As all educators look for a way to secure data from their
students, teachers need to think of ways to capture their own data to support
their instruction. It seems like an simple idea, but collecting data will be
challenging for teachers that do not know how to. What data should I
gather? How much do I need? When should I start and end the
collection? Why is it important to gather?
First the idea that collecting data for grades only needs to be
revised just a bit. Education needs to be a more well-rounded, real-life
experience in order for students to thrive in a global economy. Yes we
need students to remember certain facts and show ways of comprehension, but
could grades only be based off of the paper and pencil assessment; absolutely
not!
Second, we can look at Bloom's Taxonomy and how we need students
to analyze, evaluate, or create to gain a deeper understanding for any content
of study. This is where the search for thou portfolio comes into play.
With all new technologies, gathering data and reflecting on ways to do
this task is easier than ever. The need to gather writing samples,
projects, math journals, pictures, problem solving steps, and more in a
portfolio can show more than a quick snapshot of a written test. If
schools could develop a way to have the portfolios travel with students could
even get a bigger picture of how a student learns, thinks, and creates.
Now how would that be for real-life experience! Using
project-based for learning which in turns changes the way students graduate,
pick a college, and career. Education could be more then “Open your mind
so I can pour the info in it.” Education
could be “Lets work through ideas for
find the best solution.”
Lastly the use of portfolios is not a new idea; however, I think
the idea of real-life experiences is becoming a buzz word in education which
makes the use of a portfolio ideal. Students,
teachers, administrators and even parents should keep all student
information in one place so when they graduate they have a link that demonstrate
their growth as a student since kindergarten! I can see
the commercial now by Google:) I better trademark my idea
before it gets out!
