One of the websites we were asked to visit this week was full of great rubrics. I feel this website is a very helpful tool for teachers. Rubrics are a great way to allow the students to feel free to do the assignment their way, but still have some guidelines to follow. Worksheets are becoming less popular and less effective with students, but teachers fear letting go of them. Worksheets are easy to grade. If teachers give an assignment that isn't a worksheet, their first worry is "How do I grade this?". Rubrics take that fear away for teachers. Assigning work that is more meaningful for the students is key, and a rubric is the best way to be able to fairly grade each student.
Clicker Assessment Tools
I had no idea what this was at first. After spending some time checking out the site, it seems like a really effective tool. Real-time assessment while teaching, what a cool concept. Convey Solutions provides tools for teachers to better reach their students. This tool is a remote for each student to use during the lesson. They are able to answer questions and provide the teacher feedback during the lesson. I really like how using this could move the teacher's lesson to either a reteach or an extension depending on where they class is at that exact moment. The teacher doesn't have to wait until she/he grades whatever work she/he assigns to find out if the students were understanding the concept. The only problem I see is that most school districts around me can not afford something like this.
Kidspiration Software
Kidspiration seems to be a really unique software that will enrich students classroom environments. Students need more activities and assignments that will allow them to use the computer. Most careers will involve the use of computers. If students are using software on their level at a young age, it only enhances their computer skills. This software is specifically designed for students to use it for education purposes and many of the lessons are amazing enrichment lessons. I could see myself wanting to use Kidspiration just based on the examples of lesson plans for the older grade levels. One way the littler students could use it is to make presentations. It isn't often you see young grade levels making presentations in class, but this software is designed with their age in mind. All the tools are picture based and if you run your mouse over a picture it will read the name for you. I feel this software would allow students to get excited about their work which would in turn enhance their learning.
Dukane Audio Visual and Convey Solutions, . (2010). Convey a click remote. Retrieved from http://www.conveyclassrooms.com/convey-aclick-remote.html
Rubrician, . (2010). Rubric, rubrics, what is a rubric?. Retrieved from http://www.rubrician.com/
Inspiration Software, Inc, . (2010). Kidspiration-the visual way to explore and understand words, numbers and concepts. Retrieved from http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration
