Susan Polick

Hi Brandon - Thank you for pointing out that the classroom environment is not just the physical setting. As you mention, the "attitude" felt in the classroom is also very important. Best wishea for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Lisa - What a creative idea! How did you come up with it? It does indeed accomodate all the styles and is fun besides. I can't wait to try this in one of my classes - thanks for sharing! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Tracy- Thanks for your post to the forum! Looking at test scores does indeed tell us a lot about what students are "getting". It is also important to carefully review the tests to be sure that they are measuring what we need. For example,If you see a pattern of wrong answers, either the test has a problem or you are not getting that material across. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan

Hi Gary - Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, ultimately we need our students to be successful. If we do not, WE are not successful! Using as many learning strategies as possible will bring that success. Best wishes- Susan

Hi Amy- Good question! The reason for that advice is because it's almost impossible to create an assessment with numerous essay questions with equal degrees of difficulty. This can cause a problem with the reliability of the test. I understand where you are coming from and students will certainly do better answering a question on a topic that they have experience with. However we are assessing not their experience, but rather what they are learning. Does that make sense? Best wishes! Susan

Hi Fran - Thanks for your post to the forum. The idea of playing Jeopardy using the Smart board is terrific - can't wait to try it! Thanks for sharing. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Dean - Thanks for your post to the forum. I really like your idea of having a video camera available. It would be a great tool to review what went wrong and what went right! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Rod - excellent point! In our Hardware Technology class we have "teardown machines" and each has been set up with a different scenario i.e. some problem that the students have to troubleshoot for and then repair. Of course the instructor has the master list of the machines and the problem each has. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Melissa- Thanks for your post to the forum. Well constructed powerpoints are great in the classroom, especially if you make sure to pause often for questions and mix it up with perhaps some samples, models etc to pass around. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Sara- I also love watching the "lightbulbs" light up! The excitement in the room can at times be almost palpable. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan