Reflective Blog #4

Assessment for Learning - My journal article presentation and this week's technology project narrowed my focus to the following assessments:

~ Be part of effective planning of teaching and learning.
~ Focus on how students learn.
~ Promote commitment of learning goals and a shared understanding of the criteria by which they are assessed.
~ Recognize the full range of achievements of all learners.
~ Develops learner's capacity for self-assessment so that they can become reflective and self-managing.

The vision for vodcasts is that of guided independent study, individualized education, and inquiry-based education. Students watch the podcast lecture, conduct lab experiments, finish projects and take assessments at their own pace. Benchmarks are in place for students interested in meeting minimum requirements and allows for gifted students to get ahead. This article addressed both AFL and my philosophy that not all students learn the same. I believe a multiple learning approach should be used to effectively reach all students.

E-Portfolios - Before this activity and from the course notes, I had an idea of what an electronic portfolio was but I had never seen one. As one of my graduation requirements for my education degree, I had to make one (pre-electronic days). It included my educational philosophy and the culmination of my best work, lesson plans and projects. I was told it would be a great tool to have at interviews and to get a job. In truth, no one ever requested to see it. In retrospect, I feel the portfolio was not successful because I didn't believe in it. The portfolio was a just another project and once completed, I would not have had any problems leaving it with the university.

However, I feel differently about e-portfolios. I find that I am excited about the process, believe in its value and already feeling ownership of the work I am including in mine. It's exciting to know that I will be able to share it with others and that others will be able to give input and feedback. I like the fact that I can continously update the artificats and mostly, it will be an important assessment tool I can use for personal reflection on my growth in technology.