"Grading Smarter, Not Harder": Testing & Retesting

Testing & Retesting

How can you ensure that an assessment reflects student knowledge?

Let's begin with retesting and the problems with traditional classroom testing systems.  According to Dueck, the following have been identified as problems with the testing system we are familiar with:

• flawed-tests cannot be revisited.
• little resemblance to reality
• test are a snapshot in time
• outcomes affected by unrelated variables
• low socioeconomic conditions are related more so with negative emotional factors
• negatively affect high-performing students as well.
• Traditional testing approaches discourage mastery

We should approach teaching more like coaching.  Whether you are a dancer, an athlete, an artist, or musician, constant practice leads to mastery.

• embrace and celebrate mastery through repeated effort
• put systems in place to support and celebrate student mastery in the classroom.

Traditional approach ignores the learning that occurs during testing

• learning is active, not static.
• students should be given the chance to identify the mistakes made on tests, and re-test, and learn why they made the mistake

Potential Retesting Problems

• Students may need to complete a 2nd test in its entirety
• This can be discouraging to them
• a waste of time for student and teacher
• tiring amount of paper for the teacher
• Retests take up valuable Class Time
• completing the curriculum on time becomes an issue
• Retests can provide data of little value
• did learning really improve?
• Retests may not reflect authentic learning

Using Graphic Novels, Comics, and Manga in the Classroom event

Using Graphic Novels, Comics and Manga in the Classroom

                         Saturday, May 19, 2018 from 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm

For event details click here>>

Thank you Arlene for the heads up on this event.

Weekly Question

Weekly Question:    

After reading the review on "Grading Smarter, Not Harder; Unit Plans" (part 1),   What are the four types of targets to include in unit plans?

To enter for a chance to win some new dry-erase markers:
1.  Follow this blog.
2.  Answer the following question in the comments section below.

Friday, April 27 10pm will be the deadline.

#armmewithexpo

#epcsstaffblog

"Grading Smarter, Not Harder": Unit Plan & Learning Targets (A module breakdown); Part 2

Part 2

Using learning targets efficiently requires us to form what Susan M. Brookhart and Connie M. Moss call a learning target parade.   
Learning targets from a sequence of lessons will add up to a larger unit goal, or state standard.  Daily learning targets include a description with words, pictures, demonstrations, or experiences.

All learning targets must adhere to the following criteria:
1.  Describe for the students exactly what they are going to learn by the end of the day's lesson.
2.  Written in a language the students can understand.
3.  Written in the point of view of a student who has not mastered the knowledge or skill of the day's lesson.
4.  Embodied in a performance of understanding--what the student will do, make, so, or write during the lesson -- that translates the description into action.   Performance of understanding helps students get where they need to be in order to achieve the learning target, as well as giving them evidence of how well they are doing.
5.  Include student criteria for success, or look fors, in a language that describes mastery of the learning target, not a score or grade.

Learning targets describe learning, not activities.

"Grading Smarter, Not Harder": Unit Plan & Learning Targets (A module breakdown); Part 1

Part 1

For my first weekly breakdown of Myron Dueck's "Grading Smarter, Not Harder" online workshop, we will be looking at learning targets.  The role of learning targets in a unit plan is to offer a positive transfer, linking prior knowledge to the ultimate academic goal for the unit.  An important key in ensuring students are learning and retaining the skills and concepts taught to them is letting them know what is coming up in their learning.  Surprises put the students at a disadvantage.  There are three strategies preparing students for the road ahead.
First, offering student-friendly unit plans.  An effective unit plan identifies which type of targets students will meet:

Solar System Exploration by NASA

Explore the planets, dwarf planets and moons of our solar system with NASA's Solar System Exploration.  Interactive displays take students, and teachers, on a trip to each celestial body in our solar system to learn specific features of each.  A great resource for a project, test prep, or just fun exploration.  This will help students studying Earth Science and Space in the upper elementary and middle school grades.

You can find a link to NASA's Solar System Exploration on the Staff Resources Padlet.

Search YouTube videos in the classroom without the distractions of ads and other video on the screen with this website, Tube.