Assessment in the 21st Century Classroom

Course materials are all online and provided by eNetLearning and can be downloaded to participants' computers.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Assessment in 21st Century Classrooms is an interactive e-learning experience that offers an in-depth look at assessment that meets the needs of 21st century teaching and learning. In this course, teachers see how assessment strategies can benefit their teaching practices and their students' learning. They learn how to plan, develop, and manage student-centered assessment. They follow three teachers who are implementing embedded and ongoing assessment methods in their classrooms. The course offers opportunities to apply the assessment concepts with action planning exercises.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

• Explain and identify the purposes of assessment in 21st century classrooms.
• Develop an assessment plan and timeline that supports a unit of study.
• Describe how assessment is integrated in instructional activities.
• Create a variety of assessments and rubrics for a real-world project or unit.
• Create activities and resources to support self-assessment.
• Create a process to use assessments for grading.
• Plan and develop activities using assessment data.
• Demonstrate and incorporate International Society for Technology Education for Teacher and/or Administrator skills.

TEXTS, READINGS, INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES:

Course materials will be provided via eNeLearning and within the course modules.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

In order to receive credit for the course, participants must attend and actively participate in all class sessions unless alternative arrangements are approved in advance.

Assignments need to be completed by the due date assigned by the instructor.

1. In class activities:
   1. Attend opening class session and participate in class discussions, projects, and activities.
2. Online activities: Each student will complete the following:
   1. Assigned readings and research on resources
   2. Complete all Modules and Lessons
   3. Participate in all discussion forums within each module
   4. Complete Assessment Action Plan
   5. Participate in final sharing session

GRADE DISTRIBUTION AND SCALE:
Grade Distribution:
Attendance at face-to-face session 10%
Participation in online discussions 30%
Action Plan Completion 50%
Showcase Session 10%

Grade Scale:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
59% and below F

We use the Letter Grade. (A-F)

CLASS SCHEDULE:

This "blended-learning" course will include at least 6 hours of face-to-face and/or on-line web conferencing components and an on-line facilitated course that will include 30 hours of interactive tutorials, exercises, individual work, and facilitated discussions. The 30 hours of on-line facilitated course work will take place over a 6-8 week period
.

Week One: Orientation
Overview of course requirements and resources

1. Face-to-Face and/or Synchronous Web Conferencing
2. Introduction to on-line course delivery application
3. Getting to Know You Discussion Forum
4. Begin Module 1: 21st Century Learning

Week Two: 21st Century Learning
Module 1 introduces the elements of a 21st century classroom and the skills students need to excel in a changing world. The module explores the role that 21st century skills play in learning, and shows assessment approaches that enhance achievement in a 21st century classroom.
Outcomes:
• Understand the characteristics of 21st century classrooms
• Review 21st century skills and how they are assessed
• Learn how formative and summative assessment are used in 21st century classrooms

Lesson 1: 21st Century Classrooms
Lesson 2: 21st Century Skills in the Classroom
Lesson 3: 21st Century Assessment Practices
Lesson 4: Module Review

Week Three: Module 2: Assessment Strategies
Module 2 introduces the components of effective assessment strategies for 21st century classrooms. Teachers learn about purposes, methods, and instruments for assessment. The module demonstrates how assessment purposes define assessment practice and how different methods and instruments meet those purposes. Teachers also review the characteristics of effective rubrics and explore rubrics, using the Assessing Projects application.
Outcomes:
• Understand the purposes of assessment in 21st century classrooms
• Review assessment methods
• Learn characteristics of effective rubrics
• Become familiar with the Assessing Projects library

Lesson 1: Assessment Purposes
Lesson 2: Assessment Methods
Lesson 3: Focus on Rubrics
Lesson 4: The Assessing Projects Library
Lesson 5: Module Review

Week Four: Module 3: Assessment Methods
Module 3 provides a more in-depth look at how different assessment methods can be integrated throughout the learning cycle to enhance teaching and learning. Teachers look at how assessment methods can be used for various purposes as part of regular classroom activities. Self- and peer assessment, student-teacher conferences, and portfolios are examples of effective assessment methods.
Outcomes:
• Understand how assessment is integrated in instructional activities
• Review information and research about self- and peer assessment
• Understand how student-teacher conferences enhance assessment
• Explore ways to assess learning over time through portfolios
• Review assessment instruments for different purposes

Lesson 1: Assessment and Instruction
Lesson 2: Self- and Peer Assessment
Lesson 3: Classroom Conferences
Lesson 4: Portfolios
Lesson 5: Assessment Instruments
Lesson 6: Module Review

Week Five: Module 4: Assessment Development
Module 4 demonstrates how to plan and develop assessments. Teachers are taken through the steps of developing an assessment plan, which includes an Assessment Timeline. They also create assessments to meet standards, 21st century skills, and objectives for a unit or project.
Outcomes:
• Learn how to plan assessment around standards and 21st century skills
• Develop an assessment plan
• Create assessments for a project or unit

Lesson 1: Important Learning Goals
Lesson 2: Assessment Plan
Lesson 3: Assessment Instruments
Lesson 4: Module Review

Week Six: Module 5: Assessment in Action
Module 5 provides the opportunity for teachers to create resources to support self- and peer assessment; schedule and integrate assessment into existing classroom activities; and develop materials to help manage, track, and grade assessment. Establishing routines and developing supporting resources can help teachers manage assessment activities and data.

Outcomes:
• Learn strategies for students' new roles in assessment
• Create activities and resources to support self-assessment
• Learn how to manage ongoing assessment
• Plan how to use assessment data
• Create a process to use assessments for grading

Lesson 1: Student Roles in Assessment
Lesson 2: Self-Assessment
Lesson 3: Assessment Management
Lesson 4: Use of Assessment Data
Lesson 5: Grading in a 21st Century Classroom
Lesson 6: Module Review

Course Wrap-Up

• Final submission of completed Action Plan
• Final evaluation and wrap-up activities