Mary Elizabeth Johnson January 11, 2009

Lover of children…teacher, educator…lover,user and advancer of technology; embracer of new ways to make a difference… It is my belief that educators must put forth their best efforts to insure that students receive a quality education in a safe respectful environment. As an educator in the public school system for over twenty- eight years,, my professional and personal growth has been influenced by numerous forces. These forces include national, state and local requirements as well as the growing needs of the children I am given the opportunity to educate each year. My desire is to insure that my students are being educated for the 21 st Century; therefore technology is utilized in all my classes to bring students to that expected end. Currently, I am employed by McDuffie County Schools at Thomson Middle School, in Thomson Georgia. My immediate goal is to receive advanced training in education children using technology. I plan to continue working with middle school students in order to assist them in building the necessary foundation for successful learning throughout their academic career and their adult career.

The objectives in this course assisted me in reassessing and confirming much of what I already knew but found myself allowing time constraints to bind my efforts. I have been motivated to use a wider variety of assessment methods. This change has caused more excitement, enthusiasm and motivation among the students. What I learned in this class has required me to improve my technology skills. Additionally, students have experienced improved multi-media skills and enhanced learner outcomes through participation in more project based learning.

Part of my plan for continued improvement in the area of assessment includes developing a three year technology plan for my classroom. I also plan to write a grant that will include technology to support my continued growth in the area of assessment. The grant will include technology that will be used in my classroom: a set of clickers, voice recorders, a flip camera. a set ofNeo 2 Renaissance Learning Student Laptops and the Photo Story.

After studying different types of assessments as presented by Rick Stiggins, I am empowered to vary assessment methods. I feel more freedom to teach the way my students learn. Technology will take on a larger role in instructing and effectively assessing student learning of academics. This newly acquired knowledge adds clarity to assessments and I left with a better understanding of what my students do understand and what they need to understand more clearly. I feel more confident in using a variety of assessments that will give more students an opportunity to show what they know. I have a wealth of technology resources that I am bold enough to use. Students are enjoying the course more. I will increase the amount of technology used to enhance learning. I will insure that students are trained in using that technology. Students will be expect to create and express more. I am seeking a higher degree of student response and more time on task. I expect my classroom to look like a learning environment where students enjoy learning and are excited about achieving their best.

 Project-based teaching and performance based assessment have both taken a permanent position in my classroom. Although I have required students to make projects in the past. They now serve as an integral part of our learning plan. Students look forward to learning using this strategy and even come up with suggestions of their own about how they will master the standard. This strategy allows students at all ability levels to learn. This course has provided assistance in creating a differentiated learning environment that fairly assesses student achievement.

CompletedRequired Portfolio Elements SelfPeer Introduction Lab 1: Role of Assessment in Student Achievement: Written reflection* Lab 2: Inspiration Pre-Assessment: “What I Know About Assessment”*: “What I Know About Assessment”* Lab 4: Project Checklist From Project Checklist Builder On 4Teachers.org* Checklist Lab 5: Rubric From Rubric Builder On 4Teachers.org* Rubric Lab 6: “What’s in a ‘B’?”* Textbook Readings Summaries (Chapters 1, 2, and 3 from the text) Readings Summary Rubric Completed by a Colleague (completed by: > ) Concept Map or PowerPoint Slides and Supplementary Materials from Chapter Lesson Brochure for Assessment Tech Tool Inspiration Post-Assessment (Shift P will give another 30 days on the trial)Post-Assessment Self Assessment of the Electronic Portfolio Using the Portfolio Rubric Additional Artifacts