Notes for Oct. 17

ASSESS
also: measure, evaluate, grade, judge, give feedback, critique, remark,
--> each has implications... so we have many different words, use them to talk around the subject.

have an experience --> reflect on it --> guides your next action --> that becomes your next experience (Jesuit idea)
teacher gives assessment, guides reflection --> helps shape next step, hopefully for the better
Another look: Cognition --> Meta-cognition (thinking about thinking)

Goals of assessment: are students learning skills and concepts like we want them to? also communicates to teachers: diagnostic - is their method of teaching working for teacher?
Egocentric fallacy of teaching : what I'm saying makes perfect sense to me, everyone hears it like I think it's being heard, and thus should understand it ... is definitely not the case.

Do we need grades? --> most students need a motivator
- if student knows sthg is worth a lot of points, know it is important to master it, even if they aren't intrinsically motivated to do so

How do we assess?
Tests, written comments, verbal comments (tone, body language, etc) - it's not just numbers!!

When?
Before instruction - Pretests "to test prior knowledge" ... but can make students feel stupid if they don't know the info
During instruction - Formative - can make changes where necessary (before it's too late!)*
After - Summative - usually more heavily emphasized
* esp. in technology activities --> essential to have formative assessments/ check-up points

Other techniques:
Self-assessment
Peer review - experiences can vary a lot

Other Feedback:
Ppt comments
Microsoft Word comments
also, Wiki comments
Anonymous feedback?
Set up a dummy account? Look for a hosting feature?

Goal: teach a better version of your class every year.

Assignments:
Personal blog about feedback/ Assessment
Finish digital media project
Post rough cut and refined cut to website.