The
topic I have chosen for my research simulation is alternatives to standardized
testing in early childhood. I chose this topic because I have personally
observed my first grade students having severe testing anxiety when it comes
time to complete our state and district testing. No matter what I tell my students
or how prepared they may be, it is heartbreaking to see students physically
shake, cry and even wet themselves because they are so nervous. I am interested
in learning more ways to make testing less of a formal process and more of a
set of engaging activities where students are not even aware they are being
tested. While I understand we will still have to complete state testing
requirements, I hope to find enough research so I may advocate for equally
effective, yet creative ways to yield assessment data.
The simulation process so far has
been a bit challenging. At first I could not find too much information about
alternates to standardized testing, but found many papers written about the
pros and cons of testing. After some deep research I found some great articles
and I look forward to applying the new terms from our resources in order to
seek a more thorough understanding of the evidence behind each article.
While I too struggle with many of the
terms, I am excited to expand on the terms and make the definitions more meaningful
within our individual research charts. I am excited to look back at my
completed research chart at the end of this course in order to document all I have
learned about the research process. Having a place to organize all the new information,
as well as to serve as a quick reference throughout my simulation will be very
beneficial for my confidence in this project.
With assessment and standardized testing
being a well-talked about concept with many educators, if anyone has any resources
or experiences with alternate testing, I welcome the help. I am interested in
any ideas or articles that may talk about different strategies to testing which
have proven to be effective. Through our collaboration throughout this course, I
am confident we all will come up with wonderful simulation projects. “Research means finding out new things” (Mac
Naughton & Rolfe, 2010, p.13) The
more I learn about your simulation projects, I will do my best to also help
each and every one of you with resources which I feel may be helpful in your research
journeys. Best of luck everyone!
Reference
Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., &
Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research:
International perspectives on theory
and practice (2nd ed.).
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI find research to be challenging still after knowing what is expectant of us. I like your topic of research. My son is in the 3rd grade and this year our state government has set a reading standard that I believe is very challenging and will be difficult for our little ones to get the teacher instruction time because of the constant reading test that are needed for them to pass their grade. Thanks for sharing your topic.
Hi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI like your specific topic, alternates to standardized testing! This is much needed research. We need to test new ways of testing, so that the controversy over testing will be over.
Liz