The evaluation of a physical education program involves many components. These components incorporate triangulation, which include student learning, curriculum and opportunity, and community impact. Student learning is possible through the use of effective assessment while curriculum and opportunity is measured by curriculum design and its implementation. Community impact is evaluated through program costs and how well the program communicates progress to students and parents.
It’s important to remember that students should be assessed by all three domains of learning. Physical educators must utilize the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains when evaluating student progress and skill acquisition. This is possible by incorporating various assessments that include written tests and quizzes, skill tests, WebQuests, research projects, and role play scenarios. An effective program also involves teacher evaluation. The combination of student assessment and teacher evaluation influences the overall effectiveness of the curriculum.
People must also realize the impact of a program depends on the budget. The best physical education programs usually have large amounts of equipment, numerous accessories (rock wall, weight room, etc.), and various program opportunities (Adventure Education, Outdoor Adventure, etc.). Unfortunately, many schools are not able to budget all of this. This is why teacher evaluation is so important because good teachers can adapt to anything. These individuals are able to communicate progress to students and parents as well as create a positive learning environment. The current economic problems will continue to influence physical education programs but good teachers will always be available.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A Response to Master Grade
The Master Grade program was extremely easy to use. I was able to insert student’s names, add classes, put in assignments, calculate grades, and incorporate multiple grading scales. This was all done efficiently and it only took a few minutes to get used to implementing. There is probably more I could have done but this program fulfilled all my basic needs. So I have no complaints about Master Grade besides the fact it only has a 30 day free trial!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Master Grade
I have decided to use Master Grade by Maxium Developments Inc. for my grade book. This grading apparatus can be found at http://www.maxium.com/. This program is assessable for Mac and Windows users. There are various features associated with this program. A user can insert assignments, seating charts, and calculate grades, incorporate an unlimited amount of classes and students, add student notes/comments, e-mail addresses, and photos, and also take attendance.
So far this software seems easy to use. Navigation doesn’t seem too difficult because it’s a basic program. There are a lot of pros associated with this program with minimal cons. The only issues revolve around the fact that report cards/progress reports associated with Master Grade obviously wouldn’t correlate with the school an educator is working at. Grading category options may also be a concern for some educators.
So far this software seems easy to use. Navigation doesn’t seem too difficult because it’s a basic program. There are a lot of pros associated with this program with minimal cons. The only issues revolve around the fact that report cards/progress reports associated with Master Grade obviously wouldn’t correlate with the school an educator is working at. Grading category options may also be a concern for some educators.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Marzano
Marzano’s book included a lot of information on curriculum and assessment ideas. Feedback is one of the most important aspects mentioned by Marzano. Feedback facilitates learning and this can change assessment. Students need a positive learning environment to succeed. Corrective feedback through face to face communication is essential. Teachers have to get students to buy into their teaching and it’s possible through communication.
Assessment plans need to include both formative and summative assessments. WebQuests and self evaluation of skills are forms of formative assessment because they both allow the students to take an active role and responsibility for their learning. The WebQuest allows the students to do their own thing in regards to their work and the self evaluation of skills will force the students to assess their own movements. A summative assessment would be end of the unit tests that teachers usually give. These tests summarize a unit that was learned.
Marzano believes standards are an issue and I disagree with him. I understand that there are a lot of things that need to be done in order to teach to all standards and it’s nearly impossible. Physical education teachers should be given more time to teach but I am not going down that road in this posting. The thing is that most teachers don’t teach towards the standards and there needs to be a better effort in reversing that dilemma.
Assessment plans need to include both formative and summative assessments. WebQuests and self evaluation of skills are forms of formative assessment because they both allow the students to take an active role and responsibility for their learning. The WebQuest allows the students to do their own thing in regards to their work and the self evaluation of skills will force the students to assess their own movements. A summative assessment would be end of the unit tests that teachers usually give. These tests summarize a unit that was learned.
Marzano believes standards are an issue and I disagree with him. I understand that there are a lot of things that need to be done in order to teach to all standards and it’s nearly impossible. Physical education teachers should be given more time to teach but I am not going down that road in this posting. The thing is that most teachers don’t teach towards the standards and there needs to be a better effort in reversing that dilemma.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Forming Groups and Teams
Table 1: Forms to Use in Working with Teams (9th grade)
Forms When Used Objective
-Team/Group Assignment- First Day of Class:
o Students teamed together through various means (birthdays, clothing, eye color, etc.)
-Team Rules/Behavior Contract- First Day of Class:
o Establish team/group behavior contracts and teamwork measures
o Students must abide by the rules and contract throughout school year
-Team Assignments- Middle of First week:
o Use cooperative games to see how each student interacts in groups
-Teacher Assessment- Middle of First week:
o Evaluate each student within the groups so that future group designations include various types of personalities
-Group/Team Member Evaluation (peer ratings) - End of Assignments:
o Have each group member evaluate each others performance at the end of every assignment throughout the year
o Allow for a comment section on what worked and what can improve
This table would be used for a 9th grade class and can be used as a resource when forming teams and groups. Creating a positive learning environment during the first day of class that would last the entire school year is essential. Rules, routines, and expectations need to be clearly defined during the first day of class. A behavior contract would work wonders during this time because students have input in regards to the learning environment. Forming teams should begin by mid week and would be used throughout the school year.
The best way to assess your students in a team/group atmosphere would be through cooperative games. You will know right away which students are “leaders” and what ones are “quiet.” The goal is to make sure every student feels comfortable during team/group activities. It is great once all students take an active leadership role and that's possible through cooperative games. The teacher just needs to be patient. Converting groups into effective teams will happen. It’s important that each student has the opportunity to work with everyone in the class. This is why it’s essential to constantly change teams for each and every activity. Eventually, you will realize the “make-up” of your class and creating effective teams will be easy. The use of peer ratings is also important because the teacher will get feedback from their students. This will allow teachers to assess each student’s participation while in teams/groups. Every teacher must make sure the students know the purpose of teamwork. Life is full of teamwork and people wouldn’t survive if we didn’t work together. The physical education setting is a perfect place to facilitate these ideas and get students ready for life and the workforce (where teamwork is constant).
Forms When Used Objective
-Team/Group Assignment- First Day of Class:
o Students teamed together through various means (birthdays, clothing, eye color, etc.)
-Team Rules/Behavior Contract- First Day of Class:
o Establish team/group behavior contracts and teamwork measures
o Students must abide by the rules and contract throughout school year
-Team Assignments- Middle of First week:
o Use cooperative games to see how each student interacts in groups
-Teacher Assessment- Middle of First week:
o Evaluate each student within the groups so that future group designations include various types of personalities
-Group/Team Member Evaluation (peer ratings) - End of Assignments:
o Have each group member evaluate each others performance at the end of every assignment throughout the year
o Allow for a comment section on what worked and what can improve
This table would be used for a 9th grade class and can be used as a resource when forming teams and groups. Creating a positive learning environment during the first day of class that would last the entire school year is essential. Rules, routines, and expectations need to be clearly defined during the first day of class. A behavior contract would work wonders during this time because students have input in regards to the learning environment. Forming teams should begin by mid week and would be used throughout the school year.
The best way to assess your students in a team/group atmosphere would be through cooperative games. You will know right away which students are “leaders” and what ones are “quiet.” The goal is to make sure every student feels comfortable during team/group activities. It is great once all students take an active leadership role and that's possible through cooperative games. The teacher just needs to be patient. Converting groups into effective teams will happen. It’s important that each student has the opportunity to work with everyone in the class. This is why it’s essential to constantly change teams for each and every activity. Eventually, you will realize the “make-up” of your class and creating effective teams will be easy. The use of peer ratings is also important because the teacher will get feedback from their students. This will allow teachers to assess each student’s participation while in teams/groups. Every teacher must make sure the students know the purpose of teamwork. Life is full of teamwork and people wouldn’t survive if we didn’t work together. The physical education setting is a perfect place to facilitate these ideas and get students ready for life and the workforce (where teamwork is constant).
Monday, June 8, 2009
Mock Letters
Parent:
Dear School,
After reading the article in yesterday’s Chicago Tribune on new grading systems I am a bit concerned. I am worried because your school also uses a new form of grading. My child is supposed to be a new first grade student at your school district this upcoming fall, but, I don’t believe in or understand all this new grading stuff. Parents I have spoken to say it’s hard to understand and hasn’t benefited their children. Why get rid of letter grading (A, B, C, D, F) when it has always worked? Shouldn’t grades be given to students in a way that they (students) and parents could understand it? I am a bit worried about all of this and I don’t want to commit my child to a school without first understanding its grading policies. Can you please get back to me with an explanation? It would be greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Anonymous
Principal:
Dear Anonymous,
I am glad to hear you are concerned and I am here to help. We switched from letter grading to a new grading system to fulfill state standard requirements. The new grading provides our students and parents with feedback on what the students do/don’t understand in the classroom. Letter grading was causing too many students to be in “competition” with each other rather than worrying about their own academic skills. Our school provides each grade with an explanation that coincides with a specific classroom skill. This form of grading does a better job assessing a child's needs than does a letter grade. I hope this helped but please feel free to contact me at (---) ---/---- if you have any more questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Principal
Dear School,
After reading the article in yesterday’s Chicago Tribune on new grading systems I am a bit concerned. I am worried because your school also uses a new form of grading. My child is supposed to be a new first grade student at your school district this upcoming fall, but, I don’t believe in or understand all this new grading stuff. Parents I have spoken to say it’s hard to understand and hasn’t benefited their children. Why get rid of letter grading (A, B, C, D, F) when it has always worked? Shouldn’t grades be given to students in a way that they (students) and parents could understand it? I am a bit worried about all of this and I don’t want to commit my child to a school without first understanding its grading policies. Can you please get back to me with an explanation? It would be greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Anonymous
Principal:
Dear Anonymous,
I am glad to hear you are concerned and I am here to help. We switched from letter grading to a new grading system to fulfill state standard requirements. The new grading provides our students and parents with feedback on what the students do/don’t understand in the classroom. Letter grading was causing too many students to be in “competition” with each other rather than worrying about their own academic skills. Our school provides each grade with an explanation that coincides with a specific classroom skill. This form of grading does a better job assessing a child's needs than does a letter grade. I hope this helped but please feel free to contact me at (---) ---/---- if you have any more questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Principal
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