tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1562434481622970063.post2665154663707253597..comments2014-09-20T20:29:52.697-04:00Comments on Notes on the whiteboard: Information systems in schoolsJohnCosbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757966427479390484noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1562434481622970063.post-76311280834640326742009-01-14T14:48:00.000-05:002009-01-14T14:48:00.000-05:00Any tragedy in schools is so hard on the staff and...Any tragedy in schools is so hard on the staff and students. I know we are very proud of our staff for once again pulling together and making the best of an impossible situation. <BR/><BR/>Prior knowledge information is so important. With the use of video, pictures, stories, and other resources we can often trigger someones prior knowledge or at least give a student background on a subject by first viewing a video, picture, or story and then discussing it before we begin a unit of study. Another powerful way to create prior knowledge and background knowledge is through vocabulary notebooks. This is a notebook students carry with them from class to class and year to year, which covers all of the vocabulary they have learned at school in all of the various disciplines. This is really a goal of mine for school, to have students create vocabulary notebooks, which will then require teachers to select the vocaubalry they need for their subjects ahead of time. Marzano has two good books on this subject, as do many other educational authors. <BR/><BR/>The state only requires testing if students want to test out of a required Michigan Merit Curriculum subject. It is the schools responsibility to have tests prepared in case a student wishes to choose that route. But I think you make a solid point for why pre-testing is important. Of course, there should always be a pre-test for a unit of instruction, which should be done before each unit so the instructor can see what students know. This would be assessment for learning. Using the results and data to drive the instruction. The assessment at the end of the unit or the final exam would be an assessment of learning. Meaning the results and data are used to inform what was learned. Both types of assessment are important and should be used. We all need further training in this area. <BR/><BR/> Grading and reporting are two areas we can all study and attempt to become more efficient. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for letting me share a little. We could discuss these topics and many others for long periods of time.Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10801451348746147978noreply@blogger.com