Module 6

This module has helped me think about self-directed learners and the role of differentiation in the following ways...

Self-directed learners are able use or create their own methods of learning and acquiring knowledge. In that case, they are able to differentiate their learning themselves, with little intervention or direction from the instructor.

Module 5

This module has helped me think about student-centered assessment in the following ways...

Students need to be and do better when they are involved in the assessment process. Student-centered doesn't mean that students "take over" the assessment, rather they are active participants in it, as opposed to being subjected to assessment. Through rubrics, checklists, and the like, students can see how they are progressing through the assessment, and are given opportunity to correct themselves and seek input from the instructor and/or other students along the way. This avoids, I think, meltdowns, cursings, and probably calls from upset parents ("Johnny didn't know he was failing!!!).

I hope.

Assessment Strategies - Improvement

As a co-teacher, I don't get much opportunity to guide curriculum for the "regular" students. At least I didn't this school year. Hopefully, I will be better able to this coming year. I would like to increase the amount of formative assessments used before and during the courses I work with. This would improve the quality of material presented and the way that it is presented (with tiered groups, etc).

One way to address this, I think, is to work with my teachers and develop pre-unit activities (not tests!) that gauge students' knowledge before the learning begins.