Welcome back everyone to the deep dive.
Today we're gonna be looking at how one school decided
to kind of like totally change their assessment system.
And they really wanted to get a complete picture
of what student learning looks like.
You know, and you'll never guess what they found
when they decided to combine traditional grades
and standardized tests
with something called performance assessments.
All this is powered by some really interesting tech solutions.
Interesting.
So let's dive right in with our expert
who just lives and breathes all things education
and assessment.
Thanks for having me.
Yeah, of course.
It's always cool to see schools sort of pushing
the boundaries of like how we think about
and measure learning.
Absolutely.
And we're focusing on a small public school
in the Northeast US.
And they wanted to go beyond, you know, just checking boxes.
They really wanted to see their students kind of like shine,
you know, especially in areas like creative problem solving
and collaboration, which we all know
are really valuable skills today.
Yeah, I think it's a challenge a lot of educators face.
Right.
Where they feel that standardized tests,
while, you know, useful, don't really tell the whole story
of what a student can do.
Exactly.
And so this school came up with a really interesting solution
that created like a three pronged assessment system.
Interesting.
Okay, so it still includes those traditional course grades.
Because let's be honest,
who doesn't need good time management skills?
Yeah, you really need that like foundational stuff.
Right, no matter what you do after graduation.
Exactly.
And then of course standardized tests
are still part of the picture.
College admissions and measuring progress
against, you know, national standards.
That's not going anywhere.
No, not anytime soon.
But the exciting part is that third element.
The performance assessment.
Yeah, and these capture student learning
in like a more hands-on real world way.
Yeah.
Like think of it this way.
It's one thing to know all the theory from a textbook.
But it's another thing entirely to like actually
build something or design something
or create something.
Like apply those concepts.
Right, yeah.
To show that you understand it.
Exactly, like putting that knowledge into action.
Yeah.
So one example is there was a student
who created like a documentary
about local environmental challenges.
Wow.
And you know, not only did they learn how to film and edit,
but they really had to dive deep
into the science behind it.
Yeah.
They interviewed experts
and they like created this really compelling argument
for change.
That's really impressive.
Yeah.
And it's something that like a traditional test
just could never fully capture.
Right, you're not going to get that depth.
Exactly.
So we've got like the what of their assessment,
but how does it actually work?
Like how do they manage all this data
and actually make it meaningful?
Well, that's where technology comes in.
Okay.
They have a pretty ingenious system
that blends their existing student information system.
Yeah.
Or what they call the SIS.
With some custom tools.
I'm always fascinated by how schools are using technology.
Yeah.
To make things more efficient and get better insights.
Well, yeah, it's amazing what you can do now.
Right.
Like for example, this school created a dashboard.
Okay.
That pulls in data, not just from grades and test scores,
but also things like extracurricular activities.
Okay.
And even the courses that students choose to take.
Wow.
And so they discovered for example,
that students who are in the robotics club.
Okay.
Consistently outperformed their peers in math.
Oh, wow.
Like there was a clear link between that hands-on learning.
Yeah.
And you know, their ability to grasp abstract concepts.
That's amazing.
Yeah.
Now that is what I call data-driven decision-making.
It's like they're unlocking hidden patterns.
Yeah.
And they're able to get a little bit of data
within their students.
Exactly.
Wow.
And then there's the platform they use
for those performance assessments.
Right.
Mahara.
Mahara, yeah.
And students can create these incredible electronic
portfolios.
Yeah.
And they can showcase their work.
Like that documentary we talked about.
Right.
Using videos, images, presentations,
even written reflections.
All in one place.
Wow.
And it's connected to their learning management system.
Okay.
So teachers can give feedback right within the platform.
So, it's like, you know, they're
creating student work.
Right.
It's like creating this dynamic record
of their learning journey.
Exactly.
Wow.
Like imagine you're able to see a student's growth over time.
Mm-hmm.
Not just through their grades.
Right.
But through, you know, tangible evidence
of their skills and accomplishments.
Wow.
It just paints such a richer picture of their development.
I can see how this would be incredibly
motivating for students, too.
Oh, yeah.
It's like having this living, breathing,
Wow.
They're not just working for a grade.
Right.
They're building a portfolio that represents, you know,
their unique talents and abilities.
That's amazing.
Yeah.
I love that.
So, it sounds like this school has really thought through
how to like make assessment a more meaningful experience
for everyone involved.
Yeah.
You mentioned that the system is connected
to their learning management system.
So, how did they leverage that existing infrastructure?
Well, they were smart to build on what they already had,
you know?
Their learning management system wasn't just a place
to post assignments anymore.
Right.
It really became like a central hub
for communication and collaboration and feedback.
So, they're using the tools they already have
in like a more holistic way.
Exactly.
I like that.
Yeah, it's about working smarter, not harder, right?
Right.
And that integration with Mahara is really key.
Okay.
You know, students can submit their portfolios
directly through the learning management system
and teachers can give feedback all in one place.
That seamless integration is a game changer.
Yeah.
No more juggling multiple platforms
or like hunting for lost files.
Exactly.
But what about evaluating those portfolios?
We're talking about skills like creativity
and critical thinking.
Right.
How do you even begin to assess those?
That's where rubrics come in.
Okay.
They're essential for evaluating
those more complex skills.
Yeah.
So, the school created these digital rubrics
that outline the specific criteria for each project
and define different levels of proficiency.
So, it's like a shared understanding
of what success looks like.
Yeah, exactly.
No more guessing games or subjective interpretations.
Exactly.
And then guess what?
They embedded those rubrics directly
into the learning management system.
Wow, that's smart.
So, teachers can easily provide targeted feedback.
Right.
Students can see exactly where they stand.
Yeah, it's all about transparency and clarity.
Right.
It sounds like this system really empowers students
to take ownership of their learning.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
It's a shift from just grading students
to actually guiding their growth.
I see.
You know, they're encouraged to focus on their own progress
and really develop a deeper understanding of their strengths
and areas for improvement.
I'm sensing a theme here.
Yeah.
This school is all about creating a culture
of continuous learning and improvement.
They're spot on.
But let's be real, change is never easy.
Right.
Did they face any pushback
when they rolled out this new system?
I'd imagine there were some growing pains.
Yeah.
Not everyone embraces new technology with open arms.
You're right, there was some initial hesitation
from teachers.
Okay.
You know, new tools always come with a learning curve.
Yeah.
But the school leadership was really proactive.
They provided professional development.
They offered ongoing tech support.
Okay.
And most importantly, they listened to teachers' concerns.
It sounds like they fostered a really collaborative environment
where everyone felt heard and supported.
Yeah.
That's crucial for successful implementation.
Absolutely.
It wasn't about forcing anyone to change.
Right.
It was about working together
to create a better system for everyone.
I like that.
And they didn't stop there.
Okay.
They've continued to evaluate and refine the system
based on feedback from teachers, students, and parents.
So it's not a static system.
Right.
It's constantly evolving and improving.
They've embraced this as a journey, not a destination.
They're committed to innovation and continuous improvement.
And it's clearly paying off.
Yeah.
They've seen a significant increase
in student engagement.
Right.
A deeper understanding of the learning process.
And even improvements in standardized test scores.
It's amazing what can happen
when you rethink assessment.
Right.
And embrace a more holistic approach.
This school is a shining example of what's possible.
Yeah.
But let's bring this back to our listeners for a second.
Okay.
What are the key takeaways here?
How can we apply these principles in our own lives?
Even if we're not in a traditional classroom setting?
That's a great question.
Yeah.
The beauty of this approach is that it's really adaptable.
So think about your own professional development,
for example.
Okay.
Instead of relying solely on a traditional resume,
why not create a digital portfolio?
Okay.
I'm intrigued.
Tell me more about this professional portfolio concept.
Okay.
So imagine showcasing your skills and accomplishments
in a more engaging and dynamic way.
Okay.
You could include examples of projects you've worked on,
testimonials from colleagues,
or even videos demonstrating your expertise.
It's like bringing your resume to life.
Yeah.
It allows you to tell your unique story
and highlight your transferable skills
in a way that a list of job titles just can't capture.
It's like a really brilliant way
to take control of your narrative,
and present yourself in the best possible light.
And it's not just about what you've done.
It's about how you think, how you learn,
and how you can actually contribute.
Exactly.
And it's not just for impressing potential employers
or creating a portfolio can be a really powerful tool
for self-reflection and growth.
Okay.
Even if you're not actively job hunting.
Yeah.
That's a really interesting perspective.
I hadn't thought about it that way.
How?
Well, the process of curating a portfolio,
it really forces you to step back.
Right.
And examine your skills, your accomplishments,
and the areas where you'd like to grow.
Okay.
And you start to notice patterns,
strengths that you may have taken for granted.
Yeah.
And even weaknesses you might not have been aware of.
It's like a guided self-assessment.
Exactly.
Yeah.
And that self-awareness can be so valuable
for setting goals.
Right.
You know, identifying new learning opportunities
and figuring out your next steps.
It's about taking control of your own development.
Right.
And embracing lifelong learning.
Exactly.
This reminds me of all the talk about
like 21st century skills.
Yes.
What are your thoughts on how this type
of portfolio approach kind of fits into that?
Well, it's a perfect fit.
All right.
So you think about those essential 21st century skills.
Right.
Things like critical thinking, problem solving,
communication collaboration, creativity, adaptability.
These are all about applying knowledge
in real world situations.
Not just memorizing facts.
Exactly.
And those are the skills that traditional assessments
often struggle to measure.
Yeah, they do.
But a portfolio allows you to actually showcase
those skills in action.
I see.
And to concrete examples of how you've
tackled complex problems, collaborated with others,
or come up with innovative solutions.
It's like showing, not just telling.
Exactly.
Yeah.
And that's what makes it so powerful.
It really is.
You're painting a more complete picture
of who you are as a learner and a contributor.
This whole conversation has really shifted
my perspective on assessment.
Okay.
It's not just about proving what you know.
It's about understanding how you learn.
Yeah.
How you apply your knowledge.
And how you continue to grow and evolve.
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Wow.
It's about recognizing that learning is a lifelong journey.
Yeah.
And assessment should be a tool that supports
and enhances that journey.
Right.
Not just a way to measure it.
This deep dive has been so insightful.
Oh, glad.
What are some final thoughts you'd like to leave
our listeners with today?
Well, whether you're an educator looking to create
a more engaging learning experience for your students,
a professional aiming to showcase your skills
in a compelling way,
or just someone who's passionate about lifelong learning.
Remember, that assessment can be a powerful tool
for growth and development
if we approach it with the right mindset.
Beautifully put.
So to our listeners, as we wrap up this episode,
we encourage you to embrace the power
of continuous learning.
Keep exploring new ways to demonstrate
your skills and knowledge.
And never be afraid to dive deep into those areas
that spark your curiosity.
And remember, your journey is uniquely yours.
Mm-hmm.
Embrace it.
Thank you for joining us on the deep dive.
Thanks for having me.
Until next time.