Goal #2 – Re-Evaluate Value

Goal 2: Re-Evaluate Value #30Goals

What is value?  In our schools these days, especially high school, most seem to define value with a numeric code … “did I earn enough points for an A? … How many points do I need to complete/pass the test? … What is the score needed for graduation?”  Do we ever ask – anymore – what is the value of learning this concept? What is the goal of learning?  Maybe we really do need a paradigm shift … a new look at how we assess students and what value we place on their work.  

When we place a number or score on an assignment, we are allowing students to stop learning.  Because the assignment, writing, project has a numeric grade on it, it must be finished.  Maybe that is the ultimate lesson?  As teachers, we seem to have accepted the idea that observation ratings are final scores.  Yet in reality, when we score teachers on the rubric, what are we truly asking them to do?  The VALUE is in the reflection … can we learn from what we receive.  Can we take and improve what we think we have mastered?

So what do we do?  For this goal … there are 2 areas to consider (per Sherry Terrell).

Short-term- Change the way you assess one assignment or project and try to assess in a way that doesn’t add a numerical value but has the student seek value in the progress made, the learning achieved, or the work put into it. For the teachers on holiday, like in Argentina, just reflect on how you will change the assessment process of a project. Alternatively, think about a way to help students re-evaluate how they value themselves. Is it only through a number?

Long-term- In what ways can we help our students re-evaluate the way they value themselves? What changes to assessment can we make to have students reflect more on the learning journey instead of being programmed to place value only on the score?

Quote:
“Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted.”
by Albert Einstein

Related links with ideas!

• 12 Resources for Giving Feedback!
• Have students create a Jing showing feedback on another student’s essay!
• Have students use Voicethread to leave comments about what they like on other students’ videos, portfolios, essays, etc.
• My little experiment, and the remarkable data it produced by Steve Miranda!

How do show your success on this goal?  Respond in one of the following ways:

Challenge:

•    Re-evaluate how you will assess at least one assignment! Please share with us your thoughts!
•    Post thoughts / reflections my district Conference Site.
•    Consider responding on my blog … http://sylviaellison.edublogs.org/
•    Post on Twitter … @SylviaEllison, #30Goals

Enjoy!!!  Let’s inspire others to greatness together!