“Make no judgments where you have no compassion.” – Anne McCaffrey

Initial post:  Address each of the following discussion points using one of the following technology tools to enhance your written response (Smore (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.,Prezi (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., PowToon (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., Sliderocket (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., Screencast O matic (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., or other presentation software). You may want to perfect your use of the same digital tool used during Week 4, or you might try a different digital tool to expand your skills! Utilizing technology in this discussion will further prepare you for the Final Project in Week 6. If you do not have direct classroom experience, you may respond to these questions based on your own understanding of what occurs in your own children’s school, or a professional or volunteer position you’ve held outside of a school setting.

In Chapter 8, Lopez sends a resounding message: “Assessment is not about you as a teacher; it is about your students” (p.97). He goes on to say that our reason for assessing students should be grounded in our commitment to use the information collected in a way that helps us generate greater success for our students. 

• Share your perspective      on Lopez’s quote and statement above. Describe how your mindset has      changed or been validated.
• Consider the 4 questions      Lopez lists under “Defending our Assessment Practices” (p.98). How might      you use these questions in your current or anticipated practice? What      value might it add to your practice by keeping these questions in mind?
• In what ways have you      succeeded/failed to make students your partner in assessment?

Required Resources

Text

Lopez, D. (2013). No excuses university: How six exceptional systems are revolutionizing our schools (2nd ed.). Turnaround Schools Publications.

• Chapter 8: Assessment      (p. 94) 
  • This chapter addresses       the “bureaucracy of assessment” and how to best use the leadership team       to create components of the assessment plan.
• Chapter 9: Data      management (p. 108) 
  • This chapter addresses       the importance of collecting data and utilizing it to make data-driven       academic decisions. .  It addresses sharing, accessibility and the       arrangement of data for academic success.  

Newman, R. (2013). Teaching and learning in the 21st century: Connecting the dots (2nd ed.). Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/

• Chapter 11: Assessment for      Learning 
  • This chapter introduces       the role of assessment in the classroom and explores the difference       between assessment of learning and assessment for learning.
• Chapter 12: Using Data      to Drive Instruction 
  • This chapter discusses       data-driven decision making, the components that make the process       successful and analyzes a variety of the data-driven models, including       how technology tools can assist in predicting student performance and       making the work of the teacher easier.

Multimedia

Stenhousepublishers. (2010, November 30). Rick Wormeli: Formative and summative assessment (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJxFXjfB_B4

• In this video, Rick      Wormeli explains the purposes of formative and summative assessment in the      instructional process.

TED Talks. (2012, August). Daphne Koller: What we’re learning from online education (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/daphne_koller_what_we_re_learning_from_online_education.html

• In this video, Daphne      Koller discusses the power of providing free, open access to learning      opportunities through MOOCs.

TEDxTalks. (2011, August 14). TEDxSoCal – Dr. Brian Stecher – Cultivating thriving schools (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmYdW871pL4

Websites

Common Core State Standards Initiative (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (http://www.corestandards.org/)

• Official Common Core      State Standards website.

Recommended Resources

Article

Marzano, R. J. & Pickering, D. J. (2007). The case for and against homework (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Educational Leadership, 64(6), 74-79.  Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar07/vol64/num06/The-Case-For-and-Against-Homework.aspx

• This article discusses      the issue around homework and how it needs to be improved and add value to      instruction. 

Stiggins, R., & Chappuis, J. (2006). What a difference a word makes a word makes: Assessment for learning rather than assessment of learning helps students succeed (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Journal of Staff Development, 27(1), 10-14.  Retrieved fro