The best of Wes

21st July 2006

posted in assessment, blogs, edtech, guestblogger |

Wes in Canada
I’m sure those that subscribe to Wes’ blog aren’t use to having 3 days without a post. Wes seems to post about 3 times a day. Anyway, picking up on a suggestion from Miguel, I’m going to ask you for some help. (Miguel suggested a Skypecast but I’m too lazy)

Choose your favourite post from Speed of Creativity and write a short comment about it. I’ll start.

One of my favourite posts was Messy Assessment instead of flogging with standards. I don’t know if Wes coined the phrase “messy assessment” but he certainly has caught my attention with it. In Canada, we have not had to fight the heavy emphasis on testing and standards but I sense it’s coming. I appreciate not only Wes’ thoughts but I like the fact that he carries on the conversation within the comments. Here’s part of Wes’ answer to a comment about this post.

Another hallmark of messy assessment can involve audience. If we are just doing something for an audience of one (the teacher) then there may be a higher chance the activity is a fake one: not very authentic. If we are doing it for a broader audience, especially one that extends beyond the walls of the traditional classroom, then chances could be higher that the work we’ll do will be authentic. And the assessment can be messy.

Wes you need to add an assessment category to your blog.

Okay, now it’s your turn. Remember, I’m a guest here so make me look good and leave a comment!

On this day..

This entry was posted on Friday, July 21st, 2006 at 11:03 pm and is filed under assessment, blogs, edtech, guestblogger. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

1 On July 22nd, 2006, Chris Barker said:

My favorite post from Wes would be the one titled, “What do I want to do?”

Wes writes:

I am an educator because I believe in teachers. I believe in the power of individuals to make a positive, constructive difference in the lives of others– I know this power is real, because I have experienced it multiple times in my own life. I do not need to read a scientifically designed research study to know it is true. I do not need to read it on the Internet or in a print publication to validate this truth. I know it because I have lived it, and want to continue living it each day.

I feel like that is often what I miss when things get heavy. I start to question if I am making an impact or even doing any good. As educators we need to see through the political and administrative obstacles and give our all to prepare the students we work with to be as fully equipped for the lives they will face as possible!

He ends by quoting a poem/song from The Lord of the Rings (can’t go wrong there). And placing a remix of the turning points in all the movies that we love dearly where the characters start to believe in themselves, the purpose for which they are to play in the movies, and the strength they have been given to complete that purpose. As educators we have been given a lofty purpose, we must embrace that purpose and rise to the occasion with all that we have been given.

Thanks Wes, for all that you do! Great idea Dean.

2 On July 22nd, 2006, Cheryl Oakes said:

I have to say my favorite is Constructive Uses of Distruptive Technologies are the key , http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2006/05/06/constructive-uses-of-disruptive-tech-are-the-key/,
I read this when I need to affirm that what I am doing is good stuff. When we work in a district and feel isolated from other futuristic thinkers the blogosphere is where I turn to check out where I should be going. Thanks for providing more professional development on a daily basis.
Great idea Dean!

3 On July 22nd, 2006, Mark Ahlness said:

Wes has written so many wonderful things, but this is not hard at all for me… Podcast32: Cultivating Digital Literacy Through Blogging and Podcasting

This podcast is extremely memorable for 2 reasons - first, it literally jump started my classroom’s investment in their blogs, gave everyone a huge adrenalin boost that carried, and I believe spread… - and second, because Wesley advocated so passionately for teachers to “edify student bloggers” by leaving comments on student blogs, by passing on the message at other teaching workshops, and so on. My kids and countless others have benefitted in a big way from this very powerful message. Thanks, Wesley! - Mark

4 On July 22nd, 2006, Dean Shareski said:

Mark,

I remember that podcast and remember him mentioning your blog, that’s how I discovered you and your students. I think that’s the most amazing thing about blogs is how it connects us all…BTW, I checked your blog yesterday and see many of your students are still blogging in the summer!