When mentoring our pre-service and in-service
teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically
tested best practices, and demonstrate how these best practices can be applied
in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both
teaching and teacher training. The combination of face to face instruction in a
physical setting and online learning is called blended learning. In this
section of the blog we will describe how the internet can serve as a
supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of pre-service and
in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will discuss how Teach-nology,
a free rubric making web tool, can be used to promote instruction in the
blended learning classroom. Before we explore how to use Teach-nology,
let’s define what a rubric is and the rationale for using rubrics in
instruction.
What is a rubric and what is its rationale?
A
rubric is an assessment instrument matrix that a teacher and perhaps his/her
students create to evaluate student performance for a given assignment. The
vertical columns in the matrix provide the performance standards for the
assignment. The horizontal rows describe the criteria for each
performance standard. See the sample rubric below:
Suggested Checklist of Exit Interactive
Competencies (Performance Standards) for the
Madrich or Madricha
Howard,
L.B, (2006). The Madrichim Manual: Six Steps to Becoming a Jewish Role Model.
Springfield, NJ: Behrman House.
[Taken
from Solomon, R and E (2009). Toolbox for Teachers and Madrichim: Moving
Madrichim to Mentor Teachers and Beyond. Tucson, AZ: Wheatmark Publishers]
Performance Criteria
Developing: The
madrich or madricha is beginning to implement the competency.
Basic:
The madrich or madricha satisfactorily implements the competency.
Proficient:
The
madrich or madricha implements the competency with ease and fluidity, and makes
smooth adjustments to different classroom situations.
Interactive
Competencies or Performance Standards
|
Not Evident
|
Developing
|
Basic
|
Proficient
|
Greeting
students as they enter the classroom
|
||||
Helping
students with their art projects
|
||||
Assisting
students with class work
|
||||
Leading
students in small group activities
|
||||
Leading
transitions between activities
|
||||
Reading
stories to the class
|
||||
Tutoring
students who need extra help
|
||||
Mentoring
students who have difficulty focusing during class
|
||||
Temporarily
taking charge of the class if the teacher is indisposed
|
||||
Teaching
a five minute mini-lesson to a small group of students or the entire class
|
||||
Participating
in and leading portions of a prayer service
|
What is the rationale for using a rubric?
- Rubrics help teachers teach their subject matter.
- Rubics clarify for students what they are expected to learn and how they will be graded.
- Rubrics coordinate instruction with assessment.
For
additional information on rubrics click on these two links:
Assumption: The teacher or
mentor teacher has an interactive white board (i.e. SMART Board, Promethean,
etc.), a Tablet PC (also called a Slate or Blade), a computer presenter or
computer with internet access attached to an LCD projector in the classroom. It
would be ideal if students or mentees had access to their own laptop computers
or Ipads. Given parental and school approval, and the development of
specific guidelines, smartphones can be used to enhance instruction as well.
Note: Although Teach-nology
can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, it can be also
be used for training pre-service and in-service Jewish educators for
professional or staff development. It is our hope that Jewish educators around
the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of
people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the
delivery of instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is
a CoP you might want to join.
Note: Teach-nology can be
used in a face to face and virtual classroom.
Where is Teach-nology located on the
internet?
What is Teach-nology?
Teach-nology
is a free rubric making web tool.
How
Teach-nology, a free rubric making web tool, can be used to promote instruction
in the blended learning classroom
Click on the links below to find resources
explaining how Teach-nology can be used to promote instruction in the face to
face and virtual classroom:
- http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/general/
- https://youtu.be/4Wo5XqnzFto
- http://www.screencast.com/t/bd5KD3tvtdl
On the next blog post we will
discuss how Teach-nology, a free rubric making web tool, can be used to promote
Judaic instruction and to mentor/train Jewish educators.
