So... Isn't it great we can educate folks here on the list! That's what we are here for, right? To learn and share with others? We have a wide audience for our discussion.
I am proud of this list... Proud to be a part of a professional development vehicle for many. Thanks to all who have taken part in this discussion! :-) Jennifer Sent from my iPhone On Oct 10, 2011, at 8:30 PM, "Renee" <phoenix...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: > I absolutely agree! I am concerned that it seems that newer/younger teachers > are less and less able to rely on their own observations, and that it seems > the norm to instantly look for a program of some kind, rather than cultivate > the knowledge and observational skills necessary for good kid-watching. And > once again, this is not a criticism of newer/younger teachers... it is a > criticism of the system and their trainers. > > Renee > > On Oct 10, 2011, at 3:11 PM, Sally Thomas wrote: > >> Eloquently said!!! >> Sally >> >> >> On 10/10/11 1:28 PM, "Palmer, Jennifer" <jennifer.pal...@hcps.org> wrote: >> >>> I highly value teacher observation, especially, Renee, the one-on-one type >>> that you describe. And certainly screening assessments have been misused in >>> too many schools to count. In addition there are a lot of assessments that >>> are >>> just terrible, especially when used to guide teaching. (Like "speeded" tests >>> for example.) And, finally, many schools are not assessment literate and try >>> to use summative assessments meant for program evaluation to guide >>> instruction. This misuse of assessment has made many teachers gun-shy of all >>> assessments because they see the damage that the misuse causes. >>> >>> Assessment has been a major focus of my own professional reading for the >>> past >>> few years and what I have come to understand is that if it is done well, it >>> is >>> a tool that makes our work as teachers much easier. Misused, it is probably >>> better to not use them at all given the damage that can occur. I have seen >>> teachers teach nonsense words so that their kids could pass DIBELS. That is >>> a >>> grave misuse which sends the wrong signal about what reading really is!! >>> BUT, >>> I have also personally seen screening tools draw attention to kids that were >>> missed by teachers in previous years who did not use the screening tools. It >>> requires a thorough understanding of what the screening assessment can and >>> cannot do... and above all it requires assessment literacy. Professional >>> development is so crucial at ALL LEVELS...(especially administration!!) so >>> that the tools are understood and not misused. >>> >>> Now about teacher observation... Speaking only for myself here, I found, >>> however, that even my own experienced observations were contextual and very >>> situational. Some decent assessments given to those kids in trouble really >>> helped me gain insights into why I was observing what I was observing. The >>> more experience I have gained, the more I have learned to verify my >>> observations and not draw conclusions too hastily. Just another point of >>> view...I guess I believe there is an art and a science to teaching. The art >>> just might be in the decisions not only about instruction, but about >>> gathering >>> information to inform instruction. Teachers and schools are as individual as >>> students. >>> >>> Jennifer L. Palmer >>> Instructional Facilitator, National Board Certified Teacher (EC Gen) > > > "To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." > Joseph Chilton Pearce > > > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive > _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive
