Jeff Kupperman: Category EDS 302

Ways to assess learning

Jeff Kupperman — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:51:06 -0500

I've cleaned up notes from our brainstorming last week. If I've missed anything, please comment on this entry.

1. Tests -- can be involve writing, speaking, choosing (multiple choice), manipulating other kinds of symbols (e.g. math). Aim may be to assess ability to recall information, draw conclusions, synthesize ideas, make causal inferences, and reflect on knowledge. Tests may "unintentionally" also assess knowledge of standard English, experience with "middle class" life and values, fine motor skills, general writing and verbal skills, reading comprehension, the ability to follow directions, general memory ability, access to help outside school, and even the ability to sit still.

2. Performance assessment/Authentic assessments. Aim is usually to assess the ability to perform a particular task or sequence of tasks and respond to problems in the physical world. Outcome may be influenced by more general abilities such as fine motor (physical) skills.

3. Informal observation of activity (individual or small group, or whole class situations). Can help assess group interaction, interest/motivation, and leadership. In group situations especially, what one sees may be influenced heavily by a student's personality -- e.g., how outgoing they are -- or their popularity among peers.

4. Individual interviews. Can probe understanding in ways not dependent on writing skills or peer influences. Still, may be influenced heavily by general verbal skills, and the ability to respond "on the spot."

5. Design tasks. Can assess creativity and problem-solving over time. Depending on the task, may also assess organizational skills, persistence, and interpersonal skills.

6. Portfolios. Can give a big picture of strengths and weaknesses, organizational skills, improvement over time. May be especially influenced by access to experiences and resources outside of school.

EDS 302 Debate 2 Documents

Jeff Kupperman — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:50:43 -0400

Critic Profiles

Jane Addams

Catherine Esther Beecher

Joe Clark

John Goodlad

Deborah Meier

John Ogbu

Lisbeth Schorr

Paulo Friere

Jesse Jackson

Ivan Illich

Margaret Spellings

Seymour Papert

Alfie Kohn

John Dewey

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

E. D. Hirsch

Teacher Position Papers

Case 4: Scenario

Case 4: Teacher position

Case 5: Scenario

Case 5: Teacher Position

Case 6: Scenario

Case 6: Teacher position

EDS 302 book presentations

Jeff Kupperman — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:48:43 -0400

One size fits few presentation.ppt

One Size Fits Few

In Defense of Our Children.ppt

In Defense of Our Children

Learning and Forgetting shortened.ppt

The Book of Learning and Forgetting

God’s Choice.ppt

God's Choice

The Mind at Work.ppt

The Mind at Work

EDS 302 The Power of Their Ideas.ppt

The Power of Their Ideas

EDS 302 Debate 1 Documents

Jeff Kupperman — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:31:38 -0400

Character Profiles

A. S. Neill

Maxine Greene

James Bryant Conant

Thurgood Marshall

Plato

Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Jonathan Kozol

Allan Bloom

John Locke

Cesar Chavez

Jaime Escalante

B. F. Skinner

Mortimer Adler

Teacher Position Papers

Case 1: teacher position

Case 2: teacher position

Case 3: teacher position