One of the most natural human traits is to enjoy success. We tend to favor things that we are successful at, investing more time and effort, thus developing strengths in certain areas of our life.
In our Bed program we have learned the importance behind intrinsic motivation and the need to focus on the process in learning not the grades. If we establish this in our classrooms we will be more likely to create a community of learners where the students will be more prone to become lifelong learners who value education.
However, after taking this week's Art quiz, I have come to question my ability to do this. I feel that I must be able to effetively model something that I expect my students to do. I noticed that after the first quiz Willow sang a song and got us to sing along. At first I thought that this was another transition exercise, but after observing Willow, looking at others' expressions, and examining my own feelings, I think it was an unplanned song designed to uplift the mood of the classroom. I think that Willow thought that we were feeling depressed about having just taken a test. Perhaps it was just me. Perhaps I am way off base. But I know that my mood was not the best after taking that quiz. It gave me an insight into what a seven year old might be thinking when I am giving a quiz - "This is stupid. I hate school. I am doing ---tty" - while I am thinking, "You are all going to do fine. This is easy. Just do what I told you to".
I believe that I am more process-oriented when it comes to education. Perhaps I have further to go than I thought.
3 comments:
Interesting post but I'm not sure if are you advocating less assessment or a better attitude toward assessment? What is assessment in your art classroom going to look like?
Thank you for your question Mike. Asking questions forces people into disequilibrium and the need to reflect so that they will be able to synthesis the new information as part of their working knowledge.
I would love to hear some of your thoughts rather than just questions because I value your opinion and feel that not only to you have meaningful contribution to make, but that I can learn and benefit from your insights.
In short, I am unsure how to answer your question because I do not understand your thoughts on the subject of assessment.
Art assessment in my classroom is going to be based on effort and not product. I will make simple criteria that everyone can follow; such as: use two different colors.
For the record, I was neither advocating less assessment or a better attitude toward assessment. I was merely reflecting on my experience with assessment and trying to synthesize my thoughts into working knowledge. It is a work in process.
Thank you for your two questions. I welcome future insights.
Thank you Bob for the time you took to respond to my question. You are obviously a very conscientious blogger. Because you are unsure how to respond to my question, I will provide you with some assistance.
Step 1. Refer to my question. For example: Are you advocating less assessment or a better attitude towards assessment? (hint: if you're not sure if it is a question or not, check to see if it is followed by a question mark.) I can understand why this may be confusing for you. That was in fact I two questions combined into a single question. I will rephrase it for you:
Are you advocating less assessment?
Are you advocating a better attitude toward assessment?
Step 2. Reflect on what you believe about the topic being addressed. Here is where I think you might have had difficulty, because you refer to "[my] thoughts on assessment". In actuality you should be using your thoughts on assessment. Once you have done that you are ready for step 3.
Step 3. Write an answer that is directly related to the question that was asked. For example:
Q: Are you advocating less assessment?
A: Yes I am/ no I'm not. (at this point it would be great if you could explain why and provide some support for you answer but you might want to wait until you have some more practice answering questions before you do this).
I hope that I have been helpful and you will be able to answer questions in the future. Just remember-- practice, practice, practice. Continue the great work with your blog!
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