Master's Classes
There is nothing quite like trying to get a Master's degree while also working full time. Both require enormous amounts of attention so something always has to go on the back burner. Good thing I've gotten to be so good at juggling my workload and prioritizing. I am currently taking one class (as it would be highly ambitious and incredibly stupid of me to try to do two) at night. This class is "Introduction to educational research". It's quite boring. And a lot of work. I have to come up with a research proposal which entails first researching the topic (and finding one that holds my interest), deciding what I want to know about it and how I can gather more data on it. I have to have 15 citations in my paper. I managed to dig up 14 articles, unsure of how relevant they would be, and printed them off at school so I didn't have to waste my ink and paper. I took the day of work today to focus on this project as I'm always too tired when I come home from school. I managed to read all 14 of my articles as well as locate three more that referenced in a few of them. My topic is full day vs. half day kindergarten and whether or not full day kindergarten has any long term effects on student achievement. (It doesn't.) I am quite pleased with this topic as it did indeed manage to hold my interest long enough to spend the entire day reading articles about kindergarten and I'm still interested and excited by the topic. Most shocking of all is that I'm even more interested in now than I was before I started. :-) I'm supposed to have the first two sections of my paper written for class on the 27th. Not sure that will happen, but we'll see.
I also wrote my essay for a scholarship application. However, I'm not entirely certain I answered the question correctly. If any of you -- especially my teacher cohorts --- have a moment, could you please read it over and let me know whether or not I answered the question?? It's only about 200 words. Thanks! (Bear in mind this is an un-edited first draft.)
I'm having issues with the cut option, so I apologize now! I've tried about 5 times and I'm too annoyed now to mess with it anymore tonight. :-) Hopefully it's working.
Question: List and briefly describe two highly effective indicators (outside of test scores) you utilize in determining student achievement.
There are many different methods I use to assess my students’ achievement other than test scores. The most important method is meaningful observation through the use of monitoring notes. I spend time at the beginning of each new unit developing spreadsheets with lesson objectives and students’ names. As I monitor the students on their independent practice, I record what I notice. For example, in a recent math lesson on story problems, I recorded the method the student used to solve the problem and their comfort and accuracy with it. I watch for them to broaden from simple, tedious strategies to more abstract thinking.
Another method of assessment is quite similar to the monitoring notes. I also question the students while they’re working. I first watch what they’re doing and listen to the conversation they’re having with each other. Then I question them on the strategy they’re using, the work they’ve recorded, the investigation they’re working on, etc. I start with very broad questions to see where they’re understanding lies and then narrow it down as I try to have them explain what they’re doing. I believe these explanations and this questioning process promotes a deeper understanding and comfort with the material.
Both of these methods along with test scores and other strategies help to give me an accurate picture of my students’ abilities and achievements.
I also wrote my essay for a scholarship application. However, I'm not entirely certain I answered the question correctly. If any of you -- especially my teacher cohorts --- have a moment, could you please read it over and let me know whether or not I answered the question?? It's only about 200 words. Thanks! (Bear in mind this is an un-edited first draft.)
I'm having issues with the cut option, so I apologize now! I've tried about 5 times and I'm too annoyed now to mess with it anymore tonight. :-) Hopefully it's working.
Question: List and briefly describe two highly effective indicators (outside of test scores) you utilize in determining student achievement.
There are many different methods I use to assess my students’ achievement other than test scores. The most important method is meaningful observation through the use of monitoring notes. I spend time at the beginning of each new unit developing spreadsheets with lesson objectives and students’ names. As I monitor the students on their independent practice, I record what I notice. For example, in a recent math lesson on story problems, I recorded the method the student used to solve the problem and their comfort and accuracy with it. I watch for them to broaden from simple, tedious strategies to more abstract thinking.
Another method of assessment is quite similar to the monitoring notes. I also question the students while they’re working. I first watch what they’re doing and listen to the conversation they’re having with each other. Then I question them on the strategy they’re using, the work they’ve recorded, the investigation they’re working on, etc. I start with very broad questions to see where they’re understanding lies and then narrow it down as I try to have them explain what they’re doing. I believe these explanations and this questioning process promotes a deeper understanding and comfort with the material.
Both of these methods along with test scores and other strategies help to give me an accurate picture of my students’ abilities and achievements.