So How Do We Plan to Assess the Students??
Project Based Assessment
Phase 1 is project based assessment. These assessments are unique and particular to the activity/project completed. Students will be graded formatively on progress and participation, and summatively on final product and/or improvements. We have provided sample rubrics for certain projects, but all assessment would require clear guidelines, examples,and rubric-based grading that would be adequately presented to the students prior to beginning any assignment.
Individual (Student) Based Assessment
Phase 2 is individual based assessment. It will be very important to see what the students have to say about the usage of tablets in the classroom, especially since this is about their learning experience. That said, using Google Docs or some other form of survey based programming, students will complete quarterly surveys asking them to discuss and rate their experience with the tablets. Students will also be asked to identify areas of strength and weakness with the technology. Mrs. Garst and Ms. Cafarelli will then meet to compile/review data and make necessary adjustments and/or improvements. Data will be stored and combined at the end of the year.
Group Based Assessment
Phase 3 is group based assessment. At each semester break, Mrs. Garst and Ms. Cafarelli will conduct group interviews to gauge levels of comprehension, understanding, retention, and creativity with the tablets. Students will be asked to present troubleshooting areas and suggestions for future use, as well as final products and programs they found especially useful.
Student Development
For those students who need targeted intervention, or just those seeking extra help, Mrs. Garst and Ms. Cafarelli will rotate hosting weekly 30 minute after school sessions for tablet tutoring. Students can drop in or sign up for specific instruction.
Staff Development
Mrs. Garst and Ms. Cafarelli will seek to hold a professional development session highlighting the outcomes of this project for Linganore faculty members and at the county level. Mrs. Garst and Ms. Cafarelli have also applied to present a similar proposal at the state level. Finally, Mrs. Garst and Ms. Cafarelli plan to continue to use their personal blogs to track progress and events with the technology, in addition to inviting faculty to "drop in" sessions in which they can sign up to come observe the tablets in use.