A Fresh Look at Learning Targets

     Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of good to learning targets. They provide structure and focus to the learning that takes place in the classroom. Additionally, learning targets help in the process of grading, especially for teachers implementing a true system of standards based grading. However, I would argue that there might be a better way!

The Process
     This year, 7th grade science has started to implement more challenged based learning into the classroom. With this implementation we discovered that students had a difficult time asking good questions to drive their research. Upon reflection, Bob and I made a decision that we needed to increase our focus on student inquiry. In addition, we took a look at learning targets and came to the conclusion that each learning target was teacher driven. Not a single learning target was derived from student inquiry! Therefore, we decided to pursue a method that would preserve the content the state was requiring of us all the while encouraging student inquiry. We came up with a plan to have student questions drive the formation of our newly found (thanks to Brad Fuzak and Nate Alkire) road map.



When you take a look at the road map, student questions were divided up and organized into appropriate categories. These categories were designed to match the state curriculum. We hypothesized that student questions would match the general curriculum. In fact they did with a little teacher influence on the organization.
     The next phase of this newly found "road map" is the formative structure that it provides. As students complete the "box categories" we enter into a discussion with each student. Using their questions as a guide we determine if they have a good understanding of the content in that category. If a students has completed all the tasks and can demonstrate content knowledge they receive a stamp on that box to verify. No student is allowed to take a summative assessment until they have all their stamps!

The Data
     The data supports the validity of the student inquiry driving the tasks and the formative assessment. After the first trial of summative assessment on rocks we came up with the following:

• 175 students (88%) scored above a B-, which we consider to be proficient. 
• 22 Students (12%) scored between a B- and D-.
• 1 student scored below a D-

Conclusion
     Without actual numbers from previous years, I am very confident that we have never achieved this kind of student performance on the first summative assessment for a concept of this magnitude. A concept as complicated as a dynamic rock cycle has proven to be difficult in years past for many students. Many times we have found ourselves finding ways to re-teach material and providing justification for using retakes. Witnessing 88% of our students demonstrating proficiency this early in the process is good, but having only 1 student receive an E the first time through is bigger. In my opinion, reflecting on our use of learning targets is a discussion worth having.

Mineral Inquiry

We are changing things up in our rocks and minerals unit this year. In years past the labs and activities were based upon our interpretation of the standards. This year, we are going to format the unit based upon student questions. Our hypothesis is that the student questions will match the content expectations of the state. From these questions, we will create a "road map" of activities and tutorials for students to use to answer their questions!

Facebook Page!

We decided to find another avenue to share the good things happening in our science classroom. Facebook! Here is a "like button" to click. I will be very interested to observe the data we are able to collect and watch it grow!

Piping Plover Mini Challenge

Here is a student sample of work they produced for our Piping Plover Mini Challenge. The challenge can be found by clicking here. Overall it was a good project and we are extremely thrilled with the students being able to create accounts on vimeo for them to publish to the world! Students then are in the process of embedding their videos on their newly created blog! I will post an example of a student blog soon.

Our Topics

Here is a video I put together showing some of the topics the student groups have picked to work on. We are in the research phase right now and are finding that this is a pretty big thing to take on. Students are excited though!!!!! I had some fun creating a background beat using garageband!

Wilder Issues In Science Shares Our Nature

The students in my Wilder Issues in Science Primetime Class wanted to share the nature that we have surrounding our middle and high schools. Here is a small sample of what they created. This video is a collection of three projects. All pictures were taken by personal cameras or supplied ipod touches. Students emailed me those photos and videos and I placed all pictures/videos into a file that every device could access. We did address copyright laws and using only a percentage of a song...still can improve on that one! Another thing that would be really nice is if Students could upload their individual creations to you tube as a place to host a high definition film.

AKAT

All kids all the time! Here are some pictures of the group working together. Transforming our old mini MGM into this has been a fantastic change. It will be interesting to see how this process evolves and how much the entire staff buys in.