Week 3 Reflection

 Terms and Definitions

Portfolio: evidence collected of children's learning and class work to evaluate progress, effort, and achievement. Portfolios can be stored. Can include developmental progress in areas such as cognitive development, social/emotional, physical, language, and creative expression. 

Documentation: includes photos, transcripted discussions, graphs drawings, etc., to record children's progress.

What did I learn about documentation last week?

This week we learned about documenting students learning. This allows the teacher to track understanding of the children's learning through collected evidence. The evidence can be in different forms for example web, graphs, photographs, transcription of discussions, diagrams, and much more. This can be recorded using documentation panels or portfolios. We even investigated in class the way we could record and collect this data. My group recreated data collection for group projects using the phases or tiers discussed later in this blog. In our evidence we had students sketch tools and materials needed for baking and then we had them graph some of their favorite cookies. In the next phase, we had them create a web all about baking. Including the materials, what could be made, what we could do with our baked goods, and whatever brainstorming ideas students came up with. Then in the final phase, our class held a bake sale with the goods made and invited community members to support our effort in raising money for a new slide. 

Resource on Documentation Panels: https://vimeo.com/91973048

Our group's sample Project documentation: 

What are the differences between "the conventional style of documentation" and "Reggio Emilia and project style of documentation"?

The conventional style of documentation uses the collection of more summative assessments which would be assessments at the end of units. It would also include measures by grades and report cards. A lot of the work is completed independently. 

Reggio Emilia views the environment as playing a teacher role in the classroom. The interest of the children drives the curriculum. There is a focus on collaboration in the classroom. Collects more formative assessments throughout the lesson for understanding.   

Project Based documentation is a way for children to display their learning and take ownership of it. There are three tiers in this learning. First is the selection of the topic, evidence of the learning of this through webs, brainstorming, and discussions. The next tier includes the progress of the project this could be through group discussions, field trips, sketches, graphs, and diagrams. The final tier is consolidating the project this could be done through presenting to peers, another web, and evaluating the project. 

How do you think the knowledge you gained this week will help you better support the learning of future students?

This knowledge is important, especially when working with younger children because documenting developmental milestones is important to track progress not only for you as an educator but also for the family. Those developmental categories are cognitive, language, social/emotional, physical, and creative expression. More categories could be added but this is the most common. The data collected could be used in the screening process to see if children are in need of supportive services and help address the need for early intervention. 

Documentation allows me to track the learning of my future students. From that evidence, I can see which students need help in which areas. See students' thought processes. Give students a variety of methods to display learning other than the most common being a quiz. 

On Wednesday
Make sure you have an understanding of
Webb’s Depth of Knowledge for the next
class discussion!

f future students?
On Wednesday
Make sure you have an understanding of
Depth of Knowledge for the next
class discussion!