This week I stumbled onto a gem of a classroom where the teacher has the students review their homework each day when class starts. Now, at first glance that doesn't sound so innovative. Here's the catch--the students are reviewing with each other and providing the feedback.
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I think this classroom truly embodies the ideas behind the 21st century classroom that Mark Morrison discussed during our lecture. He talked about collaboration and cooperative learning. I think this classroom shows both. The classroom shows collaboration in that students are focused on arriving at the same answer. The classroom shows cooperative learning when students discuss the different ways they arrived at the answer. This also is a perfect example of the mathematical practice of "construct a viable argument and critique the reasoning of others." (The teacher even goes so far as to give examples and non examples of feedback.) Here the students are also able to share when the task was difficult for them and ask for help in a supportive environment.
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This peer review is helpful for the teacher as well. She is able to see where students are struggling, listen for academic vocabulary, and review problem solving strategies. This system truly builds a classroom of critical thinkers who can problem solve and effectively communicate their ideas and learn from immediate feedback. As an assessment system, these anecdotal observations are priceless for the teacher. So much is gained just by listening to students talk to each other about the assignment. This is a system I would definitely use in my classroom. Students were engaged, interested, and invested in the process of a relatively "dry" activity. The teacher turned it into a true learning experience for the students, exactly what homework should be!
Film experience: 5
You can visit the Mindomo I made for this video here:
https://www.mindomo.com/mindmap/homework-review-as-assessment-ef88ce95d48e444ea1cb1f9c508164f4
Film experience: 5
You can visit the Mindomo I made for this video here:
https://www.mindomo.com/mindmap/homework-review-as-assessment-ef88ce95d48e444ea1cb1f9c508164f4