Saturday 19 January 2013

Keep on Learning

Starting a new phase of my teaching learning journey....my work with student teachers and teachers has led me to coaching a group of learners in exploring assessment practices. My particular passion lies in assessment for learning practices because of its particular capacity to engage and augment any learning situation. When I reflect on my own learning I am constantly trying to incorporate the assessment for learning practices to help me clarify understanding. In otherwards, I try to practice what I teach. (or is it preach) Either way when we use these assessment for learning tools we become effective learners.
Take the time to reflect on your own learning and try to incorporate the assessment for learning tools as you learn them to support your understanding. Tell us what you notice and we'll build on that thinking. Cheers!

7 comments:

Paige said...

This is exciting...I love the way you continually reflect on your learning. You are a master at weaving the assessment into your teaching practice.

Unknown said...

Hi Mary Lynn, your website looks great and I can see that your passion with assessment didn't just begin with our course! I hope this is the format you want us to be commenting in... I'm still unsure if this is the correct location. I'l follow up this week with blog-mates and will have my reflection up by Friday.
Thank-you,
Jamie-Lynn

Mary-Lynn Epps said...

Yes Jamie lynn this is what I was hoping would happen. Now we will keep our fingers crossed for others to follow.

Sandeep Toor said...

Hi Mary Lynn,
Yesterday at Brechin you mentioned that you wanted us to comment on three things; could you please let us know what those three things are?
Thank you,
Sandeep

Mary-Lynn Epps said...

Hi Sandeep

The questions were:
1) How does this exercise and the demo lesson help you construct understanding about assessment for learning practices?
2)What have you become more aware of?
3)How have you been affirmed as a preservice teacher and learner?
4)How has your view of learners and learning been enriched?
5)What impact will this have on your future teaching and learning?
These were the ones at the end of the lesson but feel free to improvise if you would rather discuss something else related to the lesson. Remember it is about your learning so you make it work for you.
Thanks for inquiring!

Sandeep Toor said...

Hi Mary-Lynn,

My view of learners and learning:
Teachers as well as students are learners.
Some criteria was set out for students to use while providing feedback to their story-teller; when a student went outside of those set perimeters, she was told not to. That to me was a learning moment for the teacher. At such a moment, the teacher can have the student provide tips on how to tell a story based on the feedback she gave the teacher. Once the learning has been taken place, then the teacher can remind the student of what the criteria for feedback is. I believe it's important not to make students feel like they've done something wrong when they've strayed from the original instructions of an assignment, rather, they should be made to feel like an integral part of their own learning and teaching community.
I should note that I did hear that particular student's story and based on how she told it, I believe that student would have had some good tips following her feedback to the teacher. I feel that my view of learning has been enriched by the fact that I will strive not to miss opportunities to take a minute and learn from my students when the opportunity should present itself.

Mary-Lynn Epps said...

I love your realization that teachers are learners as well as students. We are always open to learning from our students. Assessment is never meant to stifle a learner but rather help them to move forward with their learning. Using the criteria to guide learning is like having a map to guide you to reach your destination. I agree I would wait for the learner to finish telling their story before I engaged in giving feedback. Glad to see you are reflecting deeply on assessment for learning practices.