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Module 9 Discussion Forum
Why and how do we measure our impacts of service learning?
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2 Replies
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How we use data to measure in other areas: We use MAP testing in reading, language use, numeracy, and science to measure student growth over time against the bell curve, and to analyze our own areas for improvement as a school. A responsive teacher is effective when he/she uses the data to support students in their improvement against a skill or standard. Otherwise, we primarily use data for grades and graduation.
Latin root word “grad” meaning “step”… Traditional, numerical, grades still motivate Chinese students and parents, but if a student has enough poor grades it’s a quick way to anxiety, stress, and beatings for many. Collecting this data for graduation through a standards-based, service learning portfolio device would be far more beneficial. Being able to present yourself to universities or employers with a portfolio to market yourself that demonstrates your dispositions, skills, and passions would be a more engaging and rewarding educational model, support young people’s mental health, and provide more authentic and passionate youth into our society.
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Well said Ian. Our school also collects MAP data, but what I found when teaching in the MYP was that the results were just emailed for the teachers to review, but there wasn’t sufficient coaching about how to interpret and use the data in a responsive way. Thinking about the sustainability piece of all this, I think it’s essential that school administrations and the curriculum teams specifically address how to read and utilize the data in addition to the collection of it.
I like how you have articulated your points about some of the negative impacts that data (grades and standardized test results) can have on learners and thus why we must look at better ways to demonstrate student learning and achievement. The use of a service-learning portfolio might be a way that we as individual educators might push our schools/administration to consider new ways to document and demonstrate learning for the future. Lofty but worthwhile goals for sure!
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