Thursday, April 1, 2010

VoiceThread Math, Project-Based Learning, and Assessment

Here is the long awaited VoiceThread math project. Feast your eyes on the splendor of the -Oh, heck! Who am I kidding? Sometimes technology projects are down and dirty and sometimes they just should be. I like the idea of leaving the glamor behind and just going for the functional.

Anyway, I'm taking a course right now on assessment and we were recently asked to complete a survey of the strengths of our current assessment system. Some of the questions ask if my assessment system:
Provides interesting, active, exciting experiences?
Examines students within the context of their natural learning environment?
Puts emphasis on student strenghts?
Treats each student as a unique human being?
Engages the student in a process of self-reflection?
The survey (from EssentialSchools.org -link no longer active) goes on and I paraphrased a bit but I realize many of the assessments we do give students do not meet any of these criteria. The assessments that come closest to approaching these are the ones I do in conjunction with technology rich lessons. The project-based lessons I have been implementing more frequently are a step in the right direction. I'm trying to use more Universal design in my lessons. I'd like to hear from other teachers implementing UD and your thoughts on assessment.

2 comments:

Kelly Berry said...

Oh assessments. I have recently come to the conclusion on performance based assessments (PBAs) and projects using technology that I have to let me perfectionism go. Meaning, I may not have all 28 students complete the same type of project because not everyone is able to complete projects within a timely manner. I give them choices as much as possible and keep them within parameters I can facilitate. As I gain my repertoire of lessons and assessments, it has become easier to integrate PBA's and technology tasks. We should share assessments more!

Komunitas Bisa Menulis Blog - WA 0812.134.5587 said...

Good idea for learn math at elementary school