Providing Clear Directions and Explanations

Giving students an opportunity to do group work in a Public Speaking course allows for an exchange of ideas from various points of view. This activity based on Persuasive Speech can further the students understanding of the assignment in a safe collective. Working as a team develops strong foundations from which to build a powerful argument based not only on value but factual claims. The outcome of this group activity encourages the steps of building a problem/solution organizational pattern presentation. The hope of this assessment is to scaffold into a solo presentation building from what the learner has employed from their group dynamic experience

Developing and Using Grading Guides, Checklists, and Rubrics

This reflection is based on an educational assignment from my Intro to Theatre Arts course at California State University, San Bernardino, May 2019. Providing students guidance when taking on a new assignment is essential. This direction may be achieved through a variety of sources: lectures, videos, examples of past students work, rubrics etc. One approach, which may benefit the learner in the immediate and have a lasting impression, is teaching students to use the grading tool at hand (rubric/checklist) to improve assignments. Following an example you have provided, the instructor will work with their students to use either a checklist or rubric to further a current or future assignment. The goal is to have a solid place to start. Having structure and guideposts, allows the learner to understand what a successful assignment looks like. Now they can take the necessary steps to build their own

Aligning Assessments with Course Outcomes

This reflection is based on an educational assignment from my Oral Interpretation of Literature course at California State University, San Bernardino, May 2019. A consistent focus and goal for me as an educator is to align assessments with course outcomes. The learning outcome for this class session focused on the cognitive approach- “students will develop the skills to communicate an oral interpretation of literature to an audience with believability, dramatic action and honesty.” The intention of this class period was for my students to clearly understand the difference between acting, reading and oral interpretation. Oral Interpretation is a type of performance using a text to share a piece of literature or poem with an audience. The presentation is enhanced by: using the body, voice and the author’s exact words to convey a true to life character

Planning an Effective Class Session

This reflection is based on an educational assignment from my Intro to Theatre course at California State University, San Bernardino, April 2019. As an educator, I am always interested in combining new techniques with tried and true approaches. My hope is twofold- enhance my students learning and keep me inspired. The concept of a beginning, middle and end in all classes, provides structure for your students and keeps the pedagogy focused. I incorporated the “I do, we do, you do” approach to support a well-balanced framework for the class period. This technique is a creative take on a beginning, middle and end

Responding to Writing by Responding to Learning by Giving Effective Feedback

This paper was a reflection on responding to your students writing by beginning the process with positive feedback. As writing instructors, it is important to focus on what our students are doing correctly with academic writing submissions and then offer suggestions for improvement

Providing Useful Feedback

This reflection is based on an educational assignment from my Oral Interpretation of Literature course at California State University, San Bernardino, April 2019. Assessment is an essential part of education. However, assessment shouldn’t necessarily come from only one source-the teacher. I believe students benefit from receiving feedback from not only their instructor, but from their peers and lastly from themselves. This layered reflection allows one to learn from what others feel about their work. It is essential to have a second eye if we are to grow as learners. This multi-perspective view allows the student to offer critical analysis to others while accepting commentary on their own efforts. The goal is take constructive criticism as part of the assessment/evaluation of your work and make improvements moving forward

Conversations

Conversations is the story of two sisters, Carlene who has recently lost her only son Winston and her estranged sister Meg. The death of Winston deepened a rift between both siblings that has stubbornly refused to heal. Winston cannot move on in the afterlife without the two sisters mending their past. He appears to Meg, convincing her that she must find and make amends with Carlene for all three to begin their journey towards closure. The story is not just about loss, it is full of humor, forgiveness, redemption, love, warmth, another chance to decide who you are, graced with a touch of magical realism

Conversations

Conversations is the story of two sisters, Carlene who has recently lost her only son Winston and her estranged sister Meg. The death of Winston deepened a rift between both siblings that has stubbornly refused to heal. Winston cannot move on in the afterlife without the two sisters mending their past. He appears to Meg, convincing her that she must find and make amends with Carlene for all three to begin their journey towards closure. The story is not just about loss, it is full of humor, forgiveness, redemption, love, warmth, another chance to decide who you are, graced with a touch of magical realism