July+21

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Rod started by reading a couple different selections by Billy Collins that related to labeling and categorizing people.Grading may be a contributing factor to categorizing and labeling people. We had a discussion on the possibility of our attitudes changing had we been told how many writing assignments to complete in order to earn a grade. Class debate over how standards and benchmarks affect teaching and student learning. Read two articles by Gorlewski and Narter. The question of “How do you grade that?” really means “How do you grade that so everyone gets an A?” The article over portfolio assessment was confusing for a couple class members-they wanted more detailed explanations of how to present the portfolio so it is authentic.Rod suggested Susan Swift’s article to help with this confusion.Susan is part of the IWP in Dubuque. The portfolio article spurred a discussion of Morningside’s portfolio process.The outcomes of the portfolio are used as discussion point for the advisor and the student.The portfolio is selective and reflective and the students like it. Rubric and online grade book discussion over the messy subjective flaws Standardized tests have a time and a place but should they drive curriculum, policy, money, laws, initiatives, etc? Tomorrow we will look at context for testing, response, process, climate, writing to learn, assessment, growth and development A picture was drawn on the board with the above mentioned elements and how they are related (this was where I was unable to follow along visually-sorry guys-I don’t have a picture for you). Tomorrow you need to have your copies on the wiki and a print copy by Thursday (tomorrow). The acknowledgements, bios, preface, and table of contents draft are due tomorrow. You also need to have all of your writing together for tomorrow because you will do a writing reflection over your writing portfolio on Thursday.This is all on the premise that the teachers are going to be in the students’ position.
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