wk 13

I love the idea of grading rubrics anything that makes the teacher and the student have the same understanding of what is expected is a great tool. The scoring guide that a rubric can offer to evaluate the students’ performance is a clear cut way to guide the student through an assignment. Studies have shown that a good rubric can improve the students’ end product which can only enhance the learning process. The only issues with rubrics would be making sure you, as the teacher are very clear about what is expected on any given assignment. One study found that students found the language of some rubrics to be to detailed or “jargon” and thus did not clearly understand what was needed. There are many generic rubrics on the web and the key would seem to be adapting them to your class. A teacher can never get lazy and depend on cookie cutter rubrics, you must design each one to fit the students and the assignment. I feel that most kids would welcome a clear cut explanation of what is expected and that should be the goal.


The concept of ‘clickers’ is very intriguing to me. I have heard of this technology but have never used it or seen it used (unless you count Dr. Phil). There are so many students who for whatever reason do not speak up when answering questions, this seems like a great way to allow all students to participate anonymously. One study has shown that clickers give students the opportunity to stay actively engaged during the entire class. Gives the teacher a way to gauge the classes level of understanding of what is being taught. Provides prompt feedback to any questions the class may have. One review of this technology listed eighteen things to help the teacher make this a positive and successful tool in the classroom. You might check it out, I found it very helpful. http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/ClickersintheClassroomAnActive/157458

I love kidspiration. I downloaded the trial and had a blast playing with it. The program is easy to set up and fun to play with. I am a big believer that anytime you can teach a child without preaching to a child you will accomplish a wonderful learning experience. And often those are the lessons that really stay with the child. I researched the reviews on this program and it is very popular not only with teachers and students but with parents. Many parents wanted it for home and it is a big part of the homeschool community.

I am very impressed with all three of these programs/technology and will use them in my classroom. The rubrics will help both me as the teacher and my students to have a clear insightful understanding of what is expected on any one assignment. The clicker assessment tool seems to be a great way of engaging those students who may hang back and not participate in a lecture, question / answer style classroom. This alone would make it a must have. The Kidspiration software is great and again can help students participate by making it fun. Anytime something is play or fun they will want to use it again and again.



David Jonassen, J. H. (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology. Upper Saddle River: Merrill Prentice Hall.

Unknown. (2009). Clickers in the Classroom. Educause Quarterly.

Unknown. (2009). rKidspiration. Retrieved April 22, 2011, from Learning Village: http://www.learningvillage.com/html/rKidspiration.html

Unknown. (2009). Teachering methods and management. Retrieved April 22, 2011, from Teacher vision: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/teaching-methods-and-management/rubrics/4522.html

Unknown. (2010). Rubrics for Teachers. Retrieved April 22, 2011, from Rubrics for Teachers: http://www.rubrics4teachers

Unknown. (2011). Education World. Retrieved April 22, 2011, from Education World: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech123.shtml