Teachers have the ability to assess students in various
forms, the main two being informal and formal. The article describes one
scenario of students for an ELA class; the students are reading in a literature
circle, where they address open-ended questions. They record themselves, play it back, and
evaluate how they answered the questions. To me, this would be considered a
formal assessment because it is being documented, with the possibly of
continuous replay. This example, as well as others shows that students can also
be assessed on their social skills.
Each example given in the article provides evidence of the
CCSS being used, and most along side the use of technology. Teachers who have
students are different reading levels can often use technology to their advantage.
They can assign and arrange students to work in high-low (to assist each
other), or in smaller groups of similar reading levels, meeting with each group
for assessment.
It's a great point that technology is an excellent tool to provide differentiation.
ReplyDeleteKylie,
ReplyDeleteNice post! I feel that any type of group work, such as a literature circle, is a great form of assessment. It allows the students to be both independent and collaborative with their peers. While both informal and formal assessment are necessary, I am much more an advocate of informal assessment for measuring students' learning outcomes. This is because informal strategies, like observing, feel much more natural and less-stressful for both the teachers and students. I believe that test scores mean very little when in comes to actually measuring a student's ability. What are your thoughts?
Thanks Brooke!
DeleteStudents must be assessed in some form or another, I too agree that informal assessments are less stressful. I think the test score depends on the type of test. I have never been a fan of standardized tests, taking them or giving them. When I need to assess my students and use Edmodo I ask for student feedback: if they prefer matching, short answers, or multiple choice. Most of my assessments are informal for class participation. For my projects I do provide a rubric where the student scores themselves and then I score them. On my final I am required to give a short answer exam with thought provoking questions.
It's interesting that you mentioned several ways to group students using technology. I have seen this method during my student teaching a year ago. My cooperating teacher would group ELL students together to help encourage more communication. I recall a group of 5 students who spoke Spanish. They were all reading the same book and the teacher would meet with them weekly to assess them individually and as a group. I thought this informal assessment was a very effective method that gave some concrete results on the students and their group dynamic.
ReplyDeleteWere the ELL students reading in their native language or in English?
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