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EDU 3170 CBE: Assessment of Learning: Fieldwork Parts 1 - 3

Overview

The field experience requirement for this course is 10 hours.

What is field experience? Field experience is your opportunity to observe and assist with prescribed activities in an educational setting. For this course, you can perform your fieldwork in any elementary classroom environment. Contact your faculty member for permission to observe a different grade level. Reach out to your faculty member if you have questions.

 

Who handles my field experience placement? The school placements for CBE sections are self-selected, and you will need to provide Proof of Placement via an email or other documentation from school personnel. If you are local, you may choose to apply to volunteer using the district's website.

 

How do I record my experience? Field experience is two parts. First, your field experience is logged via a signed log of hours and then submitted through Blackboard at the end of each course.  Second, is through a reflection blog that you will develop and answer open ended question that promote a higher level of thinking.

 

Where do I write my blog? Create your blog using a blogging software you choose. Below are suggestions for free online blogging tools. Your blog must be viewable by your instructor in order to receive credit for the assignments.

 

  1. Choose a platform you want to host your blog throughout the program. Blogging website suggestions are below.
  2. Ensure your blog is public or can be shared with your instructors.

 

Check Blackboard for additional details on the field experience requirement for this course. 

10 hours of field experience is required for this course.

Field Experience Blog Part 1

Before you write your blog post:

Before you write your blog post complete your observation:

Be sure you have completed your edTPA Context for Learning for your EDU 3170 classroom setting.

This course requires 10 hours of field experience. Make sure you are having your Field Experience Log signed for all hours for this course. The log will be submitted in Field Work 3.

For this observation, you are asked to observe an elementary school classroom and document the different formative and summative assessments that are used. Discuss with teachers about their thoughts on the issues that they face with assessments (i.e., time, covering information, struggling students, documentations required, "too much testing", etc.).  

Write your blog post:

  • What did you find interesting about the required assessments you witnessed?
  • How do you think you will balance your time with the required tests and your need for seeing yourself as an effective teacher?
  • What did you find surprising and least surprising about assessments (on your grade level, on other grade levels, the many different types of assessments, etc.)?

Field Experience Blog Part 2

Before you write your blog post:

Interview at least three individuals (e.g., teachers, an assistant principal(s), and/or the principal). Gain their permission to disclose their answers anonymously on your blog.

Discuss with them the importance of assessment of learning. Ask the following questions. Feel free to add your own questions to this list. 

  • In your opinion/experience is assessment of learning a major concern?
  • Do you feel that that students are tested too much?
  • Do you have any techniques, strategies, or classroom rewards that you find to be effective in encouraging students to be self motivated to do their best in assessment situations?
  • What types of formative assessments do you find to be effective?
  • What types of summative assessments do you find to be effective?
  • Can you share with me an example of a performance assessment you have found to be an effective measure of students learning.
  • In general, what is your greatest concern regarding the assessment of students.
  • Can you share with me an experience with a student or one of your teachers that comes to mind when you consider these questions?
  • How do you use assessments in your classroom?

Write your blog post:

  • Reflect on the responses you received from your interviews.
  • What are your thoughts on their responses?
  • How would you answer the questions?
  • What do you agree with or disagree with and why?

Field Experience Blog Part 3

Before you write your blog post:

Administer the 10-item test you created in Competency 2. You can administer it as a pre-test prior to instruction, or a post-test following instruction.

Write your blog post:

In your blog post, use charts, graphs, and narrative to analyze your pupil data for the following (BE SPECIFIC):

  • How you made sure the test was accessible for all students (based on data from your edTPA Context for Learning artifact)
  • Student responses on each item
  • Test items that students seemed to comprehend
  • Test items that were particularly challenging for students
  • Next steps for students (individuals, groups, and whole class)
  • Ideas for modifying your test for future use

Use your Context for Learning data as needed to complete this task with a specific group of students in mind.

Submit your Log of Hours (10 hours with signatures).