Personalized Learning: Accommodation or Pandering?

Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesIt seems to be one of the “in” things right now. What does it really mean? Is it always a good thing? How can it be implemented in a way that is meaningful? What Do We Really Mean When We … Continue reading

Assessment, AS, FOR, and OF Learning

Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesThe primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. I came across this while working on my book. ThisĀ approach has become part of the teachingĀ ideology throughout much of Canada (2006 for most of western Canada, 2010 for … Continue reading

What Wellesley learned when it stopped giving out so many A’s – Vox

Approximate Reading Time: 4 minutesI’m not defending grade inflation, but I also think it’s misguided to think every class contains a statistically normal range of abilities. If courses are focused on learning rather than sorting, then the idea of requiring professors to give out … Continue reading

Complexities of Measuring Effectiveness | Connected Principals

Approximate Reading Time: < 1 minuteComplexities of Measuring Effectiveness | Connected Principals. We all seek an easy to understand table, chart, or graph to show our school districtā€™s performance. The media wants an info-graphic to show on the screen or post in the story. We … Continue reading

Cheating to Learn: How a UCLA professor gamed a game theory midterm | Which Way L.A.?

Approximate Reading Time: < 1 minuteCheating to Learn: How a UCLA professor gamed a game theory midterm | Which Way L.A.?. In the end, the students learned what social insects like ants and termites have known for hundreds of millions of years. To win at … Continue reading

Using Standards Based Grading to Drive Instruction

Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesI came across this this morning and it has a lot of good ideas: Keep It Simple Standards-Based Grading | Action-Reaction. In particular, I like: Keeping the number of standards per unit small (like 5ish) Grading standards yes/no – though … Continue reading

Instructional Media

Approximate Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis is a continuation of the conversation started earlier. This link looks like a good starting point – it lists a lot of important considerations related to the evaluation and selection of media. Sadly, much of it is out of … Continue reading