IP Presentation

So we have decided on collabrating the three of our Inquiry Projects together in order to do the presentation. Are we discussing a teacher or making a skit based on a teacher who needs money to personally fund her class and needs to assess her students? I realized that I'm not sure on that.
During my part I will briefly discuss the main points of my Inquiry Project; Washback, theory vs. practicality, emphasis on certain content area, and one other topic that I have yet to discver...but will do so today.
Kelli - I looked at some of your IP stuff. You have a good variety of resources to look into. I had no idea there were so many grants and other finaincial aides that we can use.
Let me know if you guys start the unit plan, because I'm kind of confused on what to do with it. What is a unit? Is that like a chapter in a text book? Or is it a section in the text book?

My Topic

Ok, I am researching new ways to assess students that do not include formal tests. I would really like to have some new tools for next year to use that don't cause the usual affective filter, and give a little variety to the classroom. Why do we assess? What does it mean to understand? How do we assess? How can teachers use assessment to encourage students in their learning process? How do we avoid the pre-test jitters and help our students to always gradually be studying?

My topic is really broad, sorry!! So anything will help.

Our IP Group

So...tell me a little bit about your Inquiry Projects. What kinds of questions do you have? What do you want to find out? I am mostly interested in how assessment can be a means to improving instruction and student performance. Going along with this, I would like to gain more knowledge on what to assess, why assess it, and how. I feel assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning and can truly change the dynamics of the classroom.