July+7


 * Topics:**
 * Read/Critique/Discuss your multimedia essays – We are starting to develop a framework for alternatives to test preparation. What other resources did you discover that you added to our Diigo group?
 * Challenge-based learning
 * Setting up our course around challenge-based learning


 * Resources:**
 * Dropbox (CBL folder)
 * Diigo links tagged with “CBL” - @http://groups.diigo.com/group/2010_medu607


 * Assignment:**
 * Read the articles in the CBL folder in Dropbox; peruse the CBL site - @http://ali.apple.com/cbl/
 * Read the book //The Truth About Testing// (Popham)


 * CBL Framework**


 * The Big Idea:** The big idea is a broad concept that can be explored in multiple ways, is engaging, and has importance to students and the larger society.


 * Our Big Idea: **Authentic Assessment


 * The Essential Question:** By design, the big idea allows for the generation of a wide variety of essential questions that should reflect the interests of the students and the needs of their community. Essential questions identify what is important to know about the big idea and refine and contextualize that idea.


 * Our Essential Question: **What digital alternatives to test preparation exist that meet the requirements of accountability //and// promote meaningful student learning?


 * The Challenge:** From each essential question a challenge is articulated that asks students to create a specific answer or solution that can result in concrete, meaningful action.


 * Our Challenge: **Create and share a portfolio of resources that persuades teachers and leaders to utilize authentic assessment while meeting the requirements of accountability //and// promoting meaningful student learning.


 * Guiding Questions:** Generated by the students, these questions represent the knowledge students need to discover to successfully meet the challenge.


 * Our Guiding Questions: **
 * What are the alternatives to standardized testing?
 * Are games an alternative?
 * Are digital stories an alternative?
 * What are some specific examples of authentic, alternative assessment?
 * What types of technology resources can be part of authentic assessment?
 * How do you create a project-based lesson?
 * How do you plan to teach students to use the technology within the format of a digital alternative?
 * Is there research on the impact of standardized testing?
 * Do others have thoughts about "traditional" test prep?
 * Is there research on the impact of alternative assessment on performance on standardized tests?
 * How can digital alternatives impact student creativity/ 21st century skills?
 * How does the development of students' creativity and exploration impact test performance?
 * How can educators implement Reeves' framework of assessment within a paradigm of digital alternatives?
 * How do we persuade other educators to discard traditional forms of test preparation for alternative forms? What are the components of a persuasive argument?
 * Will standardized tests ever go away?


 * Guiding Activities:** These lessons, simulations, games, and other types of activities help students answer the guiding questions and set the foundation for them to develop innovative, insightful and realistic solutions.


 * Our Guiding Activities: **
 * Share findings, research, and examples on the Digital Alternatives Wikispace.
 * Read several books.
 * Find people who are doing creating and implementing what we are defining as digital alternatives and connect.
 * Research and critique examples prior to sharing.
 * Create our own activities.
 * Submit persuasive article to a journal.
 * Experience alternative assessments.


 * Guiding Resources:** This focused set of resources an include podcasts, websites, videos, databases, experts, and so on that support the activities and assist students with developing a solution.


 * Our Guiding Resources: **
 * wikispace
 * diigo
 * class texts
 * dropbox
 * journals
 * outside experts
 * inside experts/ personal experiences
 * iTunes U


 * Solutions:** Each challenge is stated broadly enough to allow for a variety of solutions. Each solution should be thoughtful, concrete, actionable, clearly articulated, and presented in a publishable multimedia format such as enhanced podcast or short video.


 * Our Solutions: **
 * Our examples
 * Our articles
 * Our posts to the Digital Alternatives Wikispace


 * Assessment:** The solution can be assessed for its connection to the challenge, accuracy of the content, clarity of communication, applicability for implementation, and efficacy of the ideas, among other things. In addition to the solution, the process that the individuals as well as teams went through in getting to a solution can also be assessed, capturing the development of 21st century skills.


 * Our Assessment: **
 * Feedback from outside sources.
 * Critique from each other.
 * Implementation of course outcomes in our own classrooms.
 * Personal reflection based on Reeves' framework.


 * Publishing:** The challenge process allows for multiple opportunities to document the experience and publish to a larger audience. Students are encouraged to publish their results online, soliciting feedback. The idea is to broaden the learning community and foster discussion about solutions to the challenges important to students.


 * Our Publishing: **
 * Digital Alternatives Wikispace
 * MEDU607 Wikispace
 * Journal article submission