http://www.edutopia.org/stw-assessment
Next, I talked briefly about the difference between teaching for content and teaching for thinking. I mentioned rubrics as a way to involve students in the assessment of their learning and the difference between testing and demonstrating learning. I also mentioned that in a traditional school, students who can't or won't memorize what the teacher thinks is important, often haven't done well.
I then directed them to this prompt and asked them to comment at the bottom of this post:
Next, I talked briefly about the difference between teaching for content and teaching for thinking. I mentioned rubrics as a way to involve students in the assessment of their learning and the difference between testing and demonstrating learning. I also mentioned that in a traditional school, students who can't or won't memorize what the teacher thinks is important, often haven't done well.
I then directed them to this prompt and asked them to comment at the bottom of this post:
Please share your thoughts about authentic assessment.
It was necessary for me to define "authentic" and "assessment." Many students asked what they were "supposed to do" (in light of the activity that was ironic). I hesitated to answer some of their questions, but tried to get them to stretch their thinking instead. We often search for what it should look like rather than what it could look like. In the end, they were all able to get some ideas published before they headed off to band.
Parents and other visitors to the blog should feel welcome to add their own response to the prompt, or to respond to a comment made by one of the students.
Parents and other visitors to the blog should feel welcome to add their own response to the prompt, or to respond to a comment made by one of the students.
After recess we read for ten minutes before transitioning to math. In Math 7 we started a new unit on circles and area. We spent the whole class asking what is a circle, how can we draw a circle and how we might find the centre of a circle. We were introduced (re-introduced?) to some outwardly simple, but important observations: d=2r and d/2 = r. We also noted the relationship between the diameter and the centre of a circle. There is no homework.
After lunch we read for ten minutes and then transitioned to our science projects. I spent time checking in with students 1:1 to observe their learning-to-date. At the end of class I shared with the class some general observations: 1. Many of the inquiry questions are close-ended but with a little adjustment can be reworded to be open-ended. 2. It is clear that many students have not created an outline/mind map/plan for their inquiry because their projects lack depth. I reviewed how a big question can be broken down into topics and sub-topics.
We ended the day with a short game of person hunt in the sunny forest. What a great way to end a productive day.
Here is the trip plan/timing details for the snowshoe trip. Drivers, I've highlighted the times we will "depart the school" on Day One, and meet you for "pick up and return to school" on Day Two.
I thought that video was cool. I learned a lot of things about schools of the future. the world needs more schools cause kids of the Human Race are increasing throughout the world. (that probably makes no sence)
ReplyDeletei think that the school that we watched in the video was cool because they think much deeper then most schools. what really jumped out out at me was when the guy said that most kids just think the right answer is the key to everything. as a kid i can say that is true because once i get the right answer all of my mind just shuts down. i think it is cool how these kids learn.
ReplyDeleteI think that the old way of school, like everything else, has pros and cons. One of the positives is that it's simple and easier to understand. But this system does not work as well for some as it does for others. Therefore it's not consistent. The new way of education is well rounded to help all students but is very complicated and confusing for many people. I'm not sure yet which system I like better but I would like to try the new way and see what it's like.
ReplyDeleteI think that authentic assessment is a good way for students to learn but it is not that much better than regular schooling. I would prefer do be in a school that teaches in authentic assessment rather than a school that doesn't.
ReplyDeleteThis way of teaching is a great way because they don't just go for the right answer but they want you to think like a scientist or historian. They also collect the correct facts and can make accurate assessments. The teachers are also pushed to interact with students more.
ReplyDeleteI think the School of the Future would be a great school to go to because the teachers don't just tell you what to do and what they want you to learn, and the students do what the teachers say. Instead the teachers help you learn and understand what they're teaching so that you can succeed. I wish more schools were like that because then maybe more kids would feel like they know things instead of being clueless the whole time and not getting anywhere.
ReplyDeleteThere are many different ways to do authentic tests and traditional tests. I think both the types of testings have there ups and downs. I think that authentic assessment is good, but also you should have some traditional assessments. I think this, because in grade two and three, if we didn't have tests on the multiplication tables we might not know them as well now and so we might not be able to do the math we do now.
ReplyDeleteI like the old way of learning more than the new way. I find the old way easier than the new way. But it looked like it worked good for the kids who are in the video. I like the old way because I like to know what I am suppose to do. Unlike inquiry. It is easier to understand the project. It is also easier to get good marks because you know what you are being graded on. I like that much better than inquiry.
ReplyDeleteI think that the traditional way of learning works better for me because I find that the assessment for learning to jumbled up and Im not always sure on what Im supposed to do. I like using a rubrick when we are given it before we start the project because then I know what to look for when Im doing a project. Although when I do an activity and get handed a rubrick after I've done my presentation not knowing what you were looking for in the first place really messes me up because I could have missed out a whole section in a project not knowing I was supposed to to it.
ReplyDeleteI think that the new way of learning probably helps kids learn better, but personally I like the old way of learning more because i find it easier and I know what I am supposed to do. With the new way sometimes I don't know exactly what I'm supposed to do. I would like it if we could stop doing the inquiry projects. Even though they are part of the new learning system they start to get pretty boring. I think that the inquiry projects are harder than the old way of learning because there is no exact answer.
ReplyDeleteI agree with braedon
ReplyDeleteI agree with Gus for agreeing with Braedon
ReplyDeleteI think assessment should look more like authentic assessment rather than traditional assessment, just getting tests on what you learned and 2 words "Good work!" on your paper. The School of the Future is a good school since it helps make you learn better since you know what you can improve on rather than schools that use the traditional way.
ReplyDeleteI liked that video because it taught us a little more about some schools. I would rather be in one of the classes in the video than in our normal class. I think that our school will evolve in to a school that we saw in the video.
ReplyDeleteI think that both types of schooling have their ups and downs, but I like the idea of non standardized test. Before, when I did tests at my old school, we got very little feed-back on them and we only got the mark, so that bothered me. Old-school teaching style has its advantages, but testing is not one of them.
ReplyDeletei think the video was cool and right about what they said. school should start teaching not to get the right answer but to now how to do the work. i think they should teach like that because kids can cheat and get the answer from the back of the book or right down the answer on their arm for a test of just copy off some els sheet so thats why i think the should tech to learn how to get the answer and not to get the answer
ReplyDeletethank you Thane and Gus for agreeing with me
ReplyDeleteI think that if our class used a little bit of the traditional learning and a little bit of the modern learning I would do my best learning. I personally prefer knowing what I need to know, what's going to be on the test and what things count for marks. I also like using computers/electronics for learning. I like the idea of doing authentic assessment rather than the standardized tests because I find the standardized tests to be pointless and a waste of time. I find rubrics to be helpful and I like that we get to help make the rubrics. I prefer doing "traditional" projects like when u get a subject, research that subject and present it to the class however u want. I am not a fan of inquiry because I get confused. Overall I think that schools should start to move towards modern learning.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Braedon
ReplyDeleteI think that authentic assessments are important for education it gives your more of an understanding on learning not just being told you did "fine" "good" or "ok". Its more of a personal way of learning not just being told how to do. I think non standardized tests are some what important for your learning but a little less personal and more of just being told. I think schools could be eaither way but i the way i liked best was the authentic assessments because I think it would take education to a whole new level of learning and thought.
ReplyDeleteI think that we (students) should be taught by authentic assessment, but instead of having 3 terms, we should have 6, So that we could focus on one main subject (Math, Science, History, fine arts) for each term, then have a jumble of everything (a little like our school system) for the 5th term, and reviews for the last term (P.E. mixed in through the whole year). We should be marked by a special type of test. Our tests should be individual, and instead of handing in our finish product in, we should be supervised completing an inquiry project, because it would show the teacher(s) how effectively we can create a finished document, or whatever else we choose to present, and we could learn how to handle pressure. I enjoy the way we are marked in the modern school system, though it needs a lot of work. Sadly, I don't think there are many ways to improve on how we are marked now.
ReplyDeletei agree with thane for agreeing with gus for agreeing with braedon
ReplyDeleteI like the way we get taught in school how we take time to understand what were I the doing, is it for homework, and what will I need. I’ve really like how we use the Mr. Marshall method of the self-Rubric. I agree with Thane about agreeing with Gus who agreed Brandon.
ReplyDeletePersonally I like the old way of school slightly better than the inquiry process because its easier for me and it takes less effort but that said I think I probably learn more with the inquiry process because I really have to think about what I’m doing as apposed to just repeating the facts that you’ve taught us. I also think that its harder for me when there is no right answer because its not like math were all you have to do is get the answer and then its done there are so many more steps.
ReplyDeleteI think that using the rubrics works the best for me because it gives you a sense of how you're doing and where you need to focus your skills. I like the assessment before we continue with our work/project so you know where you're being marked. I think that the authentic way doesn't give you you're true mark because the teacher may not know what kind of trouble you went to to get your material. It's just stuck on a poster board. I like the rubric idea best because it's most flexible.
ReplyDeletei think that the way these kids learn in this school is a good way of getting them involved in school. and i think if you just tell them the answers it would go in one ear and go out the other but if u get them involved it would stay in there head .
ReplyDeleteIn class today we watched a video on a school that thinks more about thinking.
ReplyDeleteSome children think just to get the right answers. Schools have been drifting away from just dumping facts into kids heads and then giving them a paper with questions then say recall on the fact that they said days or week before. The children who could memorize these fact were “smart” and those who couldn’t were deemed less smart
Thank you for your comments, everyone. I think that there is already a strong movement pushing to shift Western education away from the factory, or "traditional" model of school. The Internet has meant that my role as a teacher is less and less about teaching you "things," and more about helping you develop flexibility in your thinking and your ability to share your thinking. That's not to say that in the past teachers and students were just drones in the hive. There has always been good teaching and learning, it's just that research has made it easier to understand the "whys" of what we do. We all need to know some "factoids," because to look up everything would be too cumbersome. However, the list of facts that need to be put to memory is different for everyone because we all have different needs and interests. This suggests that a purely content-focused program could be limiting. I found it interesting that so many of you commented that inquiry learning was less preferable to you because it is more difficult. You said that it was easier when you knew what it was you were supposed to know. I agree. Some of what we do is messier - and the thinking can't always be defined in a way that can be reported on a single line on a worksheet or test. I hope that as you move forward you learn to enjoy the freedom of inquiry and the way it allows us to investigate and question in ways that interest us personally because that kind of creativity and originality is what pushes humanity forward. It's true that there is no final answer in the inquiry model - there is always more to know. But asking, "What else is there? Why? So what? and, "What if? is what pushes us to discover new and better ways to live and to understand the world around us. Think back to the TED Talk you saw about the researcher at MIT who asked if there was a better way for us to interact with digital information in the natural world. You all thought it was pretty neat that he didn't accept that a mouse was the best way to interact with a computer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I enjoyed the thoughtful posts. After reading your thoughts, I reflected on my experience with inquiry. One of the challenges for me is the time I need to process, ask questions or try things out. What I find rewarding are the moments when it comes together and feels meaningful (not necessarily "right"). Trying to have fun with learning and being open to the learning has helped me. Thanks again for your posts.
ReplyDeleteTrina :)
I find it very interesting to hear all of your thoughts as 11-13 year olds. I've been through the "traditional" school system and now am a parent and having gone through it, I can honestly say that there's a place for both types of schooling. On one side, taking a topic you're interested in and finding out everything about it, and then showing what you found to your peers in a way that is cool to you, such as a video, or slide show, or power point or poster etc, gives you the chance to dive REALLY deep into the topic. Why would you dive deep? Because it interests you.
ReplyDeleteThink about when you want to know something (outside of school). You check it out, probably on the web or maybe you'll talk to people who know about it, or check out some books on it. You're naturally doing research and then you get your answers and viola, you're an expert. For example, if you wanted to make some money, maybe you'd google "ways for kids to make money", maybe you'd ask your friends, or your parents(research).......I imagine you may tell your friends about this cool website you found on ways to make money and even show them it(presentation), perhaps you would show your parent a you tube video on a kid who's already making money going to garage sales and finding stuff and posting it on ebay and making money(presentation).....then you may start doing the same thing yourself(life application). You see how there's no right "answer"? There are several answers and methods and applications.
I think that with the inquiry projects, the point may be (correct me if I'm way off Mr. Marshall) to launch yourself into thinking about how to gather info and present it in a creative way that works for you, that you think is cool, that you're excited and passionate about. When you're excited about something, that's contagious and it draws your peers in to totally listen to what you have to say, and then guess what? They learn about it too!
So next time you have to do a project that doesn't interest you, why not put a spin on it that makes it interesting and cool and fun? I'm thinking some examples could be making a magazine on fashion in ancient greece, imagine how much you would learn about photography, editing, graphics, lighting, fabrics, perhaps even sewing.
On the flip side, knowing facts on certain subjects like math is important too.
I think it's a wonderful idea that Nicholas has. The idea of doing an intensive learning term on each core subject is brilliant. I've heard that taking a swimming lesson 5 days in a row gives a student a lot of practice and confidence in swimming as opposed to what our swim lessons usually are, once a week. Perhaps, doing three hours of one subject, approaching the subject from a variety of angles, and then gym for a total of 4 1/2 hours of school would be an effective way to approach schooling. I've also heard that an entire year's cirriculum can be completed in 6 weeks, and that many students have done this. I think the district should do a pilot project on this. I know a pilot project has been launched by the district for a nature school where the kids will be outside for most of the day, doing their "learning" outside....it starts this september for K-3.
It will be interesting to see if something happens. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the 6 week term idea. Thanks!
Above I meant an entire year of ONE subject in 6 weeks not the entire year of all the objects in six weeks total. Sorry. :)
DeleteHi all,
DeleteJust hooking back into the blog after a few weeks, as Arif has been away to Hawaii. Thanks Julie for sharing your ideas, and all of you for being open and honest about how difficult it feels to move away from the familiar to an alternative way of doing things.
I also really like the idea of focusing on one subject for a longer period of time which was expressed by Nicholas. This is done in the Waldorf system for the lower grades where they spend most of the morning on a "main lesson" for 1 month.
Our system needs to move forward and adopt some of these ideas. I'd love to see a pilot project in our district that would offer this opportunity of more imaginative and in depth learning.
Wow, thanks for the comprehensive response posts, parents. I think it's wonderful that our parents care enough to take the time to read our work and then share their ideas, too. I wish I could write more every day. I find that the blog is a very useful tool for me to reflect about my teaching practice - it's sort of like my own little teaching journal. Take care.
ReplyDelete