Task #3: Effective Teachers and Assessments 😊 by Michelle Gaspar https://padlet.com/mgaspar2/inttwoyplayv Understanding Assessments, CFU, and Strategies en-us 2019-09-14 14:17:17 UTC 2019-09-14 19:03:51 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.pics/1/image.webp?t=g_auto&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpadlet.net%2Ficons%2Fpng%2F1f34e.png 1. When is it appropriate to use formative assessment? When is it appropriate to use summative assessment? Give an example of each one. mgaspar2 https://padlet.com/mgaspar2/inttwoyplayv/wish/384118344 Formative assessments should be conducted often and naturally. It is most appropriate to use them during lessons as they check student progress and understanding of concepts in real time. Therefore, formative assessments allow us to improve our teaching as they inform us on our effectiveness. 

An example of a formative assessment, in an elementary classroom, is an exit ticket or drawing of a concept map over a certain topic just learned.

Summative assessments should be conducted at the end of a unit or school year. They are most appropiate to use when we need to evaluate student learning overtime against standards or benchmarks, therefore resulting in a ranking or grade.

An example of a summative assessment, in an elementary classroom, is an end-of-unit test or a district benchmark.
]]> 2019-09-14 14:22:13 UTC https://padlet.com/mgaspar2/inttwoyplayv/wish/384118344 2. What's your opinion of standardized testing? Why are lawmakers so sure that teachers will be more accountable? Is this a good idea? mgaspar2 https://padlet.com/mgaspar2/inttwoyplayv/wish/384118645 Lawmakers argue that standardized testing holds teachers and schools more accountable because when testing data is made public it can be used to evaluate school performance and teacher effectiveness.

Although I see the importance of summative testing and believe they’re necessary for overall success, I personally believe that school performance, teacher effectiveness, and student growth should be measured by a number of factors and not just one test. 

When so much attention, stress, and pressure is put on one test, I believe it puts teachers and students at risk.  When considering “student promotion,” for instance, I agree that students should not simply move on from one grade to another, as it can create learning gaps, however, other options need to be considered before holding students back.

In fact, as educators, we should always consider the whole student and their circumstances. We should plan to teach students in new, authentic ways that may work better and ensure that we don't use testing to negatively affect the well-being and self-esteem of our students! 
]]> 2019-09-14 14:24:07 UTC https://padlet.com/mgaspar2/inttwoyplayv/wish/384118645 3. Why is it important to check for understanding (CFU)? When should CFU occur? What are two things a teacher should remember when CFU? mgaspar2 https://padlet.com/mgaspar2/inttwoyplayv/wish/384119682 Checking for understanding (CFU) is invaluable because it occurs in real time while concepts are being taught. 

As a result, checking for understanding (CFU) allows us to verify our effectiveness and make the instructional decisions needed to ensure that we reach all students. 

For instance, when we check for understanding (CFU) we monitor student progress and therefore can provide one-on-one tutoring or reteach the whole class to clear up misconceptions if need be.  

Now, in order to do this constructively, a teacher should remember to ask questions and to call on students randomly in order to hold all students accountable. A teacher should also remember to reinforce correct answers, elaborate on incomplete answers, and respond effectively to wrong answers.
]]> 2019-09-14 14:30:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mgaspar2/inttwoyplayv/wish/384119682 4. Examine two CFU strategies and describe them briefly. Describe a situation in which they might be used. (One situation for each strategy). mgaspar2 https://padlet.com/mgaspar2/inttwoyplayv/wish/384120530 Two checking for understanding (CFU) strategies that I absolutely love and can use in my own elementary classroom are the "3-2-1 countdown" and the "letter to a friend" exercise.

The 3-2-1 countdown exercise is great for a closure activity as it not only ends the lesson but checks for understanding and leaves an impression on students. 

For instance, this activity is engaging as it requires students to list 3 new things learned, 2 things they found interesting, and 1 thing they can apply their learning to or still wonder about. 

The letter to a friend idea is a great way to close an activity or end the day as writing allows students to express and communicate their thoughts and feelings. 

I think this activity serves as a creative alternative to the “what did you learn today” question and can even be written to parents, grandparents, or siblings, etc.
]]> 2019-09-14 14:34:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mgaspar2/inttwoyplayv/wish/384120530