Evaluating your students' learning can seem threatening, while measuring their learning seems less so. But is assigning grades as effective a method of evaluation? I do not think grades are as effective. Grades are often given based off a checklist of requirements, and are a black and white measure. Evaluation can be so much more comprehensive, letting the student demonstrate his engagement with the material, as well as his eventual mastery of the material.. In class recently we have talked about using badges for evaluation. The great thing about badges is that they can be given for mastering a skill, and the student then has that physical representation of success. Whereas a grade is only a mark on a paper, clearly marking out whether the student has succeeded or failed.
Woolls talks about how library program evaluation can be assessed by observing rapport between students and staff, surveying staff on how relevant the collections were to their needs, and continuously undertaking the process of program evaluation. After all, if you only evaluate the program if under pressure of losing your job, what does that say about your job as librarian? Always be aware of reporting to your principal about your evaluation processes, so that he knows you are taking your job seriously.
Mueller, J. (2005) Authentic assessment in the classroom…and the library media center.” Library media connection 23(7), 14-18.
In his article, Mueller discusses the need for assessment to go beyond what students know to how students assess and engage their knowledge. Students need to develop tools to evaluate their learning. Mueller says that if teaching something is worth pursuing, then it is also worth assessing to make sure the students grasped the concepts.
Todd, R.J. (2003). School libraries and evidence: Seize the day. Library media connection 22(1), 12-18.
The beginning of Ross' article is pretty neat. He talks about a school librarian from Australia who quite effectively captured her passion in the role of a school librarian. This librarian talks about being at the forefront of information technology and teaching it to students, as well as collaborating with teachers to design best lesson plans. I think this is cool because right away it demonstrates that with technology in today's world, school librarians around the world have so much going for them because they can keep in touch with each other and discuss best methods of assessment. Ross goes on to say that evidence is the new best friend of librarians. When presented effectively, evidence can really shed light on the importance of the school librarian's role as teacher.
Young discusses the importance of collecting data to improve the services of your library media center. I think this article is very important, because it asks the reader to assess what kind of data to collect in order to meet his/her library's needs. Thinking back to our school library defense project, I remember that one of the big studies on the importance of school libraries was actually insignificant because the data was not actually relevant to the issue at hand. When gathering data about your library program, you really need to make sure that your data is relevant to the points you are trying to make. You also need to make sure that your data is presented in a logical and meaningful way. If data is effectively gathered and presented, it can really serve to benefit your library media program.
Overall Thoughts
From the readings today I have concluded that truly effective assessment takes a lot of work. Although not as effective, grading is less time consuming. But in the long run, an effective form of assessment could quite possibly be the deal-breaker when it comes to keeping school libraries alive. Also, a well-designed assessment strategy will probably lead to more passion for the job. If you care so much about your program, you will continue to assess it in order to make it better.
To go along with your thought about a well-designed assessment strategy leading to more passion for the job: I think that when we know which areas to target for improvement, it gives us solid identifiable goals. And it's easy to be more passionate when you know exactly what you're aiming to do.
ReplyDeleteI had honestly never thought about replacing grades with badges, but I like that idea. It's part of gamifying learning. I always thought that badges would be used to complement grades, but I like your idea of having them basically replace grades, in a sense. I think it's kind of funny that grades are so emphasized during grade school years, but when you finally get to universities, you realize they are not as important as the learning experience. I feel like I learned so much better that way, so maybe badges will help students appreciate what they are learning instead of just trying to get good grades.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read about assessment, I think about how hard it is. And time consuming. I keep thinking that at some point in my life I won't feel like I'm reinventing the wheel.
ReplyDeleteyay badges! i'm glad that you can see the value they can provide for assessment and feedback! i look forward to seeing what educators in different contexts will do with them!
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