Artifacts Explained

            I have attached 6 artifacts, which can be found on their appropriate page. I have used each and every artifact either as a student or as a teacher. I believe that these artifacts represent a variety of ways in which a teacher can assess the classroom.

Assessment FOR:

            I have included a Kahoot quiz that I administered at the very beginning of my unit for my grade 10 class. The goal for this quiz was to see what knowledge the class have, prior to this unit. If I noticed students were especially weak in one question, I might focus more time on this subject. In addition, I was able to see what interests were by reactions to each question. This quiz was not for grades.

            I have also added a blank map of Canada. This map quiz could be used on the very first day of a grade 9 geography class. I took part in a quiz identical to this on my very first day of grade 9. This was used by the teacher to gauge our classes understanding on geography and I’m sure this gave him an idea on the pace and direction he would need to take in the course.

Assessment AS:

            I have attached an image of generic template for an exit ticket. Although this was not the exact template I used, I did use exit tickets several times throughout my placement. This told me what the students had learned and if I was unclear at any point during my lesson. This helped me to spend more time on certain topics and to move on, depending on what student answers were.

            I have attached a traffic light activity. This is a very simple way to see how students are feeling to certain topics during a unit or lesson. If the class is overwhelmingly thumbs up (green light), it is easy for the teacher to move on. If there are a large amount of students with a yellow or red light, the teacher will know to clarify things or to change instructional methods.

            Each of these forms of assessment are very simple to administer to the class and can help the teacher greatly.

Assessment OF:

            I have attached a unit test I administered during my first placement. This test covers each of the 4 major categories (Thinking, Application, Knowledge and Communication). These categories were not quite proportionate to each other due to the previous assignments used in the unit, creating an equal 25% balance. This test was used to evaluate students as a final activity for the unit.

            I have attached a rubric I used during my placement to mark presentations. The assignment was also a final activity during the unit, which was used for an application and communication grade. I wanted to show an alternative to a final test. Another alternative would be using a checklist rather than a rubric.

            I find each of these artifacts valuable to my own teaching. I have experienced each and every form and have seen how useful each can be, as well as my own preferences. I will continue to use each of these (in one way or another) during my own practice.