In Chapter 11 the focus is on "Engaging Students
in Performance Assessments and Reflective Learning”, this chapter features
excellent tactics to engage students along with facilitating students learning.
Some of these methods include Digital Portfolios, Preassessments, and .
Digital Portfolios
Digital Portfolios are an amazing tool for all students
to use since it provides accessibility, portability, and allows creativity.
Digital Portfolios allow for students to always be able to access their work,
while increasing their technological skills. When I read this section I
specifically thought of those students who grow up in foster homes, or those
whose parents do not maintain a stable environment. These digital portfolios
would allow these types of students a way of always being able to access their work,
or present their work, or even share it if they would like.
Digital Portfolios like all things have disadvantages
some of these disadvantages include knowledge and skill requirement, expensive
equipment, time and energy, etc. To me these disadvantages are things that can
be easily solved, for example, the knowledge and skill requirements can be
worked on and developed over time. Just like the knowledge and skill
disadvantage the expensive equipment disadvantage is relative because expensive
equipment such as computers are available at schools, public libraries, or even
internet cafes.
Preassessments
Preassessments are used by teachers
as a way of determining what students know or can already do in order to inform
subsequent plans for teaching. Preassessments can be given in many forms such
as pretest, writing prompts, graphic organizers, observations, and surveys.
These preassessments are given in order to activate prior knowledge, students
may not always remember immediately so they need to be reminded.
An effective way of carrying out these preassessments
in order to activate prior knowledge is through online surveys. Online surveys
are a poll that is delivered and charted online. These online surveys allow the
teacher to have an idea of what skills and knowledge students have as well as
what they need to learn. Online surveys are also an effective way of tracking
student progress.
Participation Systems
Participation systems are handheld
wireless tools that offer interactive learning options for teachers and
students. These systems use technologies such as wireless remote control devices
to create real-time electronic exchanges between students and teachers. These
systems allow for the teacher to involve the whole class in the lesson. An
example of a participation system would be a clicker.
Teaching with a clicker allows for active learning
since the students are participating rather than just listening to the teacher,
while also increasing student engagement since everyone’s ideas matter. It also
allows for real-time feedback, the clicker provides the teacher with immediate
student feedback on content knowledge and test performance without correcting
paper quizzes and entering grades.
References:
Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
