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.

Thai Video: An Inspiration

            Teachers are really the ones who will nurture the next generations. The film showed me the importance of the roles of teachers in the students' lives. Somehow, I felt that teachers have the biggest contribution and I felt scared. The responsibility made me think. 

Am I willing to affect others' lives?

               Before, I only wanted to become a teacher because of my mother. Now that I have watched the short film, I want to pursue teaching even more to change and inspire lives. I want to witness my students' success knowing that I became a part of it.

                 Teachers also have a lot of sacrifices. They give their personal time, effort and love. It requires a lot of commitment and passion to do that. It doesn't matter to me how much time I will invest to studying and teaching because I know it will be worth it in the end.

Quiz No. 2: Typical Catastrophe

             Our quiz had three parts namely the multiple choice type about the levels of affective domain and tools, fill in the blanks about the six pillars of character and constructing affective objectives.

            Distinguishing levels in affective domain is quite easy. Receiving means students are aware and open. Responding means students here participates in the class by answering or asking questions. Valuing is being aware of the worth of a behavior. Organization comes in when students pick the behavior prior to others. Characterization requires consistency, advocacy and it should come naturally.

            In the six pillars of character, the colors helped me recall what they are all about. For trustworthiness, it was blue. The color gold reminded me of the golden rule that states “you shall not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.” Therefore, the color is for respect. For responsibility, it was green. It is about being responsible for a garden or something. Fairness was my favorite because I think orange is a nice color for it. How the orange fruit divided into equal sizes and shapes truly shows what fairness is. Red symbolizes the heart which symbolizes caring. The color purple is for citizenship.

             Affective objectives are hard to make. Nevertheless, they are still important for they determine how a student will learn and what a student can do inside the classroom.

Citizenship: Contributing Yourself

          Citizenship is known to be a part of the six pillars of character that corresponds to being a good neighbor. A person can be considered as a good citizen if he takes part in the development of their country and environment. It is a broad concept to explain. That is why I had a hard time finding the perfect photo that will suit the word.

            I noticed that citizenship is related to trustworthiness because they both have the description, ‘loyal to the country’. I also got confused with responsibility. They possess the key terms, ‘take care of the environment’. Therefore, citizenship is connected to all the remaining pillars of character. A good citizen should respect others, be responsible, be trustworthy, be fair, and be caring.

            The assignment made me reflect to how I contribute to the society. It made think, ‘what am I doing for my country?’ The photo I submitted was a picture of teachers cleaning the school. I can see myself volunteering for it in the future.

            At the end, I realized that to be a good citizen, one should do what they can. Citizenship is the chance to make a difference to the place where you belong. No matter how small the act is, as long as you care for your country, it will always be the same like huge contributions. An individual should be a good example that a country can be proud of. That is what it takes to be a good citizen. 

Affective Objectives: Growing as a Person

        In a learners’ total development, it comprises the cognitive, affective and psychomotor. Affective objectives are the most uncommon among the three. After constructing objectives under it, I realized that it was neglected for a reason that it was the hardest target to accomplish.

            We struggled to make affective objectives. I found out then that it was hard to make one. It was confusing for us to come up with observable behaviors. Unlike the cognitive and psychomotor, affective requires a lot of attention to make it. The levels were hard to distinguish from one another.

            With the help and ideas of my groupmates, we were able to pull off perfect and considerable objectives under the affective domain. Although it was hard to accomplish our task, we were able to finish it. I was enlightened by this activity that students’ development is not only about how they think and how they do things. It is also about how they feel. It can really affect how they will learn in the future.

            Affective objectives can really help the teachers to mold not only “schooled” learners but instead, “educated” students.

Report and activity: A Privilege

              I was tasked to report the affective assessment. Basically, I am the first reporter. I was nervous back then so it showed while I was presenting the lesson. I prepared for that but I reported as if I don't know anything. I learned that I should be more calm and collected while speaking because I know to myself that I mastered my report.

                   The activity we did was "Pass the Answer" since group activities are trends nowadays. Everyone enjoyed and participated. Some were too competitive. Some just supported silently. At the end, we connected the affective in our activity.

Quiz No. 1: Paperless Anxiety

                 

There are two significant things the quiz had showed me.

            The quiz reminded me that keywords are important. Even if the question is long, if one knows the right words, a student will not be confused.

            It is important to pay attention to the basics. For instance, before going to the topic of assessment 2, it is necessary to go back and recall what you have learned in assessment 1. They can determine if a student is ready to go on with a higher level of knowledge. It was good to revive what we know in order for us to understand the new lesson more clearly.

           The basics include the four common terms in assessment which are the assessment, evaluation, measurement and test. Measures of central tendency and measures of variability were also included. The measures of central tendency are a number that can represent a set of numerical data while the measures of variability show the dispersion or differences of individual scores. The numbers there can be described as negatively skewed, positively skewed or normal depending on the distribution of scores.

            As a future teacher, those concepts are very important for handling a class in an effective manner. I can use the assessment as a way to improve what aspect is lacking and utilize more what aspect is necessary.

Mean, Median, Mode: Reacquinted

       Mean, median and mode were already taught to us even before back in high school and elementary days. This activity reminded me of how I love Mathematics. It was my first love before English.

            As future English teachers, we were taught about mainly literature and grammar. During our first year in college, we were given sentences, subject-verb agreement and choosing words as our breakfast every morning. Our lunch was composed of nutritious structure of the English language and our dinner was the different literatures around the world. Because of that experience I thought that I will eventually lost my appetite for numbers.

            Mean is like the average because they have the same formula. Median is the most challenging number to find because you have to arrange first the numbers into chronological order and then, find the middlemost number. The mode is the easiest to find but it is also tricky because you have to make sure that it is really the number that occurs the most frequently.

            Measures of central tendency are very important because it can help a teacher to summarize the results of her students. She can also describe if she got the positively skewed or negatively skewed.

             I realize that if you really love something, that love will never fade away. Mathematics will always be a part of who I am. Now, who says English Majors can’t do math?

Principle No. 8: Reflect Your Own

           

After learning about the principles on high quality assessment, it was quite hard to put them in other expression such as making a poster. I had difficulty in brainstorming my poster. I even encountered a lot of problems and realizations.

    First, I had trouble analyzing the principle #8 (Self-evaluation must be emphasized.) I thought to myself, what is self-evaluation in the first place? Then, I started to look up for things associated with the word. Understanding the principle is one thing but translating what you understand into drawing and combining them to form an art is another matter for me to deal with.

            Second, I felt that drawings were not enough to convey the principle clearly in my poster. I was not satisfied with what I made.

          Lastly, I sensed happiness and satisfaction after I got what I envisioned my poster to be. I learned that in making a poster, it is important to pay attention to every detail. It includes the drawing, the color and the message you are trying to convey. It was truly necessary to use symbols that are interrelated to one another to have harmony.

Scales of Measurement: Present The Numbers!

                    The scales of measurement include the nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio. One must first clearly understand each scale before performing. The nominal means assigning numbers for classification. Ranking the numbers is the ordinal. Interval symbolizes distance between numbers. The ratio shows the true zero value. The task required us to present anything to show the distinction among the scales.

                 In the first scale, we had found out that there was no need for us to make it complex because it was simplest among the four. Nominal is all about giving numbers regardless of their order. It was like giving numbers to marathon runners or assigning jersey numbers for basketball players. Numbers have nothing to do with how the runners will run and how the basketball players will play. They are there to make the group organized.

            Ordinal scale of measurement is similar to ranking the students into top 10 and awarding the winners from first to third place. On one hand, interval can be associated with temperature. It can be hotter in room 201 than room 209. The distance between two lovers in a long distance relationship is also considered as an example of interval. On the other hand, weight and height are examples of ratio. They have zero values.

            At first, it was hard to think what to present. Then, we tried to look around with our surroundings. We saw that the scales’ manifestations can be found everywhere if we just look harder.