This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
9/15/2014 Question of the week
When I reflect over the last week I recognize several things I would have done different if I could go back and do them over. The one thing that far out ways everything else was my decision to have a major project and an open note test on Friday, which was the Friday before a week long break. I realize the pressure the students were under since the majority of their classes had projects due or tests/quizzes the same day. It also created a lot of undo stress on myself since it was my goal to have everything graded prior to leaving Saturday to go out of town. If I had it all to do over again I would have had the project due on Thursday and the open note test on Wednesday. This would have created a less stressful day for myself and my students.
Elissa Response :
ReplyDeleteI totally understand!! I do this way too often we feel like we can handle it and then we realize painfully that we can’t and neither can the students. I hate scantron and as I teach more I love it! I hand graded every test last year and wore myself out! I have started doing group projects and more labs in place of test so I can see they know it!
Elissa
Elissa,
ReplyDeleteThis is what I do, I reserve Friday for the CTSO and I always test on Thursdays or Wednesday because of dual enrollment. And try to use the l use the lesson that I created over the summer. When I do these things I do not have to do a lot of adjustments. Aside from the use brain surgery on my students. And of course there always the administration piece. For that just try and schedule someone one on one time to get on the same page. Even when you’re not it still show that you made an attempt to be a team player.
I totally agree about dates of assignments. I usually struggle coming up with a good day for quizzes/tests/projects because there never seems to be a good day. I will say that what you taught me this summer on ZipGrades has changed a lot for me! I would do zipgrades for all tests if I could! Of course, there is the question about kids who are behind and nothing you do seems to help - I feel so hopeless in those times. I do love projects more than tests, but I sometimes feel like I'm cheating them because they're not getting an exact multiple choice, essay, matching, etc. test.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteWhat your fellow cohort member have said to you are exaclty what I would say. You got a lot of great feedback for your situation. I understand putting pressure on yourself to get things graded before leaving for Florida. I am the same way. I agree with the others, move it up in the week. You figured that out youself as well with is productive reflection. Dr. J.