Rubric: From Draft to Craft

I was confused between the difference of Holistic and Analytic Rubric. I didn't know what to do at first. I can't contribute.

The Draft - We were fighting and arguing about their difference that we forgot that we have a leader who can settle our disputes. I was trying to convince them about my opinion. I realized then that I am being a one-woman show which is not appropriate in a group task.

               I was able to learn that an analytic rubric resembles a grid with the criteria for a student product listed in the leftmost column and with levels of performance listed across the top row often using numbers and/or descriptive tags. The cells within the center of the rubric may be left blank or may contain descriptions of what the specified criteria look like for each level of performance. When scoring with an analytic rubric each of the criteria is scored individually while a holistic rubric consists of a single scale with all criteria to be included in the evaluation being considered together (e.g., clarity, organization, and mechanics). With a holistic rubric the rater assigns a single score (usually on a 1 to 4 or 1 to 6 point scale) based on an overall judgment of the student work. The rater matches an entire piece of student work to a single description on the scale.

The Craft - I was proud that we were not the last group to finish the task. We worked so hard for it but I saw our product and it was worth it.

Acrostic: I Became a Poet

                    Acrostic is supposed to be a composition in verse in which sets taken in order form a word or phrase or a regular sequence of letters of the alphabet.

                I was never a poet. Yes, I write compositions such as essay, feature and editorial but making poetry is another matter. I’m the kind of person who wants to communicate in a direct and simple manner while poetry demands flowery words and idioms. That was my first problem in making it.

                  I didn’t know the information about portfolio. Before making it, I searched and read about it. I even asked my mother to explain it to me. The moment I understood that portfolio is a type of alternative assessment that assesses the students’ achievement and reflections, I began conceptualizing.

                The word that came out to my mind is SELF-EVALUATION because I learned that portfolio can help students see and evaluate their own learning. This can make them be responsible managers of their own learning if they truly care for themselves. Though the word is quite long, I think that it was enough to fit all the information about portfolios.

                   I tried to put rhyme to make the acrostic somewhat poetic-like because I can’t give creative words just like the others. My favorite line in my piece was the “Feelings, reflections, experiences trapped but echoes.” I know that some learning is not evident but because of portfolio, students can express their feelings and reflections.

Variety Show: Part of a Team!

We really were all in this TOGETHER!

            Being a part of a team was not my thing. I used the word ‘was’ because that was before the variety show came. I became the assistant director and secretary. I love our concept which was the Disney World.

             A problem arises when some of us didn’t like the concept. Some of us didn’t want to be part of any of the divided groups (singers, dancers and props). What we did was to talk to them and ask them what they want to do instead. They don’t have an alternative idea for it so we decided that the show must go on and we will be using the Disney.

            The princesses were our priority. We downloaded songs and videos for them to study. I helped in teaching our ‘Moana’ with her song ‘How Far I’ll Go’. It was hard for me to teach vocal lessons because I only know the tune and lyrics but I am not an effective singer. It took 9 sessions of listening, altering and even choreographing the steps of Moana.

            One week before the show, most of the class went to the singer group. As an assistant director, I monitor and ask what is happening per group. The dancers are having a hard time because they were only 10 people in it. They asked me if I could join them and I did.

            I learned that if you are a part of a team, you should your part regardless if you love the concept or not. Go to the group that would showcase your talent and abilities. Don’t let laziness overcome you. Don’t be afraid to express yourself if necessary.

Midterm: Satisfied :)

The number of my effort.

            Multiple choice type of test was the format of our midterm examination. It is considered as the most practical tool in terms of administrability, economy and scorability but it is also considered as the most challenging to make. It also tests the students’ higher level thinking or analytical thinking but most students guess their answers by looking at the options.

            I found the midterm hard because the options were well thought out. Even the distracters look like the correct answer. All the options are equally matched for each question. I can’t even guess. Students can guess but their guesses have little hope for correct answer. That is what it takes for distracters to be effective.

            It was easy to check the multiple choice type. The teacher just says the correct letter for each number. There was no need to be strict with the spelling, capitalization and grammar.

            I felt ashamed that I am a student of the Tarlac State University but I don’t even know our own mission and vision. I stared at my test paper for about 5 minutes. It was enough for me to realized that studying only the content of our lesson is not enough to accomplish the university’s vision and mission. A student should know the vision and mission to be aware of the university’s true target.

QUIZ BEE: Boards up!

             I am very used to quiz bees in group but when I heard that we will be having one, I still felt excited and pump up. I thought that at least I am not the only one who will think. I have my group mates to help me.

           Quiz bee is often done to test the learning of students. I think it is an effective way of assessing students because:

1. It involves group dynamics and therefore, it promotes camaraderie.

2. Students can enjoy the assessment.

3. It has a time limit so the teacher can also test the speed and accuracy of answers.

4. Everyone can contribute and be monitored by the teacher.

           

            We also encountered problems like we don’t know the answer and we have limited time to think. Before raising our board, we asked each other if they agree with our final answer. Anyone can give and they are being considered. If majority wants it, we are confident to show our answers. If there are any conflicts about the answers, we settle it with votes.

            Listening to everyone’s opinion is very important. Some people are just shy to tell the answer even if they are certain about it. That is why it is important to ask them and hear their thoughts.

GRASPS Model: Prophet of a Performance

            This was an easy task to make because I have my group who were cooperative. Grasps model was introduced to us beforehand during our discussion in Assessment 2. I took down notes and other information about that is why we were equipped with knowledge before doing it.

            First, we came up with the idea of using a play as a task since we are English Major Students. The most popular play we know was the “Romeo and Juliet of William Shakespeare.”

            Now that our concept was settled and accepted by everyone, we continued the task. I ask each of them to give their suggestions one by one per letter. Then, I combine and organize their thoughts. That is how we came up with our product. All of us are giving comments and listening to one another. Our opinions were respected and treated fairly.

            We tried to visualize the performance task we wanted to see. Our chosen role is the director of the play depicting the characters in Romeo and Juliet. Our audience was all English Majors and their advisers. The situation will be directing the target play, internalizing every characters and crafting props and backdrops. The students will present a role play with complete props and costumes to meet the requirement for midterm. The play will be judge by its content, creativity and conviction.

            I was the one initiated the exchanging ideas. I learned that one member of the group must have the initiative to lead the group. That will help the group to be calmer and collected rather than waiting for one another to initiate.

Psychomotor Objectives: Making a Move

       
         Forming objectives for psychomotor domain seems to be fine for me but performing the expected outcomes is not easy. The task made me think about that students can face also difficulties in facing those objectives. I guess it is why psychomotor assessment is the highest form of assessment. It tests not only their motor skills but also their cognitive aspect. One student can’t perform without knowing and understanding concepts.

            In our total performance, I found out that psychomotor was indeed about process and product. For instance, in our presentation, we created origami. It was significant to know first the process in order for you to produce a product. The product on the other hand is the proof the skill learned.

            I had a glance of every level in this domain because we were able to perform it. Every level is important because they can help a student master the skill in no time. I saw the importance of the psychomotor in our activity. Without it, students will only develop their cognitive and affective. The things they learned will never put on action. Only words will come out from the learners not efforts.