Hattie’s Research Knowledge
I found Hattie’s research really interesting. I wish more teachers are aware of this research (I am sure some know but does not specifically say what it is). As I go through the research I see the relevance in real life. When I was teaching during my pre-internship, I saw a student sleeping in class. When we sleep during class, we do not receive education we deserve that day, so student achievement decreases. I see the complex tasks give the most positive results, which is really great considering that schools are more leaning into thinking task and/or project-based teaching. Hopefully in the future, we will see more schools and teachers doing a project-based approach (with some traditional schooling to add variety) to help students achieve quality education. Hopefully in the future, we stay far away more from grades and instead do more assessment with students more than evaluation.
Fraction Activity
I found this really easy and engaging. I believe my score is 210 (is this the perfect score?). This is a great interactive summative assessment, since students are encouraged to move things around on the screen to create a fraction. However, it has some flaws. For example, the number line is a bit difficult to interact with because I could get the placement of my fraction wrong because there are no benchmarks to refer from (i am looking for 1/3 at least put the 1/2 in the middle for reference). This will produce those “silly mistakes” and confusion with students. Also, it is a great tool to check understanding of students as they start their math year. This will tell the teacher how much knowledge the students have with their fractions to make appropriate plans of actions. It does not have to be a graded assessment!
As I continue my Pre-Internship…
I have been going through my 8-week pre-internship and I have to say, I have been learning so many things in terms of assessment both from this course and from my cooperating teacher. The course helps me learn about assessments and evaluation. Meanwhile, my pre-internship helps to put those learnings into action. Last week, I have set up 3 math tasks to review students about their upcoming exam on solving equations. For the first task, I have create a “color by number” activity where students will determine the right answer to the equation and will color the corresponding color to the number indicated on the image. Second task is a maze, where students will determine the right equation to the problem and work their way to the finish line. Third, is a puzzle activity, where students will put the puzzles together using the word problem, its equation, and the answer. I believe this is an assessment for learning because this is a review of their previous learned knowledge and to determine whether they have understood it or need more help.
SYMBOLS
As I embark the journey of becoming a teacher, the symbol that I would like to use for this week is a quote from Sydney J. Harris:
The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. —Sydney J. Harris
As I learn more and more about becoming a teacher, I start to open more windows and doors to different perspectives and opportunities. I went to this career thinking that I just have to teach and get paid. However, teaching is much more than that. I have turned myself from looking in the mirror too much and thinking about myself only to opening my eyes that I am teaching because I want to provide to students a quality education and prepare them for real-life.