My PLN

MacDougall, M. © 2015

The topic highlighted at this workshop was EQAO Assessments. I think this workshop was incredibly helpful for me as a future educator because Lorraine gave us strategies to approach the EQAO test. She debunked myths about the test as well, which diminished my anxiety about "teaching to the test". Lorraine explained that the EQAO test is created based off of curriculum expectations, and that we don't have to teach extra to students to prepare them for the test - they should have learned the content for these tests from attending classes. What teachers can focus on teaching, is test taking skills. Making sure students know how to fill out a multiple choice test. Another important fact Lorraine told us about is that students can get a score of 10 (out of a possible 40) just for attempting the question. This showed me the importance of instilling perserverance to my students. I will make sure that they know to at least try! If they don't try they will get a B (blank) or I (illegible/irrelevant) and that doesn't give them a numerical value to add to their test.

I will definitely adapt the strategies learned today, to ensure that my students know how to take the tests, and know how to create good answers.

I think every teacher should have to take workshops on EQAO testing so that they know what to expect. I think it would minimize stress, and also negativity associated with EQAO. I have heard negative comments from teachers who are stressed about the test, and I think that after this workshop I am less worried about facilitating an EQAO test.

The workshop utilized a projector and power point to facilitate the information, accompanied by handouts. I think that the projector was a good way to teach the workshop as there were 40 of us and we were all able to focus on the same problem and see the same things. 

MacDougall, M. © 2015