Evaluate 3.1.1


When looking at the class as a whole we can see where students are struggling in common areas. On an exam we can differentiate based on the grades received. (I am not currently in a class so I do not have screen shot to provide) If giving an exam and differentiation was needed afterwards I would break the course up into sections. Students scoring 80 and above would be given a webquest or activity to dig deeper into. Students scoring 70-80 would be given practice questions to review the content to mastery level. Students scoring below 70 would work in a small group with me in a re-teach moment to go back over the material and scaffold back up.

In an online setting we can use differentiation in a variety of settings. The students are receiving one on one education. If a student did not do well on an exam we can discuss the material and build off of the misunderstandings. In my previous virtual job I would build upon the material in each modules discussion based assessments. At the end of each module a student would call me to discuss the material and receive the password for the exam. If we were in module 3 and student greatly struggled in module 2 I would use the phone call as remediation for both modules and help students link the material together. Ultimately they will see all the material on the final exam. Virtual education is the golden brick road of IEPs. Individualization, extended time, and other much needed criteria that is hard to meet in traditional school settings can be achieved in the virtual setting. Students can work out of order, they can go back and review, students can work on material receptively until they reach mastery. We want students to have the time needed to build upon the material.

Evaluate 2.1.2

Course: American Government

SSCG3 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the United States Constitution.
a. Explain the main ideas in debate over ratification; include those in The Federalist.

b. Analyze the purpose of government stated in the Preamble of the United States Constitution.

c. Explain the fundamental principles upon which the United States Constitution is based; include the rule of law, popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism.




When establishing a way for students to show mastery of the above standard, we must develop activities that tie in the learning material into the ultimate goal of demonstrating knowledge. It is a way for students to work with the standards and show mastery through the end exam.

United States Constitution

• Pre-test
• 1.00 Ratification Ideas Pamphlet
• 1.01 Constitution quiz
• 1.02 Anti-Federalist/Federalist Speech
• 1.03 Case study fundamental principles
• 1.04 Constitution exam

  

Evaluate 2.1.1

I enjoyed learning more about the details of the actual set up of the virtual classroom used by GAVS. As a previous virtual school teacher, this format looks very similar to what I have used.

 

This is the teachers dashboard. If a teacher is in charge of multiple subjects this is how it will be organized. Teachers will have the class ID number, term, name, section, start and end date, and number of enrollees. *(A new concept to me is the start/end date. In my previous job students had the freedom to start whenever. The course had a designed time table, but students were given longer if necessary as long as actively working). This dashboard is giving the teacher the main outline of their course and responsibilities.

 

This picture gives the specifics of students. Student names, parent names, and contact info is typically on this as well. It shows the funding type of the student, their identification, whether they attended orientation, dropped, and the assessment they plan on taking for the course.

 

Communication logs are extremely important in the virtual world. When you are leaving students and parents messages and not receiving a response it must be documented in case a complaint arises in the future. It gives the view of the students of what type of contact of you made, date, time, and specific information left in the comment section. It is important to be very detailed in the comment section.

 

Student data tracking is important to understand their success in the course. How often are they viewing the page, how many attempts did it take when they mastered the quiz. This information will allow an instructor to counsel a student. If a parent is concerned about a students low grade the teacher can reflect on the time being spent in the course. A more detailed learning plan can be established for the student and help establish a better work schedule for both the student and the parent.

 

 

Feedback is vital for student growth and mastery. In the world of a growth mind set model where students are being challenged, they need the information to help them reach a mastery model. Giving adequate feedback on assignments and allowing students to review material such as quizzes allows a student to grow. Assignments are learning tools toward the mastery of the subject. A teacher needs to live specific, constructive feedback to enhance the education experience of the student.  Feedback is the key to success in an online environment.

 

Evaluate 1.1.3 The summative assessment

During my time teaching AP US History in Brick and Mortar several  years ago, my fellow teacher and I would co plan and create common assessments. Below is an example of an assessment we would have used:

Ch. 30 & 31 Quiz

DIRECTIONS: Write the answer to each question below in the space provided.  (100pts)

 

1. The factor that played a key role in the economic downturn of 1974 and 1975?

A. the oil crisis of 1973 -1974

B. the rapid doubling of national debt

C.  the Iran Hostage Crisis

D. Watergate

E. the Vietnam War

 

2. All of the following are examples of the economic problems of the United States in the early to mid 1970s except:

A. American steel dropped from 60 to 17% of the global annual production

B. the US standard of living dropped to 5^th in the world

C.  dependence on foreign oil grew to 1/3^rd of total annual consumption

D. silicon valley lost its production edge to Japan

E. failure of Ford’s anti-inflation policies

 

3. The MOST important factor in the 1976 presidential election was

A. how cute the presidential nominees were

B. the ongoing economic crisis

C. the public’s mistrust of the government

D.  the runaway growth of national debt

E. the government abuse of the environment

 

4. The three mile island incident led to

A. massive antinuclear protests

B. more stringent laws against chemical dumping

C. creation of the atomic energy commission

D.  the halting of the building of nuclear power plants

E. increased nuclear testing in the United States

 

5. President Carter’s greatest foreign policy achievement was

A. the Panama Canal Treaty

B. ending the Iran Hostage Crisis

C.  ending the oil crisis

D. the Camp David Accords

E. ending the Cold War

 

6. The one event that contributed the MOST to the defeat of Carter in the 1980 presidential election was

A. The Love Canal Incident

B. The Three Mile Island incident

C. The Iran Hostage Crisis

D. The Failure of the Camp David Accords

E. Carter’s support of the ERA

 

7. Supply side economics (Reaganomics) favored

A. increased government spending to stimulate the economy

B. the proliferation of the rich

C. high interest rates

D. moderate tax cuts

E. economic aid to the poor

 

8. During the Reagan years, all of the following suffered severe economic reductions EXCEPT

A. urban aid

B. education

C. health care

D. defense

E. environment

 

9. All of the following were supporters of the New Right Movement EXCEPT

A. Billy Graham

B. Phyllis Schlafly

C. Jerry Falwell

D. Jesse Helms

E. Henry Kissinger

10. The major drug problem in the 1980s

A. heroin

B. LSD

C. crack cocaine

D. marijuana

E. mushrooms

 

11. George H.W. Bush, supported all of the following EXCEPT

A.     The Americans with Disabilities Act

B.     Tripling the budget for the war on drugs

C.     The invasion of Panama to capture General Noriega

D.     The family leave bill

E.     The funding of new prisons

 

12. The United States’ response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait was to

A.     Organize immediately an alliance to force Iraq out.

B.     declare war on Iraq in January 1991

C.     swiftly bomb the Iraqi’s out of Kuwait

D.     recognize Iraq as a Bulwark against Iran

E.     demonize Saddam Hussein in November justify an attack

 

13. The Persian Gulf War

A.     was fought almost exclusively by traditional means

B.     brought greater freedom to minorities in Iraq

C.     led to the capture of Saddam Hussein

D.     produced extensive ecological damage

E.     had surprisingly few civilian deaths

 

14. In the 1992 campaign, Clinton adopted all of the following positions EXCEPT

A.     be tough on crime

B.     reduce the bureaucracy

C.     privatize Social Security

D.     cut taxes for the middle class

E.     reforming welfare

 

15. All of the following are true of Silicon Valley EXCEPT

A.     its early firms began by relying on military contracts

B.     it had no real competition anywhere

C.     it benefited from having a cheap, non-union labor pool

D.     its growth exploded with the consumer electronics revolution

E.     it boosted the greatest concentration of new wealth in the US

 

16. The boom of the 1990s

A.     left a higher percentage of people in poverty than ever

B.     allowed women to earn much more compared to men

C.     did little to close the gap between the best and poorest paid

D.     promoted real improvement  in race relations

E.     closed the gap between the best and poorest paid citizens with the increase in minimum wage

 

17. Which event happened last?

A.     George W. Bush defeated Al Gore for president

B.     President Clinton is re-elected

C.     Republicans announce “Contract with America”

D.     Impeachment trial of President Clinton

E.     Terrorist attack New York City and the Pentagon

 

18. All of the following were elements of Reagan’s foreign policy EXCEPT

A. American intervention in the third world

B. funding national security programs

C. reduction of nuclear weapons

D. cold war patriotism

E. the Star Wars Program

 

19. The leader who initiated in reforms in the Soviet Union

A. Konstantin Cheropov

B. Mikhail Gorbachev

C. Yuri Andropov

D. Leonid Breschnev

E. Vladimir Putin

 

20. All of the following were involved in the Iran-Contra affair EXCEPT

A. John Poindexter

B. William Casey

C. Muamar Qaddafi

D. Ronald Reagan

E. Oliver North

 

The format of the test is identical to that of an AP exam. We used inspiration from past published exams to help students prepare for the ultimate goal of the course, passing the AP exam. As a team we met to discuss the different levels of questions and their authenticity for the AP exam format.
When creating an exam we need to establish the validity and of the exam. Validity is making sure the exam aligns to the standards. We need to make sure our exams are not swamped with level 1 and 2 questions, but a broad variety. Reliability is making sure that the test is fair no matter to which class it is issued to.

During my time as a virtual school teacher we did not create our assessments; this was up to the curriculum team. We did this because no matter which online teacher a student received they would be receiving the exact same course and same testing material. Many brick and mortar schools are going to this same approach. The standards are the same no matter the teacher, which means assessments should be equal among colleagues. Collaborating and teaming together allows for the standards to be assessed in similar fashions and ensure validity and reliability of the teaching.

Evaluate 1.1.2 Quality Feedback

The biggest advice I can give with feedback is to make it personal to students. Obviously there are tools to allow feedback to be entered rather quickly, but it's the one on one connection that creates a great online school.

Feedback should always include the following:
1. The student's name
2. What the student did right
3. What the student needs improvement on with specifics

Below is an example of feedback I might leave for a student on an assignment. The assignment requires students to conduct an interview or imaginary interview with someone in the naturalization process. They are to ask the questions provided as well as create 3 questions of their own. At the end of the assignment they are to answer two reflection questions over the naturalization process. Johnnie completed the first half of the assignment, but forgot the reflection.

Thank you for your submission Johnnie!  Your naturalization interview was amazing! You did a great job interviewing your friend on their experience with the naturalization process. Please remember to include your two paragraph reflection of the interview and process as well for full credit. Add this and resubmit for more points. Thanks! Mrs Lee

Evaluate 1.1.1 Formative Assessment

When developing a course the units and assignments should flow together. When a student opens up module 1 the first thing they should see is a pre test. Once completing the pre test they will dive into the readings, videos, and tutorials. As they work through the course different assignments will be embedded along the way. These will consist of activities such as essays, presentations, quizzes, and exams. Ultimately they are used as check points along the way to ensure mastery of the material before the student reaches the end of the module to take the module exam. Student's need check points along the way to ensure mastery. In an online setting the module exam and final exam should be password protected. As the student works through the lessons they are submitting their assessments and receiving feedback. Typically at the end of the unit the student will call the teacher where the material can be discussed and reviewed. At that point the teacher can assess the student's knowledge and either allow the student the password for the exam or give tutorials of what needs to be redone before accessing the exam.

An example of an assessment is below:

Media and Politics

Let’s put your knowledge to work! You have been studying how media evolved over time and how political messages function. Now help your local paper create a news article that will help everyone understand the function media has in politics.

Steps: 

1. Choose a campaign video or political cartoon of your choice.

2. Analyze the political message delivered by your chosen media item. Explain the background of your media choice and explain what bias the message reveals and how.

 3. In conclusion discuss how media has changed over time and how this has changed the political arena.

 

Create 4.1.3 Aggregating Lesson Material

1. Schoology is a user-friendly site. You can create and share academic content and uses the cloud-based system that so many people are using now. It is an LMS system and allows for online classroom development. It is a free source which is beneficial for many schools on tight budgets.

2. Drupal is another free source that allows for creation of courses, basic websites, discussion boards, and blogs. It has a wide variety of options beyond course creation.

3. Edmodo is another free format that looks similar to most social media formats. It is more of a sharing source where viewers can share and present information.