Tests are just a part of assessment, but they are not the be all, end all.
Definition- The process of gathering and discussing information on student progress.
There are many components linked to assessment:
1.) Evaluation - interpretation of the collected data. By giving students a grade, you are evaluating them.
2) Measurement - a system of measures used to assess students progress.
3) Feedback - If a student can receive accurate feedback it can truly help a student improve themselves and their abilities in the classroom.
There are also 3 different types of assessment:
1.) Diagnostic (Finding out)= Pre-Assessment tool which assesses a student's prior knowledge on a topic.
Examples- KWL, checklists, self-evaluation, etc.
2.) Formative (Keeping track & Checking-up)= Ongoing informal feedback on a student's performance that helps students improve.
Examples- Exit tickets, graphic organizers, observation, etc.
3.) Summative (Making Sure)= Post-Assessment tests that attempt to "summarize" what a student has learned.
Examples- Unit test, project presentation, demonstration, etc.
There is also:
Authentic Assessment- Authentic="real". Students must realize the meaning of what they are doing and they can use this experience in their real lives.
What is it like?
* Learning by doing
* Student participation
* Student applys abilities
* A gift
* Multi-dimensional
What is it not like?
* Punishment
* Mono-dimensional
What can be assessed?
Readiness- Skill and content knowledge
* If students are not ready they will not absorb knowledge and information.
Interest- Interest surveys, interest centers, and self-selection.
* Great way to keep students interested and more linked into their personalities.
Learning Profile- Areas of strengths and weaknesses, work preferences, and self awareness.
* Useful when trying to engage students in the classroom.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
What is Social Studies?
Social Studies began as a subject mainly focused on memorization of facts. Now, social studies is a body of integrative knowledge, concepts, skills, generalizations and theories in the Social Studies fields. Social Studies has multiple elements. Social Studies is powerful if it is:
Meaningful: Engaging, connects students with real-world situations.
Integrative: Draws on more than one discipline, subject or skill set.
Value-based: Strengthens students' sense of democratic values and social responsibility.
Challenging: Incorporates different perspectives and draws on students' critical-thinking skills.
Active: Participatory, makes use of manipulatives or physical environment.
These elements may be linked to Social Studies but can also be applied to any other field in education.
Surprising!
Check out the image below to see what percentage student retain in memory after reading, listening, discussing, etc.
It is so important to not only present Social Studies to students, but to make sure students become architects, historians, archaeologists, etc. Students learn better when they are immersed in a subject fully. Facts do not explain everything, facts only name things and can easily be forgotten, so it is very important to understand the concept so students can understand how the facts apply. Now if students can understand concepts, students can combine those concepts and begin to make generalizations or theories and make statements of what they have learned. Generalizations can lead to meta-cognition. Meta-cognition is "learning about learning" and "thinking about thinking". In general, meta-cognition is the ability to apply what you have learned and combine generalizations, concepts, and facts to become a better learner.
"Social Studies should not just be "hands on" it should also be "minds on""
-Dr. Smirnova
Meaningful: Engaging, connects students with real-world situations.
Integrative: Draws on more than one discipline, subject or skill set.
Value-based: Strengthens students' sense of democratic values and social responsibility.
Challenging: Incorporates different perspectives and draws on students' critical-thinking skills.
Active: Participatory, makes use of manipulatives or physical environment.
These elements may be linked to Social Studies but can also be applied to any other field in education.
Surprising!
Check out the image below to see what percentage student retain in memory after reading, listening, discussing, etc.
It is so important to not only present Social Studies to students, but to make sure students become architects, historians, archaeologists, etc. Students learn better when they are immersed in a subject fully. Facts do not explain everything, facts only name things and can easily be forgotten, so it is very important to understand the concept so students can understand how the facts apply. Now if students can understand concepts, students can combine those concepts and begin to make generalizations or theories and make statements of what they have learned. Generalizations can lead to meta-cognition. Meta-cognition is "learning about learning" and "thinking about thinking". In general, meta-cognition is the ability to apply what you have learned and combine generalizations, concepts, and facts to become a better learner.
"Social Studies should not just be "hands on" it should also be "minds on""
-Dr. Smirnova
Thursday, September 3, 2015
And so my journey begins....
So, its only day 2 of Social Studies Methods, but I already have a great feeling that I will have so many tools at the end of this class that will help my journey as I become an Elementary School teacher. I can't wait to see what is next to learn! Check out the video below, "The Vision of Students Today".
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