Video Project - Sense of TASTE

Wow, that was fun. We were asked to create a video using Windows Movie Maker OR Microsoft Photostory 3. To be quite honest, I tried downloading and using Photostory - I gave up trying to figure it out. To me is wasn't a drag and drop program. I then tried Movie Maker and had a much better experience. Very easy! In the past, I have used online programs like One True Media in the past and found Movie Maker to be comparable and simple to use.

I designed a movie around the sense of Taste. Using images, a storyline (a Taste poem) and a tune of "I'm a little teapot," I think it turned out GREAT. If you read the poem and sing the song together you will see they have the same tune.

This was a great experience for me but I also can see how it will be a great experience for kids and a great tool to be used by teachers for performance based assessment. Kids will be required to research the topic, analyze what needs to be done, they can collaborate with other students, and ultimately produce an authentic product by themselves that will be seen by others. All the while following a rubric that can be created with the students input. Creating a video is a terrific way to speak to the audio, visual, linguistic, and other elements that students can incorporate. What a great tool to use in the classroom!

To my video please click on this link: http://www.freewebs.com/hmidema/video.htm

Authentic Assessment - HAVE to watch video

You have to watch this video on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW04F113nIY

Seattle public schools released a video on performance based assessment. It truly makes me want to move to Seattle! Rain and all. Seattle is shifting assessment to a performance base assessment requiring students demonstrate what they know, a mastery of skills in 5 areas:

1. Communication
2. Quantitative and scientific reasoning
3. Democracy, diversity and community stewardship
4. The arts
5. Career knowledge and life skills

With the understanding, that over there future career they will have to do a project, portfolio or demonstrate what they know.

Rubrics play an essential part in performance based assessment. It is critical for the teacher to be thorough with the criteria and deadlines of how the kids will be graded upfront. It also made sense to me to include the students in the creation process of the rubrics. They understand exactly what they need to get an A or a 4 and it keeps the kids engaged through the entire process.

Performance based instruction needs to start early in the early grades. It is a process and cannot start in 9th grade or after.

I really enjoyed this video, it made so much sense to me. In the real world I never take a paper and pencil test rather I am evaluated on my actions and what I contribute on a daily basis. Why wouldn't we do the same for our students?

1620 - teacher tube

I watched an interesting video from teacher tube called 1620. The video opened with the number stating it is not just the year the pilgrims came to N.America. It is also the average number of paper/pencil tests the average student will take from grade 1 thru 12. The video actually did the math and calculated how many tests a student will take in elementary, middle and high school. Astonishing to say the least.

It then posed a very good question: Are the tests true assessments of what students can do? Are these paper/pencil test the best way to assess what a student knows or is there a better way?

2008 - yes, it is the current year, but we know there is a better way to assess student's knowledge like authentic assessment and move beyond paper/pencil tests. We know we need to start testing them on ability versus wrote memory but yet we don't. Shame on us!

If you get a chance look up 1620 on teacher tube. Nothing we don't already know but nothing we are acting on.

Mid-semester feedback

We were asked to create a powerpoint presentation and include a reflection about what we have learned so far in the class, how we would explain this class to future students, what we would change about the class and what we liked about the class.

Here is an excerpt from my presentation:

§"So far I have had an amazing experience. My eyes are wide open to so many ways to incorporate technology into my future classroom. This class is a necessity for today’s teacher. I can’t imagine entering this profession without having learned all that I have. I know there is so much more to learn, this is just the beginning."

For the high-achiever level we had to add into the presentation audio, video or podcasts. I added in a audio from an I Love Lucy episode. Please take a moment and review my mid-semester feedback presentation. I think you might find the beginning somewhat amusing.

My webpage houses my presentation:

http://www.freewebs.com/hmidema/midsemesterfeedback.htm

Crazy for crossword puzzles

We were asked to create a crossword puzzle in two formats, one in excel and the other using a web based program. This was so much fun and made me realize how much I can see so many uses of using a stand alone program like excel in the classroom. It allows the student to focus on one format and become proficient in using that format. Sometimes less can be more. Excel is usually considered for organizing data and figuring out mathematical formulas. In lieu of a calculator students can use the auto sum features in excel. They can apply a stand-alone program like excel to their everyday lives. For instance, they can create weekly and monthly budgets using their allowance as a base, link pages and formulas together. A stand-alone program is a great hands-on tool that can be easily incorporated into the classroom curriculum.

Since excel is a hands-on and visual program it would allow kids to really see and interactive with the vocabulary words. By using excel it is no longer wrote memory but rather inspires kids to become involved.

The only thing that I would do differently is to make sure the program was free before I plugged in all of my information only to be told there was a cost. I really am glad that I was able to learn how to apply excel in a different fashion that what I am normally use to doing.

http://www.freewebs.com/hmidema/crosswordpuzzle.htm

Group 4 - Meeting 2.

Since I typed up this weeks summary of our meeting I think I can copy/paste what I summed up. We had a great meeting see below notes and comments. Looking forward to next week with the Literacy Learning Ladies.

Inquiry-based Learning.

Inquiry-based learning was our next topic of conversation. Some specific comments were:

• Keeps students engaged.
• Allows for students to discover answers themselves.
• Doesn’t give answers, it focused more on the process and creating a resolution.
• More avenues to ‘inquire’ about.
• Students have to explore outside of the given site.
• It isn’t about memorizing facts.
• Inquiry = Involvement.
• Allows students to work at a higher level of thinking.

We all agreed that humans start the inquiry process from birth and aren’t even aware they are carrying it through life.

ISD – Instructional Systems Design.

This topic started with ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation). It was noted that ISD is a step-by-stop evaluation of students needs.

The group noted evaluation the importance of evaluation. Evaluation at the end is critical just like when we self-evaluate our own work. It is important for students to make self-evaluations because it tells the teacher what needs to be re-focused/re-taught. It also gives the teacher clues to the students interests. Lastly, it is a great way for the student to reflect and use high-levels of thinking.

Software. the WINNER – INSPIRATION!

Software was next up. We discussed the ease and creativity of Inspiration and the lack of user-friendliness for Gliffy, Meister and others.

Constructivism.

Back to the group project. The after reviewing the assignment one more time we all came together in a collaborative effort and agreed on roles.

News on the Newsletter

I was taught another interactive way to communicate with parents (when I become a teacher). A great tool to communicate to parents with is an online newsletter. I used letterpop.com to create a mock newsletter of the five senses. I can see myself using this forum later on, lots of fun and an effective form of communication. Check out my newsletter at:

http://letterpop.com/newsletters/?id=92703-97fdc1