Category Archives: Assessment

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, or Never Use a Formula You Don’t Understand

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Ed Hitchcock

In my grade 10 Science class I recently gave my students an introductory microscope lab, and in my haste I used a “canned” lab from a textbook. Although there are some good activities in this lab, students are presented with … Continue reading →

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Socrative: web based response system for the classroom

Posted on November 9, 2011 by ed

I like the idea of “clickers”, when used judiciously, as a means of quickly checking rates of comprehension of a topic in a non-threatening (ie anonymous) way. But there are hardware requirements – both the clickers and the receiver – … Continue reading →

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A Foray into “non-traditional instruction”

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Ed Hitchcock

This year, with the Ecology unit in my Grade 9 Science classes, we focused heavily on invasive species. So after seven weeks of class (we have each class every other day), I think I gave a total of 4 traditional … Continue reading →

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Baby steps to SBG

Posted on April 13, 2011 by ed

The other day I posted about my frustration with my 12 Physics class. One of the approaches I decided to take was to use a standards-based format. Or, at least, my interpretation of it. I re-read all the ministry curriculum … Continue reading →

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What is Real Teaching? (Part 1)

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Ed Hitchcock

With recent discussions on Pseudoteaching, flipped classrooms, and a host of other fabulous concepts arising recently in the Webosphere, I thought it worthwhile to step back and try to take a look at what real teaching actually is. This is … Continue reading →

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How can we capitalize on Early Adopters?

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Ed Hitchcock

With the release of any new technology, there are early adopters, and there are cautious buyers (and, of course, abstainers). Early adopters are those who rush out and buy the latest device because it is the latest device, despite higher … Continue reading →

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DIY personalized, randomized assignments

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Ed Hitchcock

I like giving students randomized assignments. That is, I like assignments where they all get the same questions, but different numbers. That way, they can collaborate, but have to ask “how did you solve that question?” rather than “what did … Continue reading →

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Core Skills and Criteria

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Ed Hitchcock

I spent some time at the start of the year trying to decide what kinds of core science skills I would like my students to have. So I brainstormed, compiled a list, tweaked the list, winnowed it down, and finally … Continue reading →

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The Parable of Rose and Daisy

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Ed Hitchcock

(Originally published on my Budget Astronomer website)
A cautionary tale…
Once upon a time there were two neighbours, named Rose and Daisy. Both neighbours had beautiful gardens, that they tended regularly. On any clear day in the warmer months they could … Continue reading →

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