tidewater oct 07
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Bonnie and Rose--TRANSCRIPT
Teaching Strategies and Assessment in a Learning College
Tidewater Community College Workshop, October 25-26, 2007
Rose Mince and Bonnie Startt
Who are We?
How does this impact teaching and learning in the classroom?
Who are our Students?
Different Generations in the Classroom
The New Generation of College Students
Generations defined by shared core values
Consists of approximately a 20 year span
Reacts to the generations before themThose born on the “cusp” may have
characteristics of multiple generations
The Veterans/The Silent Generation
Defining Events…
1930sGreat DepressionElection of FDR
1940sPearl HarborD-DayDeath of FDRVE Day and VJ DayHiroshima -- Nagasaki
Core Values…
DedicationHard workConformityLaw and orderRespect for
authority
PatienceDelayed rewardDuty before
pleasureAdherence to
rulesHonor
Compared to other generations…
Economically successful but invented “midlife crisis” due to lost adolescence
Raised in large, extended families Apprenticeship businesses and farming Average 10 year old spent 4-6 hours daily with
significant adult role model Perception of world as “safe” Did not attack institutions of previous
generation – just tried to improve and refine them
Baby Boomers
Defining Events…
1950s Korean War TV in every home McCarthy HCUAA
hearings Rock ‘n Roll Salk Polio vaccine
introduced
1960s Vietnam Kennedy elected Civil Rights
Movement Kennedy / King
assassinations Moon landing Woodstock
Core Values…
OptimismTeam orientationPersonal
gratificationHealth and
wellness
Personal growthYouthWorkInvolvement
Compared to other generations…
TV generation All time divorce rate for families Families moving – GI Bill and industrialization “Nuclear” family Children spend significant time with adult role
model Mom stays home; Dad carpools Generation gap with their parents; chose not
to raise their children with same “rigidity”.
Generation X/The Lost Generation
Defining Events…
1970s Oil Embargo Nixon resigns First PCs Women’s Rights Movement
1980s Challenger explosion Fall of Berlin Wall John Lennon shot Reagan elected
Core Values…
Diversity Thinking globally Balance Technoliteracy
Fun Informality Self-reliance Pragmatism
Compared to other generations
Divorce at all time high; single parents the norm; latch-key kids
Small families; children at bottom of social priorities
Average 10 year old spent 14 ½ minutes with a significant adult role model
Perception of world as “unsafe” Children grew to be “me” oriented, pragmatic
and self sufficient and determined that there must be a better way…
Millennials/ Generation Y/ Nexters/ Net Generation/ Echo Boom
Core Values
Civic mindedOptimisticLong-term plannersHigh achieversSelf confidentSocialDiverse
Demographics…
Nearly as large, if not larger, than Baby Boomer generation
Born to parents of both Baby Boomers and Generation X
Highly educated parents with for, the first time in history, mothers with better education than fathers
Most racially and ethnically diverse generation in American history
Differences in Values…
ParentingTechnologyGamingCustomer ServiceSelf Esteem movementCommunication
Parenting
Safety improvements – increasing mortality rates for teens since 1967 (bike helmets, seat belts, etc.)
Baby boomer parents raised children differently than their “rigid” parents (raised them to question authority)
Created a generation of “negotiators” Parents are becoming over involved –
“helicopter” parents Children spend more time with parents, like
them, and share their values
Technology
Never knew a world without computers Do not live in a 9-5 world Function in an international world Expect technology in the classroom 50% of children under 6 are using computers;
100% of teens use internet, 70% use IM A technology gap exists along SES lines Not a television generation but an interactive
technologically savvy generation
Gaming…
Involves complex decision makingPlayers take in multiple sets of data and
make decisions quicklyLearning is through many trials and
errorsStudents expect learning in class to be
the same – multiple opportunities to make errors and rewrites
Customer Service…
Expect access 24/7Expect things to work as they are
supposed toThey want what they have paid for –
have students paid for a grade or for learning?
Everything comes with a toll-free number and a web address
Self Esteem Movement…
9,068 books written about self esteem in late 80s and 90s
Focus on self esteem was not able to eliminate adolescent angst, concern over purpose of existence, need to feel important and valued
Communication…
Expect to stay in communication 24/7Email is becoming outdatedCell phones are a lifestyle management
tool and essentialCell phones are for safety as well as
casual communication
Teaching Implications…
Provide clear objectives and details of expectations
Allow students input into educational processes
Allow for meaningful activities such as learning communities and service learning
Be flexible, sensitive, and enthusiastic Don’t be surprised by how easily they are
demoralized – they have high expectations and are high achievers
Last thoughts…
A gender gap is emerging…Highly programmed lives have resulted
in multi-taskersPrediction is that they change careers
multiple times in their livesThey want value – not the hard work,
stressed-out, fall asleep at the dinner table lives of their parents.
Did You Know?
Understanding the diversity of our students and the changing world
5 Minute Break!
Think, Pair, Share
Reflect on the information and ideas presented so far.
List 3-5 specific implications for teaching your students in your classes.
Share your ideas with a partner.Share 1 idea with the group.
What Students AreWhat Teachers DoWhat Students Do
Teaching Teaching and Understanding Understanding
Brain-Based Learning
Activity: “What and How you Learned”
What you said…
Natural Learning Process Stages
Stage 1: MOTIVATION: Responding to stimulus. Not knowing how to do it or how it works, just trying it.
Stage 2: BEGINNING PRACTICE: Doing it (“practice, practice, practice”), learning from one’s own mistakes. Starting to get the feel for it.
Stage 3: ADVANCED PRACTICE: Increase of skill and confidence through more practice, more trial & error, getting comfortable.
Natural Learning Process Stages
Stage 4: SKILLFULNESS: More practice, doing it one’s own way, deviating from the norm, taking risks, creativity, branching out.
Stage 5: REFINEMENT: Automization or becoming second nature, creativity, learning new methods, strong satisfaction.
Stage 6: MASTERY: Increased creativity, broader application, teaching it, continuing improvement, expert (or dropping the activity).
Physical Processes of Learning
When we are learning a particular skill or concept: Learning occurs through the growing and
constructing of physical structures in the brain Learning, thinking, and remembering are the brain’s
natural physical, electrical and chemical processes. We construct physical structures in the brain every
time we connect new information to previous knowledge.
Neural networks need time to grow.
Our brains are “plastic”!
The Natural Learning Organ
Has a natural learning processHas an innate logicIs a natural problem-solverIs a natural pattern-seekerIs internally motivatedFeels pleasure when learning
Principles and Implications
Principles Learning and growing
brain structures are the same thing
New brain structures grow with practice – a lot of practice.
Brain structures grow exclusively for what is practiced
Implications Teaching is like
gardening – we need to help students grow.
We learn by making and correcting mistakes and trying again.
Students need authentic practice with the target knowledge.
Principles and Implications
Principles Each person has
his/her own unique pattern of structures that grow off what they already have.
Students need to construct basic pathways first before they can develop the pathways for higher order/creative neural structures.
Implications The first step is to make
a personal connection between the students and the new thing to learn.
Expect students with prior experience to have an advantage to move to higher levels sooner.
Principles and Implications
Principles Brain structures grow
when learners are active.
Emotions affect growth. DNA can affect how
quickly brain structures grow for different things.
Implications Keep activity levels high. Provide a learning
environment that is positive and supportive and believe in your students.
Recognize difference in aptitudes.
5 Rules of How the Brain Learns
1. Dendrites, synapses, and neural networks grow off what is already there.
Like twigs on a tree. Can’t grow off of nothing. Learning starts by making a connection to
prior knowledge or experience. To learn something new we must start with
something familiar.
5 Rules of How the Brain Learns
2. Neural networks grow from what is actively, personally, and specifically experienced and practiced
New networks are constructed for each new concept or skill.
As people practice, they build better structures for that particular skill or knowledge.
Practice means making mistakes, learning from them, correcting and starting over.
Making mistakes is a natural part of learning.
5 Rules of How the Brain Learns
3. Neural networks grow from stimulating experiences.
The chemical electrical process needs to be stimulated.
Stimulating experiences activate the brain.
5 Rules of How the Brain Learns
4. Use it or lose it Neural networks will be lost if you don’t
use them.Pruning occurs naturally if skills or ideas
are not used or practiced.
5 Rules of How the Brain Learns
5. Emotions affect learning. Emotions can have a major impact on learning
and remembering. Negative emotions can help students forget or not connect new information.
Self-doubt, fear and other negative emotions can keep you from learning and remembering.
Confidence, interests and other positive emotions help the learning and remembering process.
“All human beings are born as natural learners.”
Our brain has a natural, innate thinking and learning process.
It knows how to learn and remember and is thinking soon after birth.
Learning by the brain's natural learning process helps students become the motivated, eager, successful learners they are born to be.
Dr. Rita Smilkstein“We’re Born to Learn”
Other learning theories…
Constructivism…Learning Styles…Universal Instructional Design…
Fuzzy Question
Is there anything from today’s presentation so far that is unclear to you? If so, what is it? What type of follow-up would be helpful to you?
Assessing our Students…
Tying it all together: Teaching/Learning/Assessment
Why Grades Don’t Make the Grade
Don’t tell the whole story May not be based solely on student
learning outcomes May be subjective Are not always valid and reliable
Basic Assumptions of Assessment
• Quality of learning related to quality of teaching• Teachers need feedback on extent to which
their explicit goals and objectives are being met• Students need feedback often and early • Assessment should be faculty driven,
collaborative, and systematic• Allow teachers to become the researchers
Angelo & Cross (1993)
Classroom Assessment Techniques
Definition: An approach designed to help teachers determine what and how well students are learning in the classroom.
Characteristics:• Learner-centered• Teacher-directed• Mutually beneficial• Formative• Context specific• Ongoing• Rooted in Good Teaching Practice
Learning Outcomes AssessmentGoals and Objectives
Document improved and expanded student learning
Create continuous improvement process for learning outcomes assessment
Provide continuous curriculum improvement
Assessment Design
5 Stages of LOA Projects
1.Designing and Proposing a Project (RFP)
2.Implementing the Design and Collecting and Analyzing the Data
3.Redesigning the Course/Program to Improve Student Learning
4.Implementing Revisions and Reassessing
5.Communicating Final Analysis
Rubrics
Rubric: A definition
“…a one- or two-page document that describes varying levels of quality from excellent to poor for a specific assignment”
Heidi Goodrich Andrade
Two main components:A detailed list of criteriaGradations of quality
Rubrics
Holistic vs. AnalyticHolistic: all criteria are factored in together
to determine the final grade for that assignment (one overall or total score)
Analytic: considers and evaluates each criterion separately (sub-scores)
Grading Rubrics: Advantages
Assess student work more quickly and more efficiently
Provide a clear justification to student for the grade received
Act as a teaching tool to support student learning
Put more responsibility into the hands of the students
Grading Rubrics: Advantages
Facilitate students’ progress in completing assignment
Are easy to use and explainSupport the development of students’
skills and understandingProvide informative feedback and
detailed evaluations
Matching Objectives to Assignments and Rubrics
Bloom’s Taxonomy (www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/bloom.html)
Knowledge-list, define, tell, describe, identify, show, label, collect, examine
Comprehension-summarize, describe, interpret, contrast, predict, discuss
Application-apply, demonstrate, calculate, experiment, classify, show
Matching Objectives to Assignments and Rubrics (continued)
Analysis-analyze, separate, order, explain, connect, classify, compare
Synthesis-combine, integrate, modify, plan, create, generalize, rewrite, compose, prepare
Evaluation-assess, decide, rank, grade, test, measure, recommend, convince, select, explain, support, conclude, compare
Developing a Rubric
Validate the objective/s you want students to achieve (verb). Create the assignment.
Develop the rubric:1) Identify the criteria2) Weigh the criteria3) Describe the levels of success4) Create and distribute the rubric/grid
Rubric Adjectives/Anchors
6=evidence beyond the expectations (present, and, and)
5=evidence is present; student has gone slightly beyond requirements (present, and)
4=evidence is present without any extra supporting material (present)
3=something lacking from the requirement (present, but)
2=some evidence, but something important is lacking (present, but, but)
1=very little evidence that skills have been achieved
Some Excellent Resources
Scoring Rubrics in the Classroom by Arter and McTighe (2001)
“Primary Trait Analysis: Anchoring Assessment in the Classroom” Benander, Denton, Page, and Skinner (2000). The Journal of General Education, 49, 280-302.
“Oral Presentations in Math Classes” (grading using a rubric) in Innovation Abstracts, (2002), XXIV, 23
www2.acs.ncsu.edu/UPA/assmt/resource.htm
Common Graded Assignments
Common – similar format, varied content; applied in more than one class to allow comparison
Graded -- required by the instructor so that students put effort into the assignment; faculty provide feedback to the student
Assignment -- evaluation of the “routine” ongoing work of the students
Sample CGAs
CritiquesLab ReportsArticle Reviews: Comparison/ContrastProjects (individual or group)Research PapersCase StudiesEssay QuestionsThe list goes on…
Steps to Creating a Rubric Look at several models of anonymous student
work from previous classes. Identify the characteristics that make the good ones good and the bad ones bad.
List the evaluation criteria. Determine the gradation of quality for the selected
evaluation criteria. Begin by describing the best and worst levels of quality and then fill in the middle levels based on your knowledge of common problems. ( Use the "yes, yes but, no but, no" system!)
Have students evaluate the models from step 1. Allow students to ask clarification questions and make comments.
Use students' feedback to revise the rubrics.
Activity: Create Your Own Rubric!
Critical Thinking
Engaging Ideas by John C.Bean
Using Writing to Promote Thinking
Writing in the Disciplines/Across Communities Understanding Connections Between Thinking
and Writing Designing Problem-Based Assignment Coaching Students as Learners, Thinkers, and
Writers Reading, Commenting On, and Grading
Student Writing
From Passive to Active Learners
The learner’s engagement depends on the type of problems/assignments the learner is asked to think about and act upon.
Key teaching tasks: Design interesting problems for students to think
about. Develop strategies for giving critical thinking
problems to students. Create a course atmosphere that encourages
inquiry, exploration, discussion, and debate while valuing the dignity and worth of each student.
Key Teaching Tasks (continued)
Be a mentor and a coach.Develop a range of strategies for
modeling critical thinking, critiquing student performances, and guiding students toward the habits of inquiry and argument valued in their disciplines.
Link Between Writing and Critical Thinking
The most intensive and demanding tool for eliciting sustained critical thought is a well-designed writing assignment on a subject matter problem.
Writing is closely linked with thinking and in presenting students with significant problems to think about—and in creating an environment that demands their best writing, faculty can promote cognitive and intellectual growth.
Using Writing to Promote Thinking
Teachers who successfully integrate writing and critical thinking often report a satisfying increase in their teaching pleasure: class discussions are richer, students are more fully engaged, and the quality of their performance improves
Teachers must plan for writing/thinking activities and foster them throughout the course.
Central Activities of Critical Thinking
Identifying and challenging assumptions Exploring alternative ways of thinking
and actingBrookfield (1987)
Critical thinkers are engaged with life.
Writing as a Process vs. a Skill
Writing is more than a communication skill. It is a process and product of critical thought. We want to have more than clear, accurate writing. We want interesting writing:
Active engagement with a problem; writing that brings something new to the reader; writing that makes and supports an argument
Make the course assignment-centered versus text or lecture-centered
Require multiple drafts/steps in the writing process
Some ways to give tasks to students
Problems presented as formal writing assignments
Problems presented as thought-provokers for exploratory writing
Problems presented as tasks for small group problem solving
Problems presented as starters for inquiry-based class discussions
Some ways to give tasks to students (continued)
Problems presented as think-on-your-feet questions for in-class “cold calling”
Problems presented as focusing questions for in-class debates, panel discussions, cases, or fishbowls
Problems presented as practice exam questions
Practical Suggestions
Avoid “and then” assignments (example, student gives you a summary when you want an argument)
Avoid “all about” writing (do the subtopics add up to an argument or an encyclopedia?)
Ask students to consider multiple points of view, to confront clashing values, and to imagine, analyze, and evaluate alternative solutions to problems
Encourage revisions
Practical Suggestions (continued)
Require a series of short essays instead of a term paper
Use write-to-learn assignments (apply what has been taught)
Give students clear, written directions Have a colleague fine-tune your assignments Begin assignments in class so that students can
ask questions Incorporate reflection papers Use grading rubrics