Comments for Science Education on the Edge http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org Experimenting with student-centered science education Fri, 18 May 2012 18:43:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on THIS is why I love digital portfolios: what do my classes look like? by Chris Ludwig http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=644&cpage=1#comment-891 Chris Ludwig Fri, 18 May 2012 18:43:29 +0000 http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=644#comment-891 Ryan, The ePortfolio not only influences the grade for the course, it determines the grade for the course. Right now I'm in the process of grading finished portfolios and I simply go back and forth between the 9 standards in our online grade book (Infinite Campus) and the 9 major standards in the portfolio. Since we've been grading this way all year, students are pretty clear about how this works and have produced some pretty good evidence for each of the standards. This portfolio system has worked particularly well in anatomy and biology where we do a fair bit of blogging about conceptual stuff. It looks a little more sparse in chemistry where we are pretty lab heavy and have less blogging to bulk out a portfolio, but there are still some impressive portfolios coming out of that course too. Ryan,
The ePortfolio not only influences the grade for the course, it determines the grade for the course. Right now I’m in the process of grading finished portfolios and I simply go back and forth between the 9 standards in our online grade book (Infinite Campus) and the 9 major standards in the portfolio. Since we’ve been grading this way all year, students are pretty clear about how this works and have produced some pretty good evidence for each of the standards. This portfolio system has worked particularly well in anatomy and biology where we do a fair bit of blogging about conceptual stuff. It looks a little more sparse in chemistry where we are pretty lab heavy and have less blogging to bulk out a portfolio, but there are still some impressive portfolios coming out of that course too.

]]> Comment on THIS is why I love digital portfolios: what do my classes look like? by Ryan Woodside http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=644&cpage=1#comment-889 Ryan Woodside Fri, 18 May 2012 18:05:49 +0000 http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=644#comment-889 Chris, Thanks you for posting the sample ePortfolio. ePortfolios are something that I've been thinking about over the last couple of years and I've had a difficult time visualizing the role they will play in my assessment system. How does a student's ePortfolio influence their grade in your course? Chris,
Thanks you for posting the sample ePortfolio. ePortfolios are something that I’ve been thinking about over the last couple of years and I’ve had a difficult time visualizing the role they will play in my assessment system. How does a student’s ePortfolio influence their grade in your course?

]]> Comment on Skills-Based Grading: Trying to Avoid the Standards-Based Tag by Chris Cooper http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=329&cpage=1#comment-858 Chris Cooper Thu, 10 May 2012 19:57:34 +0000 http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=329#comment-858 Chris, I just happened across this post (Google search for Skills Based Grading) and feel affirmed by you in what I'm trying (tried) in my own classroom this year. Interestingly, I also teach in Colorado and have called my new system Skills-Based Grading. I "piloted" this system in my AP Literature classes and am pleased with the result. I'm going to take some time later (when I'm not in school) to check out all your links. I would love to exchange some ideas with you, as I sort through the plusses and minuses from this year. Chris Cooper Chris,

I just happened across this post (Google search for Skills Based Grading) and feel affirmed by you in what I’m trying (tried) in my own classroom this year. Interestingly, I also teach in Colorado and have called my new system Skills-Based Grading. I “piloted” this system in my AP Literature classes and am pleased with the result. I’m going to take some time later (when I’m not in school) to check out all your links. I would love to exchange some ideas with you, as I sort through the plusses and minuses from this year.

Chris Cooper

]]> Comment on On why standards-based grading isn’t enough to transform a classroom by ccook http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=338&cpage=1#comment-855 ccook Tue, 08 May 2012 17:31:59 +0000 http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=338#comment-855 http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html is an interesting video on motivation and how rewards (I see grades) affect it. http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html

is an interesting video on motivation and how rewards (I see grades) affect it.

]]> Comment on Why I abandoned my AppleTV for Airserver by Efren's Blog http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=600&cpage=1#comment-830 Efren's Blog Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:33:26 +0000 http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=600#comment-830 [...] Science Education on the Edge · Why I abandoned my AppleTV for Airserver: see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=600 Like this:LikeBe the first to like this [...] [...] Science Education on the Edge · Why I abandoned my AppleTV for Airserver: see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=600 Like this:LikeBe the first to like this [...]

]]> Comment on Standards-based grading support group: Teachers Teaching on the Prairie podcast by Jeff Szarzi http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=520&cpage=1#comment-786 Jeff Szarzi Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:37:55 +0000 http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=520#comment-786 I have a lot of experience with teaching standards-based/performance-based grading in science. Our school moved to standards-based curriculum five years ago. Let me know if you need help. I have a lot of experience with teaching standards-based/performance-based grading in science. Our school moved to standards-based curriculum five years ago. Let me know if you need help.

]]> Comment on 2010-2011: My Standards-Based Grading Year in Review by Chris Ludwig http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=420&cpage=1#comment-778 Chris Ludwig Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:06:15 +0000 http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=420#comment-778 Sunny, I'm sure, like most things, that there are good and bad implementations of an idea. I don't know your exact situation, but at its best, this sort of SBG system asks students to develop a variety of skills that they will use the rest of their lives. Gathering points for an A is ok, if it teaches you hard work and dedication, but sometimes there are other skills such as data analysis, communication, and working with technology that are of lasting importance too. I'm sorry that you are stuck in a system in which it seems that perfection is the goal, but in all honesty, there's no reason that anyone should get an A just for turning everything in. In my classes, like those of many teachers across the country, the A is reserved for those students who go above and beyond what is taught or expected in class. An A means you really know the content and have mastered all of the expected skills. Now if that list of skills is reasonable, the system works. If the goals are completely unattainable, then I think you need to have some discussions with your teacher about how their system is set up. Sunny,
I’m sure, like most things, that there are good and bad implementations of an idea. I don’t know your exact situation, but at its best, this sort of SBG system asks students to develop a variety of skills that they will use the rest of their lives. Gathering points for an A is ok, if it teaches you hard work and dedication, but sometimes there are other skills such as data analysis, communication, and working with technology that are of lasting importance too. I’m sorry that you are stuck in a system in which it seems that perfection is the goal, but in all honesty, there’s no reason that anyone should get an A just for turning everything in. In my classes, like those of many teachers across the country, the A is reserved for those students who go above and beyond what is taught or expected in class. An A means you really know the content and have mastered all of the expected skills. Now if that list of skills is reasonable, the system works. If the goals are completely unattainable, then I think you need to have some discussions with your teacher about how their system is set up.

]]> Comment on 3rd Q recap: why I’ll keep using ePortfolios by Katie http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=577&cpage=1#comment-776 Katie Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:11:25 +0000 http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=577#comment-776 You are my hero! I was doing some quick research, because I'm getting ready to "try out" SBG in my 8th grade language arts classroom this final quarter and needed some more ideas or information about how to do so. I have gotten so much help and ideas from everything on here! The best part is next year, I will be part of a pilot program based on a blended learning philosophy. We will have greater access to technology and be expected to use it in the teaching and learning. You have given me TONS of ideas on how to use that as I change to teaching social studies. Thank you, thank you, thank you! If you don't mind, I would love to keep in touch for feedback and ideas purposes as I prepare for the transition. Thank you again! (And my blog has nothing to do with school.) You are my hero! I was doing some quick research, because I’m getting ready to “try out” SBG in my 8th grade language arts classroom this final quarter and needed some more ideas or information about how to do so. I have gotten so much help and ideas from everything on here! The best part is next year, I will be part of a pilot program based on a blended learning philosophy. We will have greater access to technology and be expected to use it in the teaching and learning. You have given me TONS of ideas on how to use that as I change to teaching social studies. Thank you, thank you, thank you! If you don’t mind, I would love to keep in touch for feedback and ideas purposes as I prepare for the transition. Thank you again! (And my blog has nothing to do with school.)

]]> Comment on 2010-2011: My Standards-Based Grading Year in Review by Sunny http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=420&cpage=1#comment-775 Sunny Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:15:55 +0000 http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=420#comment-775 I HATE THIS TYPE OF GRADING SYSTEM! I'M A FRESHMAN IN BIOLOGY AND I HAVE ALL As EXPECT FOR BIOLOGY AND ITS GETTING ON MY NERVES! I GET 1 WRONG OUT OF 8 AND NOW I HAVE A B. GREAT! YOU HAVE TO BE EXACTLY PERFECT JUST TO GET A FRIKIN A WITH SBG, AND ITS TERRIBLE! WHY IN THE WORLD IS THIS HERE? ITS USELESS TO THE STUDENTS! IT MEASURES PERFECTION AND NOT SKILLS I HATE THIS TYPE OF GRADING SYSTEM! I’M A FRESHMAN IN BIOLOGY AND I HAVE ALL As EXPECT FOR BIOLOGY AND ITS GETTING ON MY NERVES! I GET 1 WRONG OUT OF 8 AND NOW I HAVE A B. GREAT! YOU HAVE TO BE EXACTLY PERFECT JUST TO GET A FRIKIN A WITH SBG, AND ITS TERRIBLE! WHY IN THE WORLD IS THIS HERE? ITS USELESS TO THE STUDENTS! IT MEASURES PERFECTION AND NOT SKILLS

]]> Comment on Blogging in the Science Classroom: The Worksheet is Dead by Miz Walsh http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=442&cpage=1#comment-730 Miz Walsh Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:25:14 +0000 http://see.ludwig.lajuntaschools.org/?p=442#comment-730 I'm a (sort of first-year) middle school math teacher in an overcrowded, urban, high SES school who took over a very challenging set of classes after the original teacher quit last October. It's been a rough year. At the semester, 57% of my eighth grade math students had less than a C, and I was spending all of my energy controlling the classes' behavior and had nothing left for teaching content. (Not that I could get through two sentences without having to address behavior issues, so I'm not entirely sure I can even say I was teaching content...) I decided to make the switch to standards-based grading at the semester because many of my colleagues in different departments were having success using that approach with our shared students and I needed to do SOMETHING different. It was incredibly difficult to make the switch mid-year, especially because my 3-day weekend between semesters was lost due to snow days. (Curse you, Father Winter!!! It's not supposed to snow in SEATTLE!!!) So I've been playing catch-up for I'm not sure how long now, but the change I've seen in my classroom is like... well, it's nothing short of miraculous. For the first time ever, every single one of my students (with one exception) was engaged in learning for (almost) the entire period, all day long. They get the "it's about learning" philosophy of SBG because they've been hearing the same stuff in science, LA and SS all year. SBG taps into their innate sense of wanting to become better people, which I think is something middle schoolers have that high schoolers sometimes lose as their experiences drive them towards cynicism and apathy. But I digress... I'm posting about this because i found your blog last weekend, and it's been inspiring to read about your "process". I actually used your 2010-2011 end of year recap post as a link in my "Why Standards-Based Grading" post on my class website (that is currently used almost exclusively by parents, but baby steps, right?). Your ideas about how to use blogging as assessment are FUCKIN AWESOME and once i get caught up and start being able to sleep more than 4 or 5 hours a night (i wish i were kidding!) I'm going to think about how I could incorporate these ideas into my own practice. You are totally and 100% my hero. Keep posting. I’m a (sort of first-year) middle school math teacher in an overcrowded, urban, high SES school who took over a very challenging set of classes after the original teacher quit last October. It’s been a rough year. At the semester, 57% of my eighth grade math students had less than a C, and I was spending all of my energy controlling the classes’ behavior and had nothing left for teaching content. (Not that I could get through two sentences without having to address behavior issues, so I’m not entirely sure I can even say I was teaching content…) I decided to make the switch to standards-based grading at the semester because many of my colleagues in different departments were having success using that approach with our shared students and I needed to do SOMETHING different. It was incredibly difficult to make the switch mid-year, especially because my 3-day weekend between semesters was lost due to snow days. (Curse you, Father Winter!!! It’s not supposed to snow in SEATTLE!!!) So I’ve been playing catch-up for I’m not sure how long now, but the change I’ve seen in my classroom is like… well, it’s nothing short of miraculous. For the first time ever, every single one of my students (with one exception) was engaged in learning for (almost) the entire period, all day long. They get the “it’s about learning” philosophy of SBG because they’ve been hearing the same stuff in science, LA and SS all year. SBG taps into their innate sense of wanting to become better people, which I think is something middle schoolers have that high schoolers sometimes lose as their experiences drive them towards cynicism and apathy. But I digress…

I’m posting about this because i found your blog last weekend, and it’s been inspiring to read about your “process”. I actually used your 2010-2011 end of year recap post as a link in my “Why Standards-Based Grading” post on my class website (that is currently used almost exclusively by parents, but baby steps, right?). Your ideas about how to use blogging as assessment are FUCKIN AWESOME and once i get caught up and start being able to sleep more than 4 or 5 hours a night (i wish i were kidding!) I’m going to think about how I could incorporate these ideas into my own practice.

You are totally and 100% my hero. Keep posting.

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