Name: Julie Henks
Artifact number: 1
Title of artifact: Problem Statement
Course number and name: MAT 733 Research Based Teaching Strategies and Assessment
Type of artifact
Problem Statement
This artifact is a statement written about a problem in my classroom. I observed a problem I wanted to tackle in my teaching, and made a goal to try and obtain based on the problem. I also generated outcomes I would meet as a teacher as well as outcomes my students would meet.
I will have researched and identified at least two new ways to add assessment to my daily routine. I will have integrated at least two new assessments strategies into my classroom.
Each student will have been introduced to at lease two new assessment styles. Each student will have had the opportunity to participate in at least one self assessment strategy.
Describe the results obtained and shown on this artifact.
This artifact was designed to help me as a teacher draw from my new and existing knowledge the specific strategies and tools I want to use in my classroom, when dealing with assessments and assessing my students. I am currently not using a variety of assessments in my classroom, so I have done some research that will help me to better assess my students.
This experience has demonstrated my competencies on a proficient level of attainment. Through this artifact I have learned there are many different learning styles and strategies I can use in my classroom, and I need to be open minded and not stick to the same teaching routine for every lesson even if is seems scary. Since I will not have the opportunity to implement anything into my classroom with this artifact I can not say how things have changed; however, I can say that hopefully things will change. I am hoping to become more familiar with each one of my students’ MI’s. I am hoping that each of my students will learn what their MI is and be able to present information in a way that works well with their MI. I chose this artifact, because it demonstrates that I am able to clearly address a problem in my own classroom and begin to work towards solving that problem.
After completing some research about assessments and the multiple intelligences I have found some new strategies that I could use and incorporate into my classroom. This links to the course outcome, “Candidates demonstrates knowledge of diverse learners, including all forms of exceptionality, and create instructional opportunities that meet the needs of all learners.” I have learned through my research that it is important to know your students and how they learn best in order to be able to successfully assess each of them. I want to be able to meet the needs of all of my students, and through this artifact I was able to begin that process.
This artifact has allowed me to show evidence of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Five Core Propositions. First, by showing that I am committed to my students and their learning I will take the steps to develop new teaching strategies based on every student’s learning styles. Proposition one outlines this by saying, “Accomplished teachers are dedicated to making knowledge accessible to all students. They act on the belief that all students can learn. They treat students equitably, recognizing the individual differences that distinguish one student from another and taking account of these differences in their practice. They adjust their practice based on observation and knowledge of their students' interests, abilities, skills, knowledge, family circumstances and peer relationships” (NBPTS, 2008, Proposition #1, para. 2). I want to ensure that every student is learning to the best of their ability. Finally, “because students vary in learning styles and because different settings afford differing learning opportunities”, I “know when and how to alter the social and physical organizational structure of the learning environment” (NBPTS, 2008, Proposition #3, para. 3). As a teacher it is my job to figure out how every student’s in my classroom learns and develop my lessons around all of the learning styles so everyone can be successful. By helping my students to learn about the different MI’s and discover which one they are I will be helping them to become better learners and succeed at a higher level.
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. (2008). What teachers should know and be able to do. Retrieved July 20, 2008, from http://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/what_teachers.pdf
Date 6-30-08
Course Number/Titles MAT 733 Researched Based Teaching Strategies and Assessment
Describe your teaching context. Be sure to include, at a minimum,
information about your community, your school, and yourself.
I teach in
Our school consistently scores higher than the state average on the MAP scores. Communication arts are our greatest success with 55.1% of our students scoring at a proficient or higher level. South School showed a 24.1% increase by moving students into the proficient and advanced levels from 2001 to 2005 resulting in South Elementary making the Top Ten Most Improved School List in Missouri for Communication Arts (2007, allthingsplc.info). According to our scores from last year we have surpassed all of the large schools in our area in every category.
This
year our school was chosen as a
My job as a second grade teacher is like any other classroom teacher job. I currently have 18 students that I teach all subject areas to except social studies. I along with another second grade teacher switch classes every other day and I teach science and she teaches social studies. I have my students for the majority of the day and I am responsible for their grades as well. In my classroom I have 2 special needs students that are pulled out for the majority of the day. I have them for a few minuets in the morning and before lunch. Both are pulled out for every major subject area, and I am not responsible for giving them grades because I do not teach their core subjects.
State the problem.
Clearly describe the problem and why it is important to you.
The problem defined: The problem is that I am not effectively using assessment in my classroom. I want to assess my students to find out not only what they are learning but if they are learning. I feel that standardized tests only assess students learning to a certain level, and it is up to me a an educator to see that my students are learning more than just what they need to know for a certain test. The National Educators Association states that to maximize student success, assessment must be seen as an instructional tool for use while learning is occurring, and as an accountability tool to determine if learning has occurred. Because both purposes are important, they must be in balance (NEA, 2003).
The problem is significant because: It is important to me add different types of assessment to my classroom because I feel it is unfair to judge my students learning and ability based on standardized tests alone. I am a strong believer in multiple intelligences and that every child learns in a different way and a different speed. I feel that by adding assessment into our everyday routine I will level the playing ground so that every one has a fair chance to show what they are capable of. Everyone wins with a balanced, effective assessment system, where assessment promotes learning through classroom assessment and documents learning through standardized assessment. Achievement goes up, student and teacher confidence increases, and schools function far more effectively (NEA, 2003). Creating a balanced assessment system in my classroom will allow us to spend more time enjoying what we are learning and not how well we can regurgitate.
Clearly state the goal and outcomes, in measurable terms,
for resolving the problem you have described above.
Goal: To create a balanced, effective assessment system, where I can promote learning through classroom assessment and document learning through standardized assessment.
a. Upon the completion of this study, I will have researched and identified at least two new ways to add assessment to my daily routine.
b. Upon completion of this study, I will have integrated at least two new assessments strategies into my classroom.
a. Upon the completion of this study, each student will have been introduced to at lease two new assessment styles.
b. Upon the completion of this study, each student will have had the opportunity to participate in at least one self assessment strategy.
Rationale and support for goals and outcomes: I would like to achieve these goals and outcomes because I want to be able to better assess my students. With new strategies I feel my students will not feel as pressured during tests. If I can create new ways of assessing them that better meet their learning styles, then they will most likely do better on future tests. My students have been successful on past assessments; however, some of them appear to get very stressed and nervous before and during the tests. Also, if students are able to self assess each day; they will have a better understanding of what they are learning.
(2003). National Educators Association. Retrieved June 30,2008, from www.new.org Web site: http://www.nea.org/accountability/images/balanced.pdf