Assessment

 ===[|Assessment to Enhance Teaching and Learning] ===
 * •Getting Started
 * Introduction
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 * • Resources 1
 * • Assignments 1
 * • Quiz 1
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 * @Section 3
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 * @Section 4
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 * Section 5
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 * Section 6
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 * Section 7
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 * Section 8
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 * Section 9
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 * Section 10
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 * Section 11
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 * Section 12
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 * Section 13
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 * Section 14
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 * • Quiz 14
 * Final Reflection
 * Course Completion

This section contains a description of this course and information about deadlines, assessments, and student support. Please use the scroll bar on the right side; this will enable you to see all of the information. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the section. Effective assessment incorporates standardized testing not only to measure what students learn but also how students learn. This course uses an Understanding by Design (UbD)® framework—also known as "backward design"—through which educators learn to design assessments that encourage students to monitor their own progress. Educators also learn how to use diagnostic, formative, and summative tools to help improve student learning. Then, they apply these techniques to a unit from a current lesson plan or to a new unit that they design, thus gaining a tool to use immediately in the classroom. Please refer to your Academic Policies document for complete information about your deadlines.

Format
In this online, self-paced course, you will read texts and journal articles as well as view streaming media containing classroom scenes and presentations from educational experts. You will also participate in professional discussions and interactions with other educators and complete various activities and applications. The interaction with fellow educators allows you to brainstorm, discuss, and explore ideas presented in the course. The activities and applications help facilitate learning and transfer the course concepts into real-world application. Your online course is organized into different sections. Each numbered section may contain an introduction, learning objectives, readings, media, and assignments that will help you make connections between the content and your teaching practice. In addition to the course materials provided online, you will receive a shipment that contains course text(s), where applicable, and DVDs of the same media segments streamed in your online course. The course text(s) contain some of the required readings that are assigned in the course. Other readings are provided as links and can be printed or downloaded from the Resource pages. The DVDs allow you more than one option for viewing the videos and are provided for your convenience.

Topics

 * Section 1 || Understanding by Design ||
 * Section 2 || Assessment Principles and Practices ||
 * Section 3 || Diagnostic Assessments ||
 * Section 4 || Assessment for Self-Directed Learning ||
 * Section 5 || Formative Assessments ||
 * Section 6 || Summative Assessments ||
 * Section 7 || Designing Performance Tasks ||
 * Section 8 || Rubrics ||
 * Section 9 || Pencil-and-Paper Assessments/Teacher-Created Tests ||
 * Section 10 || Types of Assessment Data ||
 * Section 11 || Using Data to Inform Instruction ||
 * Section 12 || Communicating Results ||
 * Section 13 || Dispelling Misconceptions and Overcoming Obstacles ||
 * Section 14 || Planning Instruction ||
 * || Final Reflection ||

Objectives
Teachers will:
 * Self-assess regarding sources of assessment evidence and the design process typically used in planning lessons
 * Analyze a unit plan to make it clear what students should know and be able to do
 * Explain how positive assessment impacts learning
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Describe how a balanced assessment plan promotes student learning and compare this contemporary view with historical perspectives on assessment
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Design the learning goals of an interdisciplinary unit and preliminary assessments
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Analyze the learning goals of a unit and align them with appropriate assessment methods
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Design two pre-assessments (diagnostic assessments) for a particular unit
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluate the role of assessment in self-directed learning
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Analyze the skills and dispositions required in the 21st-century workplace to determine how to prepare students for success
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Develop two or more formative assessments for an interdisciplinary unit
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Analyze the relationship between standardized tests and teaching for understanding
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Analyze the role of summative assessment in the learning process
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Analyze another teacher’s authentic assessment to better understand how authentic assessments promote student learning
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Design an authentic performance task that allows students to demonstrate enduring understandings and utilize 21st-century skills
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Design a rubric for a performance task
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Analyze the characteristics of a high-quality rubric
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Analyze characteristics and conditions that may result in test bias
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Design paper-and-pencil assessments based on important content knowledge in a unit
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Analyze classroom assessment data, generate pertinent questions, and make instructional recommendations based on the data
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Analyze how educators examine data to make instructional decisions
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Examine grading and reporting practices and suggest ways they might be improved
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluate and revise their current approach to grading and provide a rationale for their revised grading system that students, parents, and colleagues can all understand
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Compare common misconceptions and obstacles to effective assessment to understand the benefits and challenges of traditional and standards-based assessments
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Propose ways to make assessment a more powerful tool for learning on a schoolwide level
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Plan learning experiences for the interdisciplinary unit used in the Course Project

<span style="color: #336699; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Materials
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have not already received a shipment of materials to use during this course, you will receive a package shortly. You will be able to keep these materials and add them to your personal library of professional resources. (If you have any questions about your course materials shipment, please call 800-669-9011.) <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Your course materials include:
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Course Text:** Reeves, D. (Ed.). (2007). //Ahead of the curve: The power of assessment to transform teaching and learning//. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Course DVD:** Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011).//Assessment to enhance teaching and learning//. Baltimore, MD: Author.

<span style="color: #336699; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Educators Without Regular Access to Classroom
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In this course, participants are expected to complete assignments that require the application of their learning to their own classroom teaching situation. If you have no regular access to a classroom (for example, if you are a specialist, an administrator, or a teacher who is not currently teaching), adapt the assignment to your particular circumstances. If you are unable to adapt the assignment in this way, you may exercise the following options:
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Reflect on how the course content applies to a student or class that you have taught in the past.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hypothesize as to how the course content may apply to a student or class that you may teach in the future.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When submitting your completed coursework, attach a note to the evaluator describing your position or situation.

<span style="color: #336699; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">System Requirements
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Note**: If you are using a Macintosh® please be sure and download the latest version of Firefox® from Mozilla®. It’s free and the download should only take a few minutes: @http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/new/ <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px;">Trademark Information
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Operating System for PC: Windows XP® or Windows Vista®
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Operating System for Mac®: OS X® or higher
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Processor: 1 GHz, 32/64 bit or higher
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Memory: Minimum 512 MB of RAM; 1 GB recommended
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer® 6.0 or higher, Firefox® 2.0 or higher
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Internet Connection: broadband (DSL, cable modem, or similar) required
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Software: Microsoft Word®, Flash® Player 7 or higher (free), Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® version 8 or higher (free)
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Monitor resolution: 1280 x 800 or higher
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px;">Microsoft, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Internet Explorer, and Word are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px;">Mac OS and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px;">Mozilla and Firefox are registered trademarks of the Mozilla Foundation.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px;">Adobe, Flash, and Acrobat Reader are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.

<span style="color: #336699; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Methods of Assessment
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The course contains the following types of learning assessments:
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Essential Questions** "frame the learning, engage the learner, link to more specific or more general questions, and guide the exploration and uncovering of important ideas" (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005). In this course, each section's assignment begins with one or more Essential Questions to help focus your learning. You are encouraged to return to the questions at the end of the section and write a brief response in your Learning Journal. Your responses do not need to be submitted.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Activities** are short assessments that help you explore concepts and make connections between the content and your teaching practice. Some activities are ungraded but serve to prepare you for other graded assignments. Any ungraded activities are clearly marked as such. //Each submitted Activity should be approximately 2 to 3 paragraphs in length, but refer to the rubric for specific expectations.//
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Discussions** allow you to share ideas about the course content with other teachers. **Discussion Summaries** ask you to analyze and summarize the discussion and then describe how your understanding of the topic has been enhanced or expanded. //Each submitted Discussion Summary should be approximately 2 to 3 paragraphs in length, but refer to the rubric for specific expectations.//
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Professional Interactions** offer you an opportunity to apply course concepts in a collaborative way. You will be asked to summarize your experience and analyze how your understanding of the concepts has been expanded or enhanced. //Specific instructions about Professional Interaction summaries are provided in the course and in the rubric.//
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Applications** assist you in applying the theories, concepts, and strategies to your teaching practice. //Each submitted Application should be// //approximately 1 to 2 pages in length, but refer to the rubric for specific expectations.//
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The **Course Project** is a compilation of assignments you will complete as you progress through the course. The assignments related to the Course Project are indicated in each section. At the conclusion of the course you will submit the entire Course Project according to the instructions in the Course Project Overview. //Refer to the rubric for specific expectations.//
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Quizzes** provide you with instant feedback on your understanding of the course material. There are quiz questions following each section of the course.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The **Final** **Reflection** requires you to synthesize the content and reflect on your key learnings throughout the course. //Refer to the rubric for specific expectations.//
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The **Learning Journal** may be used to record your thoughts and ideas about course content, responses to Essential Questions, and critical reflections on your learning. The Learning Journal is for your personal use and will not be submitted.

<span style="color: #336699; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Course Project
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For your Course Project you will create an interdisciplinary unit that includes a variety of assessments and learning experiences. Begin by selecting a unit that you have taught in the past or create a new unit. Throughout this course you will be working with the unit revising and creating new assessments to incorporate into the unit. At the end of the course, you will submit your completed unit plan.

<span style="color: #336699; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Assignment Rubrics
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Each submitted assignment will be graded using a rubric. Refer to the rubrics for specific descriptions of the assignment expectations. Download all of the rubrics from the course by clicking here. Each rubric is also available immediately following the assignment in the course.

<span style="color: #336699; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Checklist
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The course checklist provides an overview of the course topics, assignments, and point values. You can use this as a checklist to help you organize your progress in the course. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Click here to download the course checklist. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For general Canter customer service including technical assistance with your online course, please contact the Student Support Team: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Phone: 1-800-669-9011, Option 2 (available Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m.//–//7:00 p.m. Pacific Time) <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">E-mail: support@canter.net <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For questions regarding specific academic policies, please refer to the information provided on the My Institution page. To access the page, click the **My Institution**tab above.