As a follow up to last week's topic...I have had personal experience with the "Digital Divide." Due to an issue with my wireless Internet at home, the only Internet access I have had is at my school. To widen the "divide" my district's filter is so tight that I can't access the class WIKI, Moodle, or Blog. This glitch in my normally connected life has made it difficult for me to upload/post assignments, and complete even the most basic assignment. Tonight, I am joining my fellow "disconnecteds" at the local Starbuck's for coffee at 8pm (guess I won't be sleeping tonight).
Now, on to the topic of the week....Assessment. This module reminds me of how much I diversify all of my student assessments on a routine basis. The nature of Special Education, mandates that assessment be student centered. Any time I plan an assessment, be it formal or informal, I have to plan a variety of designs to meet the needs and ability levels of all of my students. It is rare that I would give a straight forward, pencil/paper assessment. In many situations, the informal, day to day assessments provide me with the most reliable indication of my student's mastery of skills and/or content.
4 comments:
Wow -- I guess I am so fortunate to work in a district that is open to student learning in all environments - how frustrating:(.
It is true that the nature of your teaching lends it self to differentiation. It is becoming more critical that we all approach our classes with the IEP model -- we just have too many students to be absolutely individual.
Yikes, not even Moodle? Thanks for the thoughts on assessment in your specialty. Special education teachers are natural building and district leaders in differentiation.
Hi Laurie,
I totally agree with you that the informal, day-to-day assessments are the best judge for me to tell where my students are at. Even just walking around the room as students work on homework make it very obvious to me which students understand and which do not.
I understand what you have to do as a special education teacher with differentiation. Most of the special education students at our school take classes in technology education. I am always willing to differentiate assessment, but only as long as the student is willing to put the time in (I have some students that are big babies and won't try because "they will just fail anyway"). Good luck with your digital divide issues,
Bill
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