Evaluate Reflection

During the Evaluate module, I have had the opportunity to explore the opportunities, responsibilities, and data associated with online learning.  Many of the articles and resources provided in the module will be beneficial for me to reflect on when I am teaching in the virtual classroom.  I have read and saved many of the resources so that I have them on hand to review when needed.  During this module, I have created online formative assessments, as well as creating a rubric to give clear guidelines for students to be successful on the assignment.  The articles over assessment validity, reliability and security was especially helpful for me to evaluate my own assessments.  I used the measures from the articles to determine if one of my own assessment was valid and reliable.  I also thought the data and analysis section was helpful.  While I already use many methods of data to drive my instruction, I was able to see the other forms of data that will be available in an online setting.  I think this module emphasized the importance of using the data and resources to create valid assignments, as well as giving students the guidelines they need to be successful.

Standard I: Data and Analysis

Standard G: Testing Validity and Reliability

Standard H: Data and Analysis

Evaluate 3 - Self Reflection

I think that teaching requires us to self-reflect on our practices each day.  We need to evaluate what we did well in the lesson, and what could be improved for the next day.  If there were areas of disconnect between our lesson and our students, then we need to make sure we revisit the topic the following days.  I have been evaluated by administration and fellow teachers each year, and take their feedback seriously when they give me insightful ways that I can improve my instruction.  As a way to reflect over specific areas of my lesson, I have videotaped my classroom a few times.  I then sit down to view the video and check off certain things that I notice throughout the lesson.  Below is a checklist that I did last year after watching a video of my lesson.  I wanted to improve my questioning throughout my lessons to ensure that students understand the material at a deeper level.

I have also reviewed videos of my classroom for my gifted courses.  During this video reflection, I had specific topics and standards that I needed to cover.  I had a fellow gifted instructor film this video, and discussed our observations together to see how I can improve areas of my lesson.

As a way to set goals for myself, I have displayed an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP).  After the first month of school, I evaluate my students' progress, and determine a goal for myself and a specific group of students for the end of the year.  This year, I set the goal of raising my bottom quartile students' test scores and benchmark scores for the year.  At the end of the year, I will reflect over their scores to see if I have met my goal.  I have been evaluating these specific students throughout the school year to see if I can modify my teaching to meet their individual needs.  

Self-reflection is essential to improving our teaching methods and strategies.  It is critical in order to improve our students' understanding and classroom experiences.  

Evaluate 3 - Personalized Teaching and Learning

The chart above displays the results from two assignments in a chapter.  The assignments increase in difficulty and understanding, but are over the same content.  Overall, most of the students are increasing their scores which illustrate that they are understanding the material at a deeper level now, and previous remediation benefited those students.  Student 4 and Student 6 had lower scores on the second assignment.  This informs the teacher that there is some disconnect in those students' understanding of the material.  As the teacher, I can provide individual remediation for these students that they must complete and pass with an 80% before moving on to the next assignment.  There is one student who is staying consistent at a 90.  I would provide this student with a more challenging exploratory assignment to see if they are able to successfully complete it on their own.  This might allow them to even progress further if they are exploring the content on their own.  I think data is beneficial to the teachers and the students.  It allows the teacher to customize students' learning paths so that they can have a deeper understanding of the topics.

Evaluate 2 - Data Driven Instruction and Analysis

Data is a crucial element in creating meaningful lessons for students.  Lessons driven by data allow students to reach their full potential, and correct previous errors.  Data is even more essential in an online classroom.  It determines everything the teacher decides, such as parent contact, when to post a discussion, and when to review lessons.  The chart that displayed the dates students were working on their assignments shows that students seem to be progressing through the assignments at a normal pace.  During the days where students are not actively participating in their learning, the instructor could use that data to provide a discussion or face-to-face time during these days to check in with students.  I would also provide checkpoints for students as they are working earlier in the assignment to make sure they are understanding the material, and completing the necessary steps to be proficient in the content area.
Teachers who utilize data in their classes are able to provide more individualized instruction for their students.  They have the advantage to see who needs more one-on-one instruction, encouragement, or additional parent contact.  I also think by using data, teachers are able to more effectively provide beneficial lessons by gauging what students are struggling with in their lessons.  Data allows teachers to better prepare for individual students and whole-class instruction.

Evaluate 1 - Summative Assessments

This is an assessment I created to evaluate my students' understanding of trigonometric ratios, and how to evaluate for missing sides and angles of right triangles.  I determined the validity and reliability of this test by asking 2 other math teachers to work through this test to determine if it truly evaluated the standards.  I also had a Spanish teacher read through the test to see if an ESOL student would be able to understand the word problems without a translator.  I included applicable word problems that tested if the students are able to solve the problems, and understand what they mean.  I made different versions of the test so that the tests were consistent to the standards and with each other.  Students had 45 minutes to complete this test, and were not allow to take it in an additional time period.  This prevented students from being able to look up answers or find notes over the material in between attempts.  

Evaluate 1 - Quality Feedback

Teacher feedback is essential for students' to know where they messed up, and understand how they correct their mistakes.  Beyond giving a marking for right or wrong, teachers need to take the necessary time to give constructive comments to the student.  By knowing their students, teachers are able to give more detailed feedback.  For instance, if they know the student has been struggling with solving equations, but notices that they solved all of the equations right on the quiz, then they are able to praise them for that accomplishment.  This requires teachers to keep record of student data.  By using data, teachers are able to determine growth throughout the course.  

Feedback can be both observational and instructional.  Most teachers use observational feedback to correct student behavior.  We will pull students aside to ask them why they are upset, or if they realized they were being disrespectful to their partners when working in a group.  However, we can also use observational feedback as a quick means to assess student understanding.  By saying, "I noticed you were really close to the correct answer.  Can you show me what you did so we can fix it on future problems?"  These quick observations can often correct the problem before it negatively affects the students' grades.