Getting Started!

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I was a high school and middle school science teacher in Texas for years and have never worked harder in my life.  The demands were great and the pressure that I felt for my students to be successful was overwhelming.  But it was nothing compared to what teachers and students face today.  The rapidly changing world in which we live, global competition, 21st Century needs in the workplace, technology demands and opportunities, and high stakes testing have changed what students need to know as well as how they learn, and therefore what and how we should teach at both the pre-college and college level. This compels us to rethink teaching and learning. I was a classroom teacher as I worked through coursework toward my PhD and learned some strong lessons about the classroom.  My number one mantra:  It's all about the learning.  We often focus more on teaching, and less on learning.  Brings to mind that old joke that school is a place where students go to watch teachers work.  Ouch! 

This blog is dedicated to learning.  In particular how we (both teachers and students) can use classroom assessment to promote learning and address the needs of 21st century learners.  Journey with me and share your experiences so that we can learn from each other and grow.