comfort zone and find new ways to bring technology into our classrooms. The project I have chosen to evaluate is my week two project in which I discovered the concept of screencasts and the program Jing. I have chosen to use the rubric for the course and self-evaluate. In looking at it again, I completed it as a demonstration of how I could possibly use this in my classroom. I remember doing it several times to get the rhythm down of speaking and clicking on the screen and yet if I was to do it again, I would have taken the video even further through the school website. In the video on Assessments, one of the 15 concepts of a well-rounded evaluation of a student was whether they were able to solve technological problems before asking for help. This idea sums up the entire class the last five weeks. Each time I have tackled a new web tool there has been no one here to ask for help but I was able to figure it out by trial and error. I did not agree at the beginning of the class, but now believe that my students must be encouraged to work through their own tech problems. If I was to grade my own project, I would take 5 points off under completion. I was able to figure out how to use Jing but now would go complete it with more depth. This would give me a total score of 155.
In my own classroom, I allow students to re-write their essays if they wish. It is always amazing to me how many students do not take me up on this offer, even though it would raise their grade. Self-assessment is necessary to move forward. My week two project did accomplish the goal of the class and I believe showed that I am learning. This is a web-tool I will be using and have downloaded the "yellow sun" on my computer, my husband's with a promise to teach him and my school computer.
Projects rubric:
| Category | Superior (160 pts) | Sufficient (128 pts) | Below Standard (112 pts) |
| Understanding of web tool /160 | Shows strong understanding of activity, concept, or tool and maximize learning | Shows adequate understanding of activity, concept, or tool and benefit learning. | Shows little understanding of activity, concept, or tool and may not benefit learning. |
| Practical evidence /160 | Shows strong evidence of ideas and insights gained from this course and how they are applied to classroom. | Shows evidence of ideas and insights from this course and how they are applied to classroom. | Shows little evidence of ideas and insights from this course or how they are applied to the classroom. |
| Completion /150 | Completed in a thoughtful and meaningful manner. | Completed, but with minimal quality. | Not all projects are completed and of those that are, some are minimal quality. |
| Grammar and Spelling /150 | Includes no mistakes in grammar or spelling. | Includes few grammar and spelling mistakes. | Includes numerous grammar and spelling mistakes. |
| Sequencing /150 | Sequenced, showing if-then thinking and the logical order required to complete skill, solve problem, or use tool. | Not always sequenced, showing incomplete if-then thinking and understanding of logical order required to complete skill. | Confusing making it difficult to replicate activities; little understanding of logic or if-then thinking evidenced. |
This sounds like my life during this class. I always encourage teachers to take risks and not to worry if it seems daunting, just get in there! But when it comes to me and having tech problems, I'm the first to jump up and try to get help from the IT department (or my techie husband). The sheet that lists the "25 Common Tech Problems" I really sat with the problems that I encountered. Jing was definitely one to learn. I encountered several problems, but stuck with it and, after creating several screencasts, think that I learned how to do it! What you said about the process of doing the work and that being assessed is brilliant. I think teachers often take the sole grading role and don't have students in the grading process. I often don't know what the students went through during the process so I'm left to assess what is in front of me. If we can encourage students to assess themselves, and try again (tough one), then I think the assessment piece will be more authentic. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like my life during this class. I always encourage teachers to take risks and not to worry if it seems daunting, just get in there! But when it comes to me and having tech problems, I'm the first to jump up and try to get help from the IT department (or my techie husband). The sheet that lists the "25 Common Tech Problems" I really sat with the problems that I encountered. Jing was definitely one to learn. I encountered several problems, but stuck with it and, after creating several screencasts, think that I learned how to do it! What you said about the process of doing the work and that being assessed is brilliant. I think teachers often take the sole grading role and don't have students in the grading process. I often don't know what the students went through during the process so I'm left to assess what is in front of me. If we can encourage students to assess themselves, and try again (tough one), then I think the assessment piece will be more authentic. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI am often perplexed when some students choose not to update their work for an improved grade as well. Self assessment and reflection important aspects of our personal learning and I think your students will appreciate being able to self assess and discuss with you their assessment. I am happy you were able to persevere in your effort to learn Jing. I always feel that when I work through learning something new (with lots of trial and error) I feel more knowledgeable than if someone "showed me" how to do it.
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you when it comes to giving kids second chances and not having them take you up on it. It is extremely frustrating. On a happier note, I am a huge fan of screencasting. I have been doing it for a few years now, and I would really like to get my students to do some of their own screencasting this fall. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you when it comes to giving kids second chances and not having them take you up on it. It is extremely frustrating. On a happier note, I am a huge fan of screencasting. I have been doing it for a few years now, and I would really like to get my students to do some of their own screencasting this fall. Good luck!
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