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Randy Ziegenfuss

Project Based Learning Video «Ideas and Thoughts from an EdTech - 0 views

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    "I've been working with several teachers over the years in our district on the using project based learning. We're by no means experts but are doing some nice work. These three high school teachers have taken the bull by the horns and restructured the school day to provide some learning not easily done in our traditional 40-75 minute classes. This 5 minute video tells part of their story."
Kevin Bush

Journal of Educational Controversy Blog: An Impassioned Defense of Public Education: Di... - 0 views

  • I haven’t seen met a single teacher who likes what’s happening? I haven’t met a single teacher who thinks that No Child Left Behind has been a success. I haven’t met a single teacher who thinks that Race to the Top is a good idea.
    • Jennifer Volpato
       
      Shame on us for not advocating for ourselves and on her for being so instrumental in leadig the charge - back to "The Truth About Testing" But: if she can turn around and try to undo her wrongs, we should be able to begin advocating for our profession and our students as well. Innovative lessons and culture change in our classroom, team, school, has to be contageous don't we think?
    • Kevin Bush
       
      I am one of those strange teachers who has found some reason to identify NCLB as a success in opening the doors for schools to look at achievement gaps. For too long schools look at the big number, NCLB has forced schools to look at sub-groups and identify what more can be done to bring every child up. While nearly impossible to get to 100% I think it is a goal that should be celebrated, leaves schools to answer the question, if we aren't getting 100%, who are those students who aren't making it, how can any school call itself a success that isn't graduating 100% of its students with skills.
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    Kevin, you bring up a good point that NCLB has definitely caused us to be more aware of the students who are not achieving and I agree with you. Just as our book "The Art of Possibility" illustrates, there is a positive side to everything. I think you are right about the 100% being a worth while goal. The part that I disagree with is being individually held accountable for that goal when so many other factors such as parents, administration, and score spread critieria embedded in the test themselves, and other factors are working against the success of my students. I would love celebrations and media that honor schools for making high gains, for moving in the right direction, for getting closer to the 100%. I would love to see students honored for making such individual gains as well. Unfortunately I feel that the media message is that which is "failure". Maybe we could colaboratively write some publicity to demonstrate what are schools are doing well.
Randy Ziegenfuss

Intel Education: Assessing Projects - 1 views

  • Assessing Projects helps teachers create assessments that address 21st century skills and provid
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    When assessment drives instruction, students learn more and become more confident, self-directed learners. Assessing Projects helps teachers create assessments that address 21st century skills and provides strategies to make assessment an integral part of their teaching and help students understand content more deeply, think at higher levels, and become self-directed learners.
Kevin Bush

Digital Alternatives to Test Preparation - Persuasive Essay Draft - 1 views

  • threat of graduation and remediation classes
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Are there "penalities" for not doing well on these tests? Can a student be denied graduation? I know this is coming in PA with the Keystone Exams. I also believe remediation (in 12th grade) is a requirment if you are not proficient on the PSSA in 11th grade.
  • Test-Prep
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      One thing we didn't talk about it class....we should indicate where we got the images from.
  • esult meaningfu
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      result in meaningful
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  • has creativity, critical thinking skills, communication skills, collaboration skills, information and media literacy, and life skills.
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      I would suggest "demonstrates" rather than has. I also think that one of our greatest challenges in schools - teachers, leaders and students - is coming to some common understanding of what these terms mean, especially in the 21st century. For example, our understanding of collaboration is probably all over the board from "works in groups" to uses social networking sites to connect with other experts.
  • Apple, Inc
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Does Apple really define this? While they funded the study, I wonder if attaching their name may give the impression that the corporate world is now identifying what we as educators ought to be doing. Maybe...Through research funded by Apple Computer...
  • is outlined below:
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      includes the key areas of...
  • this approach
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      the challenge-based approach to learning....
  • an individuals
  • an critical
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      a critical skills
  • we began on a
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      we began a
  • And the great majority of teachers participating in the study believed that students engaged in high level work and benefited from extensive learning.
    • Kevin Bush
       
      While I agree with this as well, the challenge is how do we prepare teachers to engage in this instruction. Also, as I was reading I kept thinking, this sounds much like differentiated instruction...how do the two fuse together?
Randy Ziegenfuss

45 Interesting Ways To Use Wordle In The Classroom - 0 views

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    How teachers might use the popular Wordle site in the classroom.
Kevin Bush

Standardized testing hurting U.S. education, new book contends | MSU News | Michigan St... - 0 views

shared by Kevin Bush on 04 Jul 10 - Cached
  • flawed policy that threatens to undermine the nation’s strengths of creativity and innovation,
    • Jennifer Volpato
       
      this is certainly an understatement, it's all about the programmatic skills of the test, not actually about learning
    • Kevin Bush
       
      I am always struck by how political leaders who haven't been in the classroom think the answer to making education better is to test more, then punish those schools which perform poorly. The focus has too much been on the test and not the learning going on in the class.
  • an education that respects individual talents and does not dictate what students learn or how teachers teach.
    • Jennifer Volpato
       
      absolutely
    • Kevin Bush
       
      You should check out Ken Robinson's series on creativity in the schools, one of the best TED talks out there.
  • “Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization.”
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • stuck “teaching to the test”
  • “The essence of his strategy was to stop being creative and imaginative.”
    • Jennifer Volpato
       
      how is it that success has now been reduced to what we can prove we know on paper versus what we are creatively able to produce? Standardized testing certainly has been around for my entire education but there was not so much pressure on student performance, school performance, etc.. For some students, our 8th graders for example, it determines honors placement. Standardized test should be a measurement, a snapshot, not the whole picture. Li
  • reward schools for offering a diverse set of opportunities
  • “Most importantly, we need to instill confidence – restore confidence – in our teachers and in our schools, because right now the accountability rhetoric in essence is telling us we don’t trust our educators – that they are not good enough, they are lazy, and that’s not the case.”
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    "America's increasing reliance on standardized testing as a yardstick for educational success is a flawed policy that threatens to undermine the nation's strengths of creativity and innovation, according to a provocative new book from a Michigan State University scholar."
Randy Ziegenfuss

BIE: Project Based Learning: Overview: Project Based Learning - 0 views

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    Excellent site from Buck Institute of Education on PBL. Our model assumes that teachers and students will be most successful in carrying out Project Based Learning if careful attention is given to developing an engaging, student-focused culture on the classroom.
Randy Ziegenfuss

Digital Alternatives to Test Preparation - Jamie's Multimedia Essay - 0 views

  • This is how I was taught and tested so this is how I teach and test
    • Kevin Bush
       
      How do we break this cycle? If this is true, then wouldn't it be reasonable to say that the future teachers in our classes would continue this, I mean besides those of us in this class, aren't we just preparing a new wave of teachers to continue following our bad models.
    • Jennifer Volpato
       
      Good point. When our only references are those based in our own learning experiences how do we get away from that? I guess constant reflection on our own process and close attention to our students.
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Yes, Jen. I think reflection is the key. And hopefully that is what we are doing here. Through reflection, you'll be able to gather some new knowledge to move your own classroom toward better alternatives to test preparation.
  • How might we meet the needs of the system and the needs of the learners
    • Kevin Bush
       
      Great picture. The first thing that came to my mind however was what does this look like at a high school setting where students are competitive or on the other extreme, just going through the motions. How do we bring the enjoyment of learning to the high schools and continue a model of creativity?
  • Through collaboration, creativity, exploration, and sharing students can be assessed in a real world way.
    • Kevin Bush
       
      I think you are right, this is a good summation of your ideas, we need to continue rewarding those who go outside the box of the traditional testing model and recognize the possibilities of engaging students at a new level and making assessment just a brief stop and a progression in a longer journey of learning the 'big ideas'.
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Agreed, Jamie. Now your challenge is to take this lofty goal and figure out how to actually achieve it in your classroom!
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  • In what ways do we assess learning?
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      You mentioned "negative" modes of testing. If assessment is a valuable part of learning - I believe it is...valuable feedback - what are the postive ways we assess student learning?
  • and skills
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      But do those standardized tests really reflect the skills students are learning? Generally, I would say no.
Jennifer Volpato

Digital Alternatives to Test Preparation - Kevin's Multimedia Essay - 0 views

  • they were being tested everyday.
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Wow....amazing. And obviously "tests" of the wrong kind.
  • As a AP US History teacher I constantly find myself pitted in a struggle against content memorization versus using 21st century skills within the classroom
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      I think this is the one of the challenges we hope to address in this course - do we see the challenge as an opportunity to change what we do, or do we feel like vicitims.
    • Jennifer Volpato
       
      I agree, it's that cross between covering the material versus really learning it, or in the case of history living it.
  • College Board recently changed their policy of letting students know what the topic of the DBQ would be, students going into the DBQ had no idea what it would be the day of the test students had to complete a DBQ on the Puritans, a subject last covered in 8th grade. I found myself asking how well students possibly could do on a question like this, a question which was covered before students were even accepted into the honors track
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      This is the secrecy that Reeves talks about in the article we read yesterday. I wonder what the Board's rationale is for this decision. Clearly, a bunch of dusty academics feel they need to impose their outdated definition of learning on high school students.
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  • Bring technology to every student, closing the digital divide needs to be a national goal, it can't be a program that waits five years. Forget about immigration, partisan divisions, tax policy, gays in the military, and healthcare, our national needs to make it a priority that by August every student will have access to technology and every teacher will get the training to use that technology effectively within the classroom.
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      I am always amazed at how little our country cares about education. We focus too much on reacting to problems instead of attacking root causes. If we developed a world-class education system, we would be able to solve more of our problems, in better time.
    • Jennifer Volpato
       
      The reaction component is signifcant. I guess that reaction is easier than the problem solving but certainly not as effective.
  • research about how people learn
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      We need to pay more attention to the learning sciences: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_sciences
  • Develop assessments that test the students ability to create authentic learning experiences that demonstrate their growth as an individual.
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      So why don't we do this? THE TRUTH ABOUT TESTING will hopefully shed some light.
    • Jennifer Volpato
       
      Great challenge. I was thinking after my article review this morning about how this can be achieved in a national way. There must be a way to incorporate a measurement of authentic knowledge into the measurement of our school and student success. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as just creating test questions it would involve other means of data collection
  • Kevin's Multimedia Essay
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Nice outline of the challenges we face with developing skills and balancing requirements of assessment. It's our problem. So what will we do about it? Hopefully we'll develop some potential answers.
Randy Ziegenfuss

TRAILS: Tool for Real-time Assessment of Information Literacy Skills - 0 views

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    "TRAILS is a knowledge assessment with multiple-choice questions targeting a variety of information literacy skills based on sixth and ninth grade standards. This Web-based system was developed to provide an easily accessible and flexible tool for library media specialists and teachers to identify strengths and weaknesses in the information-seeking skills of their students."
Randy Ziegenfuss

12 Expert Twitter Tips for the Classroom: Social Networking Classroom Activities That E... - 0 views

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    "The tips provided below are based on expert teacher experiences using the social network twitter. These activities are designed to encourage students in making connections beyond a basic understanding of concepts using this online education technology."
Randy Ziegenfuss

Project Based Learning - 0 views

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    Welcome to PBL-Online, a one stop solution for Project Based Learning! You'll find all the resources you need to design and manage high quality projects for middle and high school students.
Kevin Bush

Digital Alternatives to Test Preparation - Bridget's Multimedia Essay - 0 views

  • Once they're made, tests are easy to give and easy to score.
    • Kevin Bush
       
      They are also cut and dry, right or wrong, no in between. The assessments I think we will be looking at examine not only what students know but what they don't and see learning as a progression.
  • same test they've been giving for years
    • Kevin Bush
       
      Like the teacher I talked about who went into the filing cabinet and pulled out the same numbered tests every year without changing the ways because 'it worked in the past.'
  • leadership, open-mindedness, and motivation
    • Kevin Bush
       
      This is the greatest challenge, administrators understanding the disconnect between what is going on in the class and what alternatives are out there. How to demonstrate how more effective teaching and alternative assessments can best prepare students for these standardized tests.
Jennifer Volpato

Digital Alternatives to Test Preparation - Assignment - 0 views

  • global impact
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      I like this choice of lens.
  • My quandry is with the approach that our legislators take on pitting public and private schools against each other when what we should be doing is working cooperatively to build a better, stronger community of learners that will lead us into a successful future for all.
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      How can we participate better in this dialogue? How do we participate now? What do we envision our participation being, lets say in the reauthorization of NCLB?
    • Jennifer Volpato
       
      I believe that the creation of teams of teachers, principals, researchers, students, and parents to review, give feedback, and design changes to NCLB would serve as a more successful approach to problem solving the current educational "crisis". When I have a problem to solve I take the grass roots approach, go to the source, research and reflect on the information, I never pretend to know it all. First hand accounts and dialogue are crucial in developing productive change.
  • creating a complete picture of our students and our schools with standardized testing being one aspect, but no the only measurement tool.
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Great vision!
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  • why are we as a nation submitting the results of one method of testing
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      This is an important point you make. It relates to one of our guiding quesitons: What are the impacts of standardized testing? My hunch is more negative than positive.
  • Interesting NPR program on the effects on high NCLB
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Not sure what you mean here? Can you link to the program?
    • Jennifer Volpato
       
      Oops, I added this quickly when I got here in the middle of a conversation with Jamie. I'll try the link again.
Jennifer Volpato

Challenge-based learning: José Garcia's innovative approach to student inquiry - 1 views

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    This article discusses the instructional strategies of Greene County Middle School science teacher José Garcia. Mr. Garcia employs challenge-based learning, which marries project-based learning with student inquiry and makes effective use of technology.
Jennifer Volpato

How to get Started with Project Based Learning - 1 views

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    Project Based Learning (PBL) is a great way to teach students content, 21st century skills, and engage them in something fun and educational. This article gives some teacher tips and lesson examples for PBL.
Randy Ziegenfuss

Digital Alternatives to Test Preparation - Gaming in Education - 0 views

  • challenge based
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      challenge-based
  • a historical
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      A historical what?
  • accept, let
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      accept. Let
  • ...18 more annotations...
  • standards and
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      standards, and
  • In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania critical
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
  • embrace changing
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      embrace the changing
  • Through gaming students
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Through gaming,
  • alternative in schools
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Alternative to what?
  • From wikipedia (excerpted)
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Provide the link.
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      And the article title
  • fun, games
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      fun. Games
  • completed by Project Tomorrow more
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Good use of external data.
  • There are online
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Fix this sentence.
  • Immersed in their learning, it will happen without their realizing it.
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Fix this sentence.
  • World of Warcraft.
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Add a link to explain?
  • He says:
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Can you link to the speciic post? Good use of other sources.
  • level which
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      levels that
  • require to co
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      require who?
  • While playing Benjamin
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      While playing, Benjamin
  • 1. freedom to fail; 2. freedom to experiment; 3. freedom to fashion identities; 4. freedom of effort; and 5. freedom of interpretation
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Great synthesis and explanations below.
  • How gam
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      I'm sure you know this, but it should be fleshed out more.
  • Gaming as an Alternative
    • Randy Ziegenfuss
       
      Here is where you take everything you've said and make your case as a an alternative to the way teachers traditionally prepare students for standardized tests.
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