GMST513 - Assessment in MST

Unit for 10th Grade Geometry - Transformations and Congruence

Access Key: jnewby

Access Key: GMST513

Here is my Assessment Binder. Within the binder, there are the many different items that I have created through this semester. My binder and work within the binder is based around the 7th grade geometry unit!

4th grade Geology (Earth Science)

This could be really helpful for Elementary math. Secondary math could find it useful, too.

This article examined the performance of 57 students with learning disabilities (LD) from four middle schools. Students were followed over the course of a school year in their inclusive science classrooms as they alternated between the use of traditional curricular materials for some units of study and materials that were supplemented with video games and alternative print-based texts to more closely align with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines during other units. Findings indicate that video games and supplemental text were effective at providing students with multiple means of representation and expression. The UDL-aligned units led to heightened levels of student engagement. There were no significant differences on posttest scores when students with LD were compared with peers without LD. Students' performance did not indicate significant differences between UDL-aligned units and those taught using traditional curricular materials. Findings suggest a need for alternative assessments to measure learning outcomes during UDL-aligned units. Implications for practice and areas of future research are discussed.

An example of using UDL in sports

Not sure if this is the right link for the title but it was still an interesting read about how the use of video games and other computer based aids can be used to help differentiate instruction for students with special needs. To me having the students achieve similar scores to those without special needs just shows that the learning targets are being met and students are get a equal level of understanding from this way of learning. It doesnt need to be better.

The article examines how the universal design for learning (UDL), an educational framework, can be used to support STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) instruction in special education. According to the authors, the UDL principles can make STEM curricular materials more accessible and improve the educational experiences of students with varying learning needs. Information is provided on the aspects of instruction that constitute UDL such as clear goals, learner variability plans, and flexible teaching methods.

This article seems to very clearly tell how UDL is related to STEM and how it really needs to be implemented in the STEM (or STEAM) curriculum. It seems like a good article to start with in understanding the use of UDL in the classroom.

"Students with disabilities rarely enter the STEM workforce, even though many are highly capable of making valuable contributions" The whole reason UDL was initially started was to target students with disabilities and ensure they were meeting learning targets as well. I think, unfortunately, this statistic is true but if UDL were successfully implemented in more STEM classrooms in middle and high schools we would see more students with disabilities entering the STEM workforce with confidence.

Give examples in various subjects

Its a good start for developing some of your own activities. Seeing how different levels of thinking can be aimed for in these examples will definitely help me later to write my own!

This is a great resource and can you get you jump started on ideas that be used in a classroom right away.

UDL Video Unpack the term "Universal Design for Learning"

I also found another part of this site that has numerous videos about UDL. The website as a whole seems like a great resource for the implementation of UDL and learning more information. They have many tabs to explore on advocacy, implementation, research, and even about learning the basics of UDL.

UDL Q & A's - Covers a lot of basics

This is a great resource for people that may not have heard of UDL before this (like me). It answers the simple questions like what is UDL and gives ideas for using UDL in real classrooms. This is a great resource, thanks!

Article breaks down the principles of UDL in an organized way. It gives additional information about UDL on top of the chapters we have read. This is another great resource to have when incorporating UDL in lessons and assessments.

After reading chapter 7, I wanted to see how exactly to include creativity in a math class. This article shows that the beginning of having creativity in a classroom is for students to know that making mistakes and being wrong is ok! This article gives details on how to begin to set creativity as a learn target in math.

"It seems to me that very few children are being taught to love maths or to get excited about it. There's a widespread perception that maths is simply a set of methods that must be learned in order to be able to cope with life after school." I see this a lot in my resource room, my students hate math because most of their material is taught as a process or procedure to get a solution instead of relating it to situations they will be faced with. I think this is where the creativity piece must come in; generating the "ah, aha and haha", and even the "oh", words in the classroom through challenging activities means students are truly starting to understand the mathematics. Students don't want to take risks because they are afraid of getting the answer wrong, but this is the part of learning in math that many students need the most -- they learn best from their mistakes.

My favorite line in this article is, "If maths is to be a creative subject then we have to regard it as a subject where it is OK to get things WRONG." Many times I have heard students say that in math you are either wrong or right and there is no in between. Some students say this is why they like math others say this is why they hate it. Those that like this process are usually good at math or following formulas and directions. What I think both of these groups of students need to realize is math is what is happening between the wrong and the right answer. The teacher should provide them with opportunities to discover math processes using their creativity and building upon their mistakes.

This is a great follow up article to our chapter six reading. It discusses the use and importance of having learning targets in a classroom. It gives more examples and steps in order to find perfect fitting learning targets.

NYS Living Environment (Biology) Standards

Assessment expert Susan M. Brookhart offers practical advice, strategies, and examples to help teachers understand the following

Potential book for class.

Includes: State Standards, Goals, Methods, Materials, Assessment, Curriculum Content Resources, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Lesson Ideas, Suggested Software Tools, Internet Browser Software, Free TTS Software, Software and Internet Classroom Tools, Universal Design for Learning, Related Books and Articles

This site has a lot of concrete information, examples, and lesson ideas for practicing UDL. It's a quick, 'at-your-fingers' guide.

I've been using this site off and on for a while now and I've found that it's a great reference when developing material and ideas for the classroom. I'm glad you posted it because it was a nice reminder of just how useful the site really can be! The 'goal' section relates closely with this assessment course too!