EDU 6160 (Assessment Methods) Reflection

6.1 Designing Student Assessments around Criteria and Standards

EDU 6160 (Teaching Assessment Methods) provided a plethora of tools for creating and executing assessments that are effectively aligned with the Common Core State Standards. The most important takeaway for me was to always be sure that your assessments are accurately testing the standards that have been addressed in the given lesson or unit. In our “Traditional Assessment” assignment (assessment included below), this concept was put to the test. Using various question types and including student self-assessment, allows me to see the level of understanding that my students are achieving.

Traditional Assessment final

My first draft of the assessment aimed to cover math standard “CCSS-Math A-REI Reasoning with equations and inequalities”, namely solving systems of equations through various methods including algebraically (substitution and equation addition/subtraction) and graphically. When I first wrote the assessment, I was proud of the product and felt that it addressed the chosen standards. I gave my quiz to a friend and in watching them solve various problems, I noticed that certain sections did not get at the solving method I had intended students to use. From this feedback, I was able to revise the assessment questions in order to address the solving method more clearly.

This experience showed me that in order to be sure my assessments test what they should be testing, I should take the assessment myself and if possible, have peers take the assessment as well. Having to change and revise an assessment is not a sign of weakness but rather; it makes sure that we provide the most effective and useful assessments possible. The more effective our assessments are, the better feedback regarding student learning we can gather. Data about student learning and growth is the best way to tailor and change lessons to better accommodate students to be sure they are given the opportunity to reach their highest learning potential.

Intro to Teaching Reflection – Program Standard: E1

After EDU 6918 I feel that my self-reflection tools have greatly increased. The HOPE principle E1-exemplify professionally-informed, growth-centered practice, is strongly aligned with the disposition self-assessment rubric we worked with throughout the quarter. This tool addresses the E1 principle by providing reflection with the intent of growth. At first it seemed strange to be judging myself and my abilities since usually I am not one to self reflect or talk about myself, though the rubric was highly effective in forcing myself to think about my attitude and my actions in terms of how they will materialize in a classroom setting.

As shown, the Education Disposition Assessment is used by all parties in the Education program both for self-reflection and the assessment of prospective teachers. The assessment covers 11 categories with 4 ways to measure each one: unsatisfactory, basic, proficient and distinguished. I felt challenged that there were four grading options rather than five because it forced me to pick a side, more positive or more negative, rather than marking neutral for each category. Though basic and proficient were my dominant picks, I felt confident knowing that I have room to grow and improve as an educator and as a person. I learned that self-reflection, though sometimes uncomfortable, is a valuable tool in being more self-aware.

Not only will this tool be useful in the teaching world, but as a learner myself, many of the descriptors will aid me in being more successful. Organization and perceptiveness, in higher education are valuable tools for effective educating and planning. I can start incorporating these skills now so that once I start teaching, I will be better versed in keeping myself on track and productive. Additionally, revisiting the assessment and all of its parts will help me gauge if I have been successful in making improvements, but also in maintaining my prior strengths. Utilizing the disposition assessment rubric as well as other self-assessment tools will help me grow as a professional and be successful in the education field.