Formative assessment

To begin with, we generally think about formative assessment relating only to the end of the course, but we must bear in mind that on the very beginning of the course we can also measure our students interests (what they really want to learn, what do they already know about that...), that's the first step to assess them, as if they are not engaged with the new knowledge, the effort will be much bigger.

Formative assessment tools can be a part of every teacher's toolbox. They needn't be complicated or time-consuming. There are, however, a few things that are crucial to their effectiveness, for instance creating simple, clear and precise aspects in each rubric and explain it clearly to all the students so they all know how to pass the subject and what are the most important key points in the assessment process.

Having said that, I would definitely defend the importance of assessing the competences in different ways: rubrics, orientation bases lists, portfolio, blog,...the idea is to collect as many evidences as possible based on the learning process at the end.

Nevertheless, there are some aspects that couldn't be left behind, such as the diversity and heterogeneity inside the class, so probably we must have different levels of assessment according to our students needs.

Some interesting links about formative assessment:

http://xtec.gencat.cat/ca/curriculum/xarxacb

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php

https://sites.google.com/site/rubriquesgurb/

Source: https://dpi.wi.gov/strategic-assessment/cycles-assessment/formative

ONLINE QUIZZES

We've learnt about 3 different tools to create online quizzes: 

1.- Google Forms:


Source: https://torisconsulting.com/formrecycler-how-to-merge-google-forms/

It allows you to test your students using different kind of questions: multiple choice, open question, matching, fill gaps...you can also upload videos, songs, listenings in order to make them answer.
Unfortunately, it doesn't provide you much feetback as you finally have the score and that's it.

2.- Socrative:


Source: https://www.cantonma.org/gms/students/index

Fun and engaging as it provides different kind of games/tests. It's more visual and the design is more attractive and variable. It offers you more ways of assessing, seeing their progression, checking the answered questions, converting the information into an Excel sheet,...



3.- Plickers:


Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figura-1-Logotipo-de-la-aplicacion-Plickers_fig2_321289753

I've been impressed by this tool. It's a way of creating online quizzes and make the students answer thanks to a piece of paper with a QR code on it. According to the way you set the paper, your answer is showed. Using the mobile phone, the teacher can scan the different codes in order to get the students answers. Thrilling and exciting when you see all the papers up and your answer on the screen class at the same time.

I'm sure my adult students will be jaw-droping when using any of these online quizzes at class, as they aren't used to learning through these tools.
In conclusion, they are all amazing and suitable somehow, as they allow you to test the knowledge and progression of your students and make the assessment and correction easier and faster. Overall, they are fun and engaging tools for students so they totally break the conventional way of teaching, learning and assessing. However, I also see that if you use any of them in class students will be addicted to these online tools and will not want any other way of doing quizzes or tests from that moment on...

Me in Voki

Have you ever met Santa in person? Here you have it!:)

http://tinyurl.com/yyaf68tk

Working on VR efficently

5 Google Expeditions

GOOGLE EXPEDITIONS (Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality)





1.- 7 New Wonders of the World:
Visit the new seven wonders of the world like you never experienced before. This collection contains unique aerial views of the new seven wonders of the world.

1 - The Taj Mahal
2- The Great Wall of China
3 - The Colosseum of Rome
4 - Chichén-Itzá
5 - Petra
6 - Rio de Janeiro
7 - Machu Picchu

Available Lesson Plans:Sept Nouvelles Merveilles Du Monde - https://goo.gl/PLmQL0
How were the Wonders of the World selected? - https://goo.gl/vmp0HS
Living on the Edge at Machu Picchu - https://goo.gl/MLd9p0
Writing a Travel Brochure - https://goo.gl/2WndfG

https://poly.google.com/view/8v-I0wldO1r

I would choose this expedition to talk about the concept of "Wonders of the World" and get to know them in order to place them in the map, get to know about them and finally appreciate them. 
I would develop it with GES I group (Adults' School) in the Geography subject.
Furthermore, I could also use it with adult students of English subject so that they finally have to prepare a speech about one new wonder of the world and tell about it in class.

2.- Anatomy - Nervous System:

1 - Overview of the Nervous System
2 - The Brain
3 - Nerves in the Body
4 - Neuron Forest
5 - Neurotransmitters
6 - Cell Membrane and Ion Channels
7 - Migraine
8 - Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic Nervous System

I would use this expedition to work on our body way of functioning, specially about the nervous system which it really affects and connects many of our daily actions and can easily be affected by our mood, emotions, feelings...
That could be taken into practise with GES I or GESII groups in the Science subject.

https://poly.google.com/view/dBzk5erdQcg

3.- Tour of Barcelona:

As we normally tend to organise a guided tour in Barcelona by the end of the 3rd term with GES students, it could be a great idea to practise with these VR activities before going there or while we are there. It could be set to talk about the modernism, important buildings and quarters of the city,...

4.- Ancient Eypt:

To find out about the ancient Egypt (History subject): to explore about pyramids, Egypcian art masterpieces, its History...

Math (Volume of Pyramids) - https://goo.gl/wn2rBX

5.- Why do people migrate?

This is a very interesting issue, as we can introduce historically the different reasons to answer this question in order to understand the diverse, global and interconnected world wer are living in.
It could be a good idea as well to make the students be the protagonists of the sessions allowing them to talk about their personal or close experiences related with the topic of migration.
We could link it to the actual situation nowadays (Proactiva Open Arms, illegal migrations, refugees...)

1 - Political Causes of Migration: A Refugee Crisis
2 - Historic Migration: The Atlantic Slave Trade
3 - Moving Towards a New Life: Ellis Island

This VR activity would be used in GESII in the subject of "Moviments migratoris".

1- Mirador de Colom 2 - Camp Nou 3 - Castillo de Montjuïc 4 - The Sagrada Familia 5 - Aerial View of the City

1- Mirador de Colom 2 - Camp Nou 3 - Castillo de Montjuïc 4 - The Sagrada Familia 5 - Aerial View of the City

1- Mirador de Colom 2 - Camp Nou 3 - Castillo de Montjuïc 4 - The Sagrada Familia 5 - Aerial View of the City

We all know what happens when we accidentally touch a hot pot. It hurts! The part of the body that is responsible for sending pain is the nervous system. The nervous system is one of the most complex systems of the human body and it is composed of the brain, spinal cord, and also nerves all over our bodies. This is the system that helps us process information, interact with the world around us, and control our bodies.

Augmented reality

I must admit I've just discovered a brand new world on augmented reality. I didn't have  any information about these tools. Blippar, Quivervision, HP Reveal seem really useful and attractive to me and to students. They allow you to feel part of the learning process, more engaging and they can finally feel surrounded by the contents they are learning (Science, History, Geography...). Besides, for sure, all the new knowledge that you can see, touch, hear, feel...it certainly persists, keeps longer in your mind and leaves a footprint that will last more than simply transmiting knowledge in a more conventional way.
For Secondary students probably Blippar and HP Reveal will be more suitable, or we could use Quivervision as a warming-up activity. I consider that the first two apps, will engage more teen students and make them part of the learning process as they can be an active part in preparing learning materials.

However, I see them as a way to get to knowledge much more enjoyable and practical, although at the end they need to fulfill some worksheets. Well, that's my first impresion, I need to practise directly wit these tools in order to see its potential.

See some examples of Blipper:
Acabo de blippear esto. Para probar, descarga Blippar y blippea la imagen #blippar 
https://share.blippar.com/b/25491

See some examples of Quivervision (about the Animal Cell):

VIDEO PROJECT

https://youtu.be/yUjYHDdgwPw




















Learn about useful expressions when asking for some information in a new city.