#WVEdChat Archive
The goal of #wvedchat is to provide educators an opportunity to connect, share, and learn from others by engaging in conversations around issues and topics in education.
Tuesday March 8, 2016
Welcome to ! Tonight we discuss formative assessment Please share your name & role in in WV
Rachel Burkett, TIS, Hampshire County
Steve Garton, Sr. Manager at Commonsense Education. Welcome Jason.
HI Rachel! Gr8 to see you again.
Derek Oldfield, Math T at Ripley High. Trying out chat experience tonight.
Hey all! Karla from Spring Mills HS. AP Lit & Eng 10 teacher.
Thx for joining in from Dayton. We cross over to every now & then.
Hi all! This is Tali from Common Sense Education in NY. I'll be jumping in and out of this chat because of childcare
Matt Hicks, Sp.Ed. T at Ripley Elem School
Hi Karla! Ready to talk assessment?
Great to see so much Common Sense in this group... ;)
You better believe it, buddy
Everybody needs some Common Sense
I have 3 screens up trying to compare them all. is not being friendly tonight.
https://t.co/2Skl5pllFd
Derek Oldfield, Math T at Ripley High. Trying out chat experience tonight.
I'm not seeing any of my notifications
We will be using the Q1, A1, Q2, A2, etc. Don’t forget to include in your response.
Tonight is all about formative assessment Q1 coming up. Great to be back moderating tonight!
I had the same problem when I tried to use it
Tweetdeck is working well for me.
Tweetdeck is sweet and right in my price range.
I second this! I could not do without it. I hate regular Twitter now :)
Same here Joe. I've used it since I started chatting. Giving participate lrn some feedback tonight.
A1. For me, the focus is always on what kids can create to show that they know something.
In case you missed it in the convo Q1 went out
A1: Formative assessment is a way to see what Ss know without the stress of summative testing.
A1: Hrd this 1 before & like it: FA is like the chef tasting the recipe during the cooking. SA is serving the meal.
A1: For feedback on how well students are retaining what they know & so teachers can modify the learning experience as needed
A1 - to find out what out what students already know and what they're excited about learning
A1 To gauge where Ss are in the learning process, what they got and what they missed
A1: to take the temperature of kids & class
Michelle Burk, Tech Facilitator, Kanawha County Schools...running a little behind!
I use temperature check a lot with my kids too!
Brandi Miller-Wright, 5th Grade, Kanawha County
Excellent outlook - circling back to what they need to succeed https://t.co/H2rGxh5k7f
A1 To gauge where Ss are in the learning process, what they got and what they missed
Hi Brandi! Thx for joining the Tues. night party.
Hi all. Jumping in late from Raleigh County.
Hey Malati! Gr8 to see the virtual u tonight.
can we do edchats every week!
A1: Formative assessments tell me where my kids are & what my kids need. The focus is the standards & how to get Ss there!
We used to Joe. If we saw an increase in those willing to moderate I think we'd consider it. Need more mods.
We're off to a great start to Q2 coming up
A1: Formative assessment guides learning. It helps Ts make choices about how to differentiate to when to reteach.
Coming in late from the panhandle! What's good ?? Jessica Salfia, English, Spring Mills High
A2 I think most teachers make it harder than it needs to be. It is about students showing what they know in a way that makes sense
A2: I think many provide the opportunities but don't really use it. Or maybe they don't listen to it.
A2 for fear that students might not be learning what they are teaching.
A2: it's easy to make assumptions @ what Ss 'should' know...
A2: They find it too much of a hassle to tailor it to their classroom and only use what the curriculum provides, if that
Better late - thanks for making it.
A2: Pressures of "covering everything", testing demands weigh on some Ts, keeping pace w/others n the school.
A2: Maybe because it's an "of the moment" name for a practice that seems pretty natural. Validation could go a long way for Ts
A2: Some Ts see formative assessment as "one more thing." Can you say teacher-centered classroom??
I hear that often, they know what Ss need. https://t.co/xWQaamq4QP
A2: it's easy to make assumptions @ what Ss 'should' know...
A2) it's not what their used to? Afraid to step out of paper pencil test box?
A2 I think a lot of teachers are afraid to let students create things for fear of getting "off track".
That or they don't want it to take up too much time to complete
Thinking about Q2, do you think too much is possible?
A2 - It can be time consuming and require advance planning and organization
Honestly...without formative assessment, how do you even direct the lesson/learning?
That track can lead to gr8 things. Thx for sharing! https://t.co/19X3pFIwSF
A2 I think a lot of teachers are afraid to let students create things for fear of getting "off track".
A2: Ts who do not value formative assessment are detached from the learning process & do not understand or care how Ss learn
) it's not what they're used to? Afraid to step out of paper pencil test box?
hey i have a newbie joining us! welcome her!
I agree & I think we need to be careful about assumptions of Ts too. https://t.co/S9g4XyuijP
A2: it's easy to make assumptions @ what Ss 'should' know...
Lock step can be easier to manage in the classroom. But it sure makes for a boring class.
It can take time, but it’s worth it when you can reach all Ss https://t.co/rs4mybp1tM
A2 - It can be time consuming and require advance planning and organization
Yes. You can let the data get in your head. https://t.co/SXkoxJ3P50
Thinking about Q2, do you think too much is possible?
I would agree to a point... some Ss are good fakers. Those are the same Ss that get the most benefits from FA.
Or you can gather, gather, gather, and not do anything with it!
I would give this two hearts, but won’t let me. PERFECT! https://t.co/z61flg6l96
Honestly...without formative assessment, how do you even direct the lesson/learning?
Ts do get overwhelmed with data. That's why they must choose which numbers are worth tracking.
Ii think summative data is easy and that is why teachers lean on it.
A2: & maybe Ts need some time and direction to sort out & implement and ultimately see the value ...cos if it ain't broke...
Exactly! Ts know a lot, but FA verifies or disproves it.
True. It's not that FA is difficult, it's that the results are
A2: Easier to shift the blame with summative data.
Time is flying by in Halfway thru the hour Gr8 discussion Q3 coming up
A3 Let them personalize their learning and created something meaningful to them.
A3: Provide them opportunities. Ask the right questions, give Ss a voice & quiet place to reflect.
A3: A question in return: How do we teach students that if the teachers don't do it themselves?
Interpreting data takes time. Ts have to KNOW their standards & what their Ss are expected to master.
A3: Systematic & consistent reflection & feedback. Can't live without it!
yes! FA in my mind is the Ts time to reflect.
A3: Teach Ss to understand data. Allow them to set personal goals and help create a path to get there! Celebrate success!
I knew this 1 would come up. It’s a valid Q. Thx 4 challenging Ts! https://t.co/waIdmMYAEd
A3: A question in return: How do we teach students that if the teachers don't do it themselves?
Agree! And they also have to have an idea of how to take Ss where they need to go, how to build skills and scaffold
A3) talk about your learning logs!
A3: Ss should always know the target, where they are in relation to the target, and how they can reach target.
Blogging is a great way to reflect and have evidence of that reflection
students graphing data from their test results can help them see what they need and how far from a goal or target they are
And that target cannot be moving… https://t.co/wCjc2UkmY9
A3: Ss should always know the target, where they are in relation to the target, and how they can reach target.
1 sheet exit tick that asks Ss to reflect on some aspect of learning every day. I respond and pass back https://t.co/ej56mDVJUC
A3) talk about your learning logs!
A3: Make the communication of Ss progress meaningful- Fair, Accurate, Specific, Timely : FAST feeback.
It is amazing what you get when you ask students to tell you what they think they are learning. It lets you know that maybe..
it wasn't as clear as you thought it was
Hi all! I'm new here so sorry in advance for my lack of Twitter knowledge. got me into this lol
Q4 is a poll question. Use app or web to answer - open for 6 hours.
A3: Ss need to purposefully reflect on their learning. Writing allows Ss to self-analysis. Reflection=OWNING their learning.
Amazing how creativity drives Ss forward. https://t.co/bxKqHQTTTC
A3 Let them personalize their learning and created something meaningful to them.
its ok noob we're friendly here!
agreed. I see a major improvement with lexile levels since we began data notebooks https://t.co/rcUsakR1CX
students graphing data from their test results can help them see what they need and how far from a goal or target they are
A3: If we're graphing data, it needs to be something that more than just a few Ts are on board with and actually discussed with Ss
Q5 How often do you use formative assessment? Use web/app to answer
A3: I have my Ss keep Starlogs. Starlogs are their reflections abt their learning. I post Qs & they reflect on their learning.
A3 I like student-lead conferencing as a summative form of reflection.
ha! for real. I'll never not use 'em
I posted Q5 It's a poll Q that requires web or app to answer.
I am late to the party. I am Rebecha, a reading/special Ed teacher in Erkeley County.
PLC helps Ts work together to understand data. Common FAs help Ts stay on the right track to meet SMART goals.
Q4 How can Ss created assessments change learning?
Welcome! Glad you joined us tonight!
Welcome Rebecha! Thx for joining.
The Seesaw app is great for tracking data as well! I take pics of their lexile level in the data nb so parents can stay updated
A4: I find when Ss create FAs n my class, they think so much deeper abt the questions/problems they ask other Ss.
A4 Ss assessments provide a learning opportunity plus demos what they see a key points In charge of their learning!
they like to challenge each other!
A4: Student created assessments = automatic investment and buy in by Ss
A4: At the HS level, if Ss know the target & what mastery looks like, they shld be able to design accurate assessments.
A4: Ss created assessment helps Ts provide personalized instruction to Ss & ensure Ss are making adequate gains towards goals.
A4 Students buy into learning when they have control. Leadership forms as well as students teach eachother
I do think FA means different things to different people. And I think that is alright.
A4 also helps guide Ts...are the Ss focused on vocab or content? DOK shows rigor of your teaching...
Especially true at diff grade levels
And different styles of teaching
Heading into the home stretch... Q6 is coming up
A6 Keeping students focused on the task at hand. It is tough to individualize and still stay on topic.
A6 How to make sure that underneath creativity all the target skills are being met.
What about outputs? Can we use FA & have creative "product"? https://t.co/Ez2IBiVsIt
A6 Keeping students focused on the task at hand. It is tough to individualize and still stay on topic.
A6: Easy to measure vs hard to measure. Our Ss need less of 1 and more of the other.
Yes to this. https://t.co/MZHhTocloi
A6 Keeping students focused on the task at hand. It is tough to individualize and still stay on topic.
A6: Provide Ss with choice in how they learn and what they create!
A6: 1/2 This one is making me think... honestly, I grade very little. I assess often but grading 2 often ends lrng.
We sure can. That is where the 4 Cs come in big time https://t.co/tdyQh6GwXd
What about outputs? Can we use FA & have creative "product"? https://t.co/Ez2IBiVsIt
A6 Keeping students focused on the task at hand. It is tough to individualize and still stay on topic.
A6: 2/2 Does constant measurement limit creativity? Idk.
A6 Tough 1 since most assessment is in a box- nails it w/ making sure target is met. Creativity shouldn't mask it
Yes we can. That's where the GRASPS model comes in handy
A6: Time is the biggest assessment challenge when addressing creativity. When time is up, it's up!
I'm stuck on this one, hard to measure creativity without using a rubric, FA is only ABCD answers
Time is tough, but when I look at what students remember from my class 4 years later, I wish I had been deeper w les
FA can be informal too. Ts could guide not judge. Maybe Ss could even guide each other?
I'm not sure we should measure creativity...but effort? Depth? Complexity? Yes.
I wish that I had given more "Memorable Assignments"
I like how you stated that. That's my class, very much so. Much more informal, behind the scenes data analysis by me.
No matter what with creativity, the object of the lesson should never be to create something.
how/why be willing to try if you don't know if you'll fail? If tying learning to grades only...failure not option
Look 4 the standard, creativity is a means to demonstrate learning goal.
https://t.co/6Q3AUGwWdZ
I'm stuck on this one, hard to measure creativity without using a rubric, FA is only ABCD answers
If I have 120 Ss, I'm the rudder for 120 ships.
Students creating to demonstrate understanding is the best of both worlds. It needs to mean something to them.
I like this...the memorable ones are meaningful, too
I love this still. I try to weave this concept daily. https://t.co/d86CT3I0Ch
I wish that I had given more "Memorable Assignments"
And I think they are the only ones that really count in the long run.
... If tying learning to grades only... failure not an option...? I think I need that restated. Trying to understand.
I still remember my opening for the unit I did on the Revolution. I didn't create it, but the effect was wow!
couldn't agree more...I aim for "learning experiences" as much as I can
WOW! What an hour - thx 4 spending it w/ I am humbled everytime I moderate. Gr8 group of !
