Module 5 Blog Reflection

Module 5 Reflection –

This module has helped me think about student-centered assessment in the following way…

When I first read student-centered assessment I thought, how are the students going to assess themselves?!  After reading module 5 it became a little clearer.  I have only given my students the opportunity to assess how everyone worked together in a group.  I did not have a rubric or any of the items listed in the assessment method section.  The students were to just rank if everyone in the group did his/her job.  Next time, I will use the collaboration self-assessment checklist.  I like the way that it lets the student assess   himself/herself.  I also like the encouraging self-direction and collaboration checklist.  It seems like a great way for the students to hold each other accountable for their group work and collaboration. 

I have recently gotten Chromebooks in my classroom so I am trying to implement some of the ideas and lessons that I am learning in this class.  I am going to use some of the rubrics and checklists so I can ensure that I am giving authentic student-centered assessments.  One thing I am going to have to wrap my head around and I think my students are going to have to also, is that they will not get a grade for everything that they do.  I will have to do more formative assessments, rather than weekly/end of the unit assessments.  The students are so used to getting grades from ME for everything that they do, so it is going to take a little time to change our process and way of thinking.  My students are going to have to become more responsible and be honest with themselves about how they are really doing on their projects.  They are also going to have to stay on task during group collaboration and not get off topic, because sixth graders love to talk about anything and everything when they are in a group. 

So, this module has really opened my eyes on student -centered assessment because I am going to have to continue to change what I am doing in my classroom.  I am going to have to let my students work and grow on their own.  I have been working on this over the past couple of months, but I am really going to have to let them spread their wings and fly.  If they fail, we will have to sit down and discuss if they really put forth their best effort, understood the standard for the lesson, and what they could do differently next time.