcripts?? #teachpos
A3: What a powerful question! Having a real dialogue with students that the grade is not the important part...what have you learned? I think about my 10th English class...got a C, but learned more about writing and getting honest feedback...grade couldn't express that! #TeachPos
A3: simple, get rid of grades! Reports should focus on growth, skills, & habits of mind. When was the last time an employer asked to see your transcripts?? #teachpos
A3: Connect it to their lives. Make it applicable. When we can bridge those gaps, we can make assessments more relevant and... dare I say it?... engaging! #teachpos
Feedback on formative assessments is an equity issue: timely, meaningful, growth-oriented feedback is key to student achievement, but too often it's teacher/schedule dependent. Schools serious about closing achievement gaps need to get serious about a feedback culture. #TeachPos
A3: stop calling them assessments! I feel most responces are the same. We want to know where are Ss are with learning and our next steps. Why must we keep with an old mindset - it is time to move on and do what is right for our Ss. #teachpos
A3: we all know if we put FB w/ a grade, they won't focus on the FB - just the letter grade/percentage - if we truly want to nurture a culture of learning, get rid of grades! This way Ss compete against themselves not each other! #teachpos
Hahaha! At my 1st interview for my first job, I was asked what my GPA in college was. I proudly announced that I grad magna cum laude. She was DISAPPOINTED bc it appeared that I had not struggled & couldn't relate to Ss who would struggle in class. Makes sense now. #teachpos
Thanks so much for an awesome chat #teachpos! Y'all always know how to get my week off to a great start! Hope y'all have a terrific week!
I'm *SO* pumped to be back with my kiddos after being out last week with the flu! Bring on Monday!!!!
