TPAC - Demoratz - 2 views
started by Stephen Demoratz on 30 May 12
started by Stephen Demoratz on 30 May 12
started by Stephen Demoratz on 30 May 12
started by Stephen Demoratz on 30 May 12
http://tpafieldtest.nesinc.com/
Teaching Performance Assessment (TPAC) is a way to determine the
effectiveness of an instructor through self analysis and the level
of instruction they are giving to their students.
In the past, a teacher evaluation was an administrator sitting in the
back of a classroom (many times with days of prior notice) and noting if
the students were behaved, if the classroom was clean, if the instruction
was proper for the subject matter. The teacher would then be called into
the administrators office to do a 10 minute talk about what was seen,
many times days after the lesson was completed and not fresh in anyone's
mind.
The TPAC model uses modern technology, like a video camera, that requires teachers to self assess their own teaching over a lesson or an SOL thread that could take multiple days to teach. The teacher is looking to see if
they went beyond just the basic subject matter or basic questioning
and assessment measures. The TPAC model allows for much greater depth in the assessment process and also gives the educator a more active role in
this learning process of growing as an educator.
When I was in college at Slippery Rock, I videotaped myself teaching a
unit and assessing what I did. To do this, I had to check out an old
VHS recorder from the school library and mount the bulky heavy device in
the classroom. In short, 14 years ago videotaping a lesson was not easy
so it was not done often. And I could only watch it on a TV with a VHS
player. Now, I can easily film myself with the purchase of a digital
camera, I could probably get a used one for $25 or $235 for a new HD one,
upload the video to my computer or Youtube and watch myself from
my phone, TV or any computer with a high speed connection.
The TPAC process is made much more accessible to teachers through
technology. I honestly do not know if TPAC would be so accepted if
we were still using VHS recording systems or 8 MM film for that matter.