I'm going to start with #3 first. When I worked for NHA we did NWEA testing in the Fall, Winter, and in the Spring. We were then able to print out the results of the testing which was greatly helpful in a number of areas. Results were available in both text form and in line graph form. I always printed off both, making them available to my parents at teacher conferences. With the line graph I am able to show them where their student falls according to expectations for where they fall at their grade level. I am then able to show them how their child's performance compares to other students in that grade level in the area as well as anywhere the NWEA testing is being done. This visual aid is very effective with parents and students alike, because it 'cuts to the chase' and let's them see immediately, one aspect of how they are progressing.
The students are tested in Reading , Math, and Language Arts. Each section is then broken down into sections and an individual readout informs you where a students particular strengths and weaknesses lay in a given subject. I could easily go over this information with the student or parent and we could target the areas each student needed to spend time working on. I would laminate a copy for each student to carry with them to the computer lab so they could work on strengthening that area.
Although it's a pain to have so much testing, on top of the MEAP testing, it really is helpful to see how a student is progressing and what areas you can work with them in individually. The one drawback is that NWEA testing or MEAP testing will not necessarily get the best work a student can do. If they are having an off day the testing will not accurately reflect where they are. Overall however, data warehousing, student information systems, management systems, etc... are invaluable tools to aid an educator who wants to effectively help her students to progress and succeed.
I created a rubric for a presentation. In a desire to give students as much creative freedom as possible the presentation topic is Saving the Environment. This allows students to choose their particular topic and to create a presentation in a form that they desire. Whether a diorama, PowerPoint, poster, booklet, paper, sculpture, rap, or perhaps more creatively, a project designed using Prezi or perhaps using Photostory 3. Whatever each student will choose will still need to be presented to the class, where presence, posture, clarity, knowledge of their choice of topic, etc... They will hopefully be much more invested in the project when so many choices are open to them to express the topic in their own unique way.
Having worked with students (mostly 5th graders) who lean up against the whiteboard, bend over a stool, wiggle while talking, make little eye contact, and speak in a near whisper when at any other time their loud voices carry with no effort, presentation is important. As well as knowing how to present a student needs to know how to be a good listener when it is their classmates turn to present. Being able to ask a question that will bring out more information from the presenter (instead of,"Did you like making this project?) is a component of a presentation as well. Peer rubrics can also be very effective and teach students to look at the effort and quality of each others work, as opposed to giving high marks to their best friends.
The link at the top of the page is to the survey I've written. When I get the results I will post those. I decided to use a survey format and ask students in my blended geometry class, how they liked the blended learning experience. The results will be posted when they are in.
Lastly, FERPA and HIPAA are important because they provide privacy protection when it comes to student records. This would include records, files, documents, and other materials that are directly related to a student. While there are situations were legitimate sharing of information will come into play, FERPA and HIPAA protect students and their families from the abuses. Loss of school funding may result and that is not something schools are willing to risk.
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