Day 12: Going on the Road

Making a presentation to young people is very different than one made to a group of adults. As teachers, we were probably made painfully aware of this the first time we got in front of a classroom. We need to get to the point and make it relevant. We need show that we are interested in what we are saying or our students won’t be either. And we need to keep our cool. Sometimes one of your “audience” members will do something to distract you from your train of thought. This when remembering 5 Fail-Safe Tips When You Forget or Get Flustered During a Presentation will help you out. I never thought of “fiddling with fodder” to buy some time to get my thoughts back. I may have to try that in my classroom.

Day 11 Readings: Portfolios and Assessment

An assessment portfolio is designed to show a student’s progress toward and achievement of certain objectives. They are collaborative in that students self-assess and reflect on the pieces they choose to include. It is a true teaching tool in that it engages the student’s metacognitive processes. They begin to understand what they know. However, until the culture of assessment changes, the use of portfolios as an alternative assessment will be hard to implement. The desire for objective, standardized, numerical scores still guides many parents, administrators, universities, and employers.

Day 10: Electronic Portfolios for Students

Digital portfolios provide a richer picture of what our students can do. Instead of the simple snapshot in time that a multiple-choice test might provide, the e-portfolio allows for a broader picture over time. For elementary students, the ability to show growth over time is an ideal purpose for a digital portfolio. For the parents of my students, that growth is their primary concern. As a sixth grade teacher, the opportunity to give my students more involvement in choosing what they feel is a true reflection of what they know or can do is one which I can’t pass up.