Helene Coulombe

Recently retired, blogger

[Helene Coulombe @HeleneCocsb]

Donated collection of educational books related to leadership, instructional design,  assessment, literacy, learning mathematics to the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA). Support The Mammoth Book Sales or call to reserve an appointment to Browse the Stacks.

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

Grading is one of educators' most challenging tasks. Let’s give grading the importance it deserves - as a small but significant part of the assessment and instruction process. Read more about determining a fair and representative grade:
https://t.co/0y6HnoYKY1

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

You take the time to identify clear, focussed learning goals. How do you get students to engage with them? https://t.co/0jdvo69bjF

[Helene Coulombe @HeleneCocsb]

Time to look back at previous posts! Still relevant!

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

As we're winding up Sept, now would be a good time to reflect on assmt and instrtn. Are goals shared with learners? Do the goals focus on the knowledge and skills to be learned? Is there a focus on "learning" rather than "doing"? Read more: https://t.co/ayKtJ2dwLB

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

As we're winding up Sept, now would be a good time to reflect on assmt and instrtn. Are goals shared with learners? Do the goals focus on the knowledge and skills to be learned? Is there a focus on "learning" rather than "doing"? Read more: https://t.co/ayKtJ2dwLB

[Helene Coulombe @HeleneCocsb]

“More than ever before, students returning to school this year need to regain a sense of control and certainty that they can draw meaningful connections to their own lives and to the community – past, present and future.” Read about using a concept map.

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

Returning to school this year will be different than any other year. More than ever, educators need to devise strategies that provide info about what a student already knows in order to move learning forward. https://t.co/QUFXSXrH5O #empoweringlearners #assessmentISlearning

[Helene Coulombe @HeleneCocsb]

Educators getting ready for return to school. What mindset will anchor planning? Focusing on learning gaps OR assessing what students CAN do and moving the learning forward?

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

The students you will meet on the 1st day will have had a variety of learning experiences and varying amounts of growth (or lack of growth) in the previous year and a half.  How might we possibly meet their needs? #assessmentISlearning #empoweringlearners
https://t.co/tDi43ZuMUP

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

You have a wealth of evidence of learning, but how do you actually determine the grade for the report card? Read more: https://t.co/AvZCxWZOkH #assessmentISlearning #empoweringlearners #harnessassessment

[Helene Coulombe @HeleneCocsb]

Important post to rekindle ideas related to determining the grade. (My apologies for not highlighting this one sooner)

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

Whether you went to school in the 1950s or the year 2000 you know that an A is better than a D; 90% is better than 60%. But what do these symbols say about what was achieved? Read more: https://t.co/AvZCxWZOkH #assessmentISlearning

[Helene Coulombe @HeleneCocsb]

Latest post in ‘Determining the Grade’ series. “Ask any three teachers to grade a complex student performance, and it’s quite possible you will have three different grades!” So what is (or isn’t) professional judgment?

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

What is professional judgment? We use it on a daily basis, making decisions that have profound implications for learners. Yet, it often seems mysterious or unpredictable. Read more: https://t.co/BAdRPc6577

[Helene Coulombe @HeleneCocsb]

Getting closer to report card time. Another post in the series ‘Determining the grade’.

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

If you are mindfully preparing for determining the grade, then merely riding the wave of learning experiences and collecting numerous artefacts is not enough. Read more in our latest post to support fair and accurate grading: https://t.co/pVKuXlHYg3 #assessmentISlearning

[Helene Coulombe @HeleneCocsb]

Another post in the series related to the thinking process of determining the grade.

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

With only a few weeks before the next reporting period, it’s important to do a check in to see whether you will have the evidence of learning that you need to determine a fair and accurate grade. Read more: https://t.co/UYM8snZnKJ

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

What can you do now to be ready for reporting in June? With the challenges of teaching in a pandemic, here's some thoughts on organizing the evidence of learning that will inform your professional judgement when grading, . https://t.co/9ba5l1aEGd

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

Are you a 'planner' or a 'pantser'? Here's some thoughts on how you might use the remaining weeks of this school year to make grading a process that can benefit educators and learners alike. https://t.co/OH8GQA6Ikh

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

Determining a grade is not about applying a formula, nor is it a step-by step approach -- it’s a thinking process that requires examining interrelated concepts leading to an accurate representation of student learning over time. https://t.co/UAtEqszPEF

[Helene Coulombe @HeleneCocsb]

Educators are always looking for the most effective strategies! Developing intentional questioning skills supports student thinking. Read through this post for practical suggestions.

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

If questions are to promote thinking and learning, it pays to slow down. Questioning can actually be used as a method of exclusion. Read more at https://t.co/Vp0eY7TYgJ #assessmentISlearning #empoweringlearners #harnessassessment

[Helene Coulombe @HeleneCocsb]

Changing the way we think about questioning and assessment.

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

If we're asking learners questions, let's make them worthwhile. Effective questions elicit quality information about learning, build collaborative learning environments, and empower learners. #assessmentISlearning #empoweringlearners #harnessassessment https://t.co/I8OGmevm2G

[Helene Coulombe @HeleneCocsb]

@HarnessingA This article highlights the importance of questioning as an intentional tool. “Questioning is a teaching and learning activity that embodies the idea that effective assessment and instruction are inextricably intertwined.”

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

Questioning can be a powerful instructional strategy; it can also shut down student participation as well as thinking. Learn more at https://t.co/Ka9MFOirjA #assessmentISlearning #empoweringlearners #harnessassessment

[Helene Coulombe @HeleneCocsb]

Whether engaged in face-to-face or distance learning, effective assessment strategies have not changed since COVID emerged. Read this post to refresh understanding.

[Harnessing the Power of Assessment @HarnessingA]

The COVID-19 virus became the great disruptor across the world but did it change everything? Effective assessment strategies in education did not change!
https://t.co/SFXi1qFS28