Week 7 Discussion Responses

Question-

Topic 7 DQ 1

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of activities such as: tests, group work, presentations, and written work as a means of assessment. What type of assessment activity could you use that you typically have not used in the past? Explain why.

STUDENT ANSWERS-

Topic 7 DQ 2

How does assessment in your class reflect/support the overall mission or goals of the institution?

Kyra

1 posts

Re: Topic 7 DQ 2

Hello everyone,

I am currently a kindergarten teacher at an elementary school in Arizona. It is my first year teaching and I already feel like I have learned so much so far in this teaching career. I reflect on all of my assessments I give to my students to ensure they are understanding the content in the lessons. To start with, my school is a new campus this year. Our mission is “We are confident that our commitment to higher expectations and structure makes Sun Valley an optimal choice for families seeking educational excellence” (SVA, 2020). I think my organization depicts the true meaning behind how a school should facilitate their commitment and expectations for their scholars. The school I work at also holds all students to high expectancies and strive to create a learning foundation for all students. All students are learning at accelerated paces a level higher.

 I believe our overall mission and goal of my organization is connected to how I create my assessments in class. A way I illustrate the connection is that I ensure I have an end goal of what I am trying to ensure my students understand. I do this by creating learning objectives that match with my curriculum. My school uses Beyond Textbook and Saxon Math. I align my lesson plans and goals based on the criteria. Another way I ensure I connect my assessments with the mission is that we hold high expectations for all of our students and we strive for excellence. A way I create connections is to make all of my activities and lesson plans rigorous for my students to be challenged for greatness. I also ensure my lesson plans support differentiation for all students. This could be simply for students who are ELL, IEP’s and other special plans put into place for students accommodation needs.

As an educator, we must show our best selves to our students. Meaning, we must be the best role models and training guides to our students. According to McKeachie & Svinicki (2014), “A teacher, whether by accident or by design, is more to students than a content expert. The teacher is a model of all that it means to be a scholar, a thinking person. We teach not only what we know but also what we are. Part of the ethics of teaching is to realize this responsibility and to become the best models we can be, which requires some serious self-reflection on our personal standards of scholarship and living” (p. 324).

 McKeachie, W., & Svinicki, M. (2014). McKeachie’s teaching tips. Cengage. (14 ed.). Boston, MA. Retrieved from https://www.gcumedia.com/digital-resources/cengage/2013/mckeachies-teaching-tips_14e.php

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