Week 11- Assessment

Assessment is the tangible evidence of learning. It is the proof that learning and understanding has taken place in a world that is saying students aren't learning in our school systems anymore.  The failure in education comes when we assume assessment is a synonym for test and specifically a standardized multiple choice test.

In my blended classroom, I am utilizing the Google Apps suite as a main hub for assessment.

The assessment tool I am showing is a simple way to use Google Docs, and Google Forms.
As part of the writing initiative for all content classes, students are working on their scientific writing skills by writing a detailed lab report after all lab investigations.

Here is the guideline and report template available for all students. This is available on edline as a file as well as on Edmodo.

Lab Report Template - Outline

My students type up the lab report and send it to me using the homework hand-in option on Edline. (See previous post and tech writing instruction as a how-to.)

My assessment tool for grading these lab reports is a simple form/rubric.

I have attached  the form and the spreadsheet that displays the results.

Lab Report Grading Form

Spreadsheet

If I print a copy of the spreadsheet, I can cut slips of feedback for the kids to see their grade and the specific comments section.


Other assessments I'm developing are simple concept checks with Socrative software on the iPads, live collaborate responses with Google Docs, and project presentation with Prezi or iMovie.

Week 10- Technical Writing

This week we learned how to create tech writings. This is going to be such a useful tool for our blended courses. To eliminate or at least address some of the issues with technology questions outside of the classroom, technical writings and instructions can be useful tools for frequently asked questions. This week my students are submitting lab-reports. In the future I would like to have them do the lab in class and type the lab report at home to submit.  I created instructions on how to submit their lab report on Edline as a homework hand in. 

I'm posting screen shots of the file to my e-portfolio.(Screen shots and screen casts have made my life easier!)

Week 9- How is it going?

A brief update on things:

              For my blended unit, I'm taking a different approach on things then what I originally intended. To begin, my topic has changed from physics to chemistry, I'm trying to incorporate more writing and reading components and I'm also utilizing Edmodo more as I learn how useful it is as a main classroom portal.
            The reason I chose to change my topic is based on the "learn from your mistakes" model of teaching.  This year I did a chemistry unit and was just beginning to utilize some of the tools we are learning in our class. As my unit finished I found myself thinking about what I could have done. So I've decided to redesign this specific unit incorporating  apps I am discovering, more Google docs for collaborative investigations and more writing and reading components.

A new link to my outline in progress (I'm still working on the physics unit if you'd like to keep up with the previous link as well).

Blended Chemistry Unit

I also wanted to update on a blended unit I'm working on for my RTI class. My students are extremely interested in learning about the potentials colonization of Mars. This started as a text based reading exercise for comprehension and vocabulary skills. We read two articles about terraforming Mars and the current Mars missions. Comprehension was impressive because of the interest level.  The questions the students were coming up with after this were wonderful, inspiring, and in some ways overwhelming. We began by typing just a list of research questions. From there, I decided to create an Edmodo site that the students could interact on as they began to research.

SUCCESS!

They were amazed with the live Google Doc that we collaborated on for signing up for our research questions. I've posted different polls that the students have commented on. Students are posting support articles to the research questions.  I feel as if the students are driving the content of the unit which has been challenging but exciting as a teacher to have such an open ended goal.

 I'm posting some snapshots of this specific unit!! Click on the pictures to enlarge!

We've used the polls option for opening discussions.

                    

   These are some of the files we are sharing during our class. 

We used a live document to write our research questions and sign up for research assignments.

Week 8- Screen Cast

The Screen Cast was created with the Show Me App.  This app is great for tutorials of skills that involve processes that must be practiced for mastery.

This specific tutorial will be used to help students understand how a chemical equation supports the Law of Conservation of Matter. The students will watch this explanation of counting atoms on the reactants and products side of a chemical equation and then watch several practice videos to work on the skill themselves.




The idea of using this tutorial as a flipped assignment is an option. Students would watch a few mini tutorial or lecture style videos prior to class and then show their understanding during practice in class.  As of now, it is used as an additional resource from what we learn in class.

Week 7- Blended Unit Development

Current Outline for our Blended Unit.

I'm really enjoying the collaboration time provided in class. I find myself thinking about how my unit can be modified for different grade levels and how extended lessons can be made for higher level students. It is a work in progress. I"m embedding the  link as a live document that will show the progress and changes I make as I go. I published the document as a website that can be viewed from any web browser. *(Another cool aspect of being in this class!)

Here is a link to the document Blended Outline