Learning Activities and Self-Reflection in Student Focused Assessment Model (pt3)

This is the third of six articles on the assessment and reporting practice used at my school for the past 15 years This post explores day-to-day student engagement, reflection, and self-assessment. While things have evolved over time, and recent changes to our provincial reporting requirements are challenging the way we do things, this is a […]

Posted by milesmac on October 16th, 2012 | 2 Comments Posted in Assessment, Pedagogy

Goal Setting in Student Focused Assessment Model (pt2)

This is the second of six articles on the assessment and reporting practice used at my school for the past 15 years This post covers the Goal Setting element. While things have evolved over time, and recent changes to our provincial reporting requirements are challenging the way we do things, this is a snapshot of […]

Posted by milesmac on October 12th, 2012 | 1 Comment Posted in Assessment, Pedagogy

Success because of, or in spite of...? Nobel Prize Winner's Grade School Report

I have occasionally experienced this headmaster's frustration with students and in my early years may even have penned one or two comments with a similar sentiment. It's unclear whether the intent was to motivate or ridicule - probably a bit of both.   This is young John Gurdon's report card. Gurdon recently won the 2012 […]

Posted by milesmac on October 12th, 2012 | No Comments Posted in Assessment

Overview of Student Focused Assessment Model (pt1)

This is the first of six articles on the assessment and reporting practice used at my school for the past 15 years or so. While things have evolved over time, and recent changes to our provincial reporting requirements are challenging the way we do things, this is a snapshot of the ideal, our grand goals, […]

Posted by milesmac on October 12th, 2012 | 7 Comments Posted in Assessment, Pedagogy

90% Test Mark. Yay! Right? Not always.

This is the example I give to explain why an overall percent doesn't tell the whole story, and can sometimes slow progress. Three students take a math test of 100 questions: ten questions each for ten different units. Here are the results: Each of the students achieves an average of 90% on the test. They all got the same grade, […]

Posted by milesmac on October 10th, 2012 | No Comments Posted in Pedagogy

Commence #BYOD publishing and text me your essay #FTW

Student: do we have to type our essays? Me: yes, then you can run it through paperrater.com and get some feedback on grammar and spelling Student: but there are no computers available in the room right now Me. type it on your device, in the notes app Student: don't you need wifi for that? Me: […]

Posted by milesmac on October 10th, 2012 | No Comments Posted in Pedagogy

Why Learn History when you can DO History

Two words: SOCIAL ARTIFACTS Why do we teach world history? So students can answer a daily double on the fertile crescent? So students will know when what happened to whom? Most curricula have "Cluster 0" outcomes; over-arching skill development focusing on process in the context of whatever content each unit happens to present. These are skills like, […]

Posted by milesmac on October 1st, 2012 | 3 Comments Posted in Pedagogy, Projects

8 Ways to Make Use of Your Teacher Web Space

I originally posted this on my class website for use in a presentation to my staff in January 2011. Some districts provide (and some require) teachers with web space for use with their students. Here are some suggestions, listed from least to most labour intensive. Feel free to share your own ideas in the comments […]

Posted by milesmac on August 23rd, 2012 | No Comments Posted in Resources

School Time Tables: Does The Bell Toll for Thee?

48 slots in a six-day cycle: 6 each for Science, Social Studies, French, and Exploratory/Band; 8 for Math, 13 for English Language Arts, and 4 for Phys Ed. Thanks to Bianca Hewes (@BiancaH80) for sharing this hilarious critique on traditional education. At least that's how it used to be. My school doesn't have a bell that […]

Posted by milesmac on August 23rd, 2012 | 1 Comment Posted in Pedagogy

Adopting a Strategy isn't like Adopting a Dog

Dogs are for life, Strategies are for the moment. Panaceas available at Workshop X Purchase even more efficacy with these associated books Sit through 8 additional hours of workshop to receive your Level II certificate More levels available at reasonable prices Ok, I'm not quite THAT cynical. I do see value in exploring strategic systems […]

Posted by milesmac on May 27th, 2012 | No Comments Posted in Pedagogy
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »
%d bloggers like this: