Assessment Post 2

Hi everyone and welcome back to my final blog!

Although quick, I have learned so much about assessment during this course! I want to discuss a few core topics that I have taken with me, learned and reflected on during my experience so far.

Assessment for Learning and as Learning 

This course really took into account the importance of different assessment tools and how they can be used to evaluate different areas. I have become comfortable with Diagnostic, Formative and Summative forms of assessment, and now know when I should be using what. 

I plan on using anecdotal records and checkbrics in my classroom, as they were my favourites to use and I found them the most valuable for tracking student progression. As well, I now recognize the importance of student conversations, and how these can be a useful tool to gauge student understanding.

The Importance of Learning Skills and Work Habits

Something else that I really took from this course was the importance of learning skills and work habits – before this class, I had no idea what learning skills even were! As educators, we can't just assess students on learning skills without teaching them. These are valuable life skills that can be assessed in any lesson, as the "development of learning skills and work habits is an integral part of a student’s learning" (Growing Success 9). However, if you don't go over them with students and embed them within your core teaching practices, how can you fairly assess their abilities?

Something I will take away regarding learning skills, is co-creating classroom rules and expectations at the start of my school year so students are on the same page. My AT reminds her students of these learning skills during activities and lessons, as well as has group discussions of their importance and what they look like. 

Circle of Control (OCT Professional Standards)

A big takeaway from this course for me was recognizing the educator's personal circle of control. As a teacher, we are all encompassing: parents, doctors, lawyers, social workers and many other professions wrapped into one. I am extremely empathetic to the stories of others, and I know this is a mindset I will need to take with me into my teaching practice in order to stay energetic. As stated today by one of our guest speakers, teachers make mistakes too, just as students – we often forget to recognize and accept this.

As teachers, we "facilitate the development of students as contributing citizens of Canadian society" (OCT Standards of Practice) and we must remember this, but remind ourselves what we can reasonably take on within that goal. 

Accommodations and Modifications 

Another thing I have taken away from this class is the importance of accommodations and modifications. Accommodations are just good teaching strategies – each student learns differently, and as educators, we need to adapt to this. Modifications are the changes in curriculum we make for students, depending on their learning needs. These modifications are "based on and modified by the results of continuous assessment and evaluation" (Growing Success 69). No matter what grade you are teaching, you will have students on a spectrum of grade level abilities – it is our role to accommodate to this, ensuring our teaching methods are reaching every student.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you were able to take something with you!

Cheers,
Madeleine 

References:

https://www.oct.ca/public/professional-standards/standards-of-practice

http://www.edtpatips.com/edtpa-more-on-how-to-create-a-positive-low-risk-learning-environment/
Growing Success (2010). Toronto, Ontario: Queens Printer. Retrieved from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/growsuccess.pdf
https://www.gettingsmart.com/2018/03/how-learning-and-developmental-science-can-inform-education-systems-reform/
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/classroom-tools-measure-student-learning-bethany-petty
https://richland.instructure.com/courses/1911107/pages/module-3-learning-goals?module_item_id=23507688