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Change in Thinking for our Workshop |
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Written by Robert A. Southworth Jr.
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Wednesday, 16 April 2008 |
CommonGround 2008
Rob Southworth & Mike Halverson
What might change in your thinking or arts/ education activities as a result of this workshop?
Observation
Observation is critical to human development.
I'll be more confident about the importance of PURE observation in assessment.
I like the idea of letting kids/ listening to kids, tell you what they understand.
I will continue to observe the world around me and live in it as an existential character.
I will observe, observe, observe and encourage students to evaluate themselves.
I want to listen and observe more carefully.
I will use formula of observe, assess, integrate in planning lessons and discussions.
I will revisit the concept of observation.
Listening
Really let kids tell you what they think they learned.
We need to build on what kids are thinking about by asking them questions and truly listening to their answers.
Active listening not always to your own inner voice. Listen to your partners.
Tolerance/ Openness / Flexibility
I'll change my tolerance for guessing.
Our confusion is the option to navigate yourself in a different direction.
I will allow for more confusion without the fear of failure.
It's uncomfortable and yet exhilarating to embrace these ideas and move into action.
Let go of expected outcomes.
Flexibility is so vital to all elements of understanding.
Less rigid assessment tools.
I can accept there is no end-all/ be-all method for assessment.
Allow teachers to choose their own assessment methods.
Assessment skills need to be broader-based and more open-ended.
I might think more openly when entering a situation.
I will develop a new patience for the seemingly "unstable" process of collaborative practice.
I feel much more comfortable with the give and take of assessment. We must look at ourselves first.
Dialogue
Dialogue with teachers about how/ why/ what we assess in district.
Dialogue with our collaborators and colleagues (and students) is so vital for everyone to move forward.
Humor
I will continue to emphasize the power of humor to get us through our daily "chores."
Humor is a powerful tool - a powerful approach.
Misc.
Kids need to have support and experiences with getting better at this
process of broad-based assessment. Sometimes teachers think kids can't
do it.
I will approach student assessment much differently - I will first look
at myself and what I'm doing to foster the children to be creative.
I am not sure what I learned will directly affect things that I do, but it will change my thinking.
I will read more brain/ learning research.
I like the new approach to assessment expressed by a teacher who obviously cares.
I wish that more of the schools I work with saw the value of this type of thing for their teachers and administrators.
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