I agree with aspects of what Grant Wigg discussed in the article “Defining Assessment” because he puts focus on more meaningful and authentic forms for teachers to incorporate assessment into education. First, the fact that he indicates that traditional tests like standardized tests, do not fully capture a student’s understanding or ability to apply knowledge. I think that there should be more focus on student-centered learning where our assessments reflect real-world skills so we can provide our students with better feedback. We know that not all students are good test takers for a variety of reasons like: test anxiety, time constraints related to assessment, format of the test not aligning with how a test is formatted, or the ability to memorize concepts as opposed to a deeper or more critical understanding of the material. An aspect that I disagree with is that not all subject areas will have as easy of a time implementing authentic assessments into their curriculum. For all teachers to get on board with this approach there would be a significant time commitment so that planning is appropriate.
Personally, I use project-based learning in my courses to actively engage students in real-world and meaningful projects. It promotes deeper learning as students are asked to critically think and solve more complex problems rather than simply memorizing facts, they are asked to apply their knowledge in new ways thereby demonstrating their understanding of the material. I can bring real-world issues/challenges into the classroom to ensure that the experience is more relevant and engaging for students, so they see the practical value of what I’m presenting them with. Many of the projects require that the students choose or design their project based on interests so that they have more motivation and increased engagement as they have a greater sense of ownership in their learning.
I include technology in my classroom through digital platforms like Google Forms, Kahoot for exit tickets, quizzes and quiz preparation. We have digital portfolios that allow student to showcase their work and track their progress throughout the year. Our projects/presentations are created using Canva, Google Slides, PowerPoint. Group work is completed using Google Doc and Google Slides to encourage collaborative work. I would encourage new teachers to try a variety of technology once they are comfortable with the curriculum as it will be less stressful to try at that point. Should something go wrong with technology it will be easier to recover from an issue. They should feel comfortable asking their peers for suggestions on technology that might make their preparation for courses easier.
Personally, I use project-based learning in my courses to actively engage students in real-world and meaningful projects. It promotes deeper learning as students are asked to critically think and solve more complex problems rather than simply memorizing facts, they are asked to apply their knowledge in new ways thereby demonstrating their understanding of the material. I can bring real-world issues/challenges into the classroom to ensure that the experience is more relevant and engaging for students, so they see the practical value of what I’m presenting them with. Many of the projects require that the students choose or design their project based on interests so that they have more motivation and increased engagement as they have a greater sense of ownership in their learning.
I include technology in my classroom through digital platforms like Google Forms, Kahoot for exit tickets, quizzes and quiz preparation. We have digital portfolios that allow student to showcase their work and track their progress throughout the year. Our projects/presentations are created using Canva, Google Slides, PowerPoint. Group work is completed using Google Doc and Google Slides to encourage collaborative work. I would encourage new teachers to try a variety of technology once they are comfortable with the curriculum as it will be less stressful to try at that point. Should something go wrong with technology it will be easier to recover from an issue. They should feel comfortable asking their peers for suggestions on technology that might make their preparation for courses easier.