Diving into Assessment: A Teacher's Tale of Mind Maps, Assessment Terminologies and Sticky Notes

It was a crisp January evening, the air buzzing with uncertainty, the winding down of the day, and the anticipation of a new semester. I, a humble TESOL student, quickly grabbed a chair in the classroom, ready to embark on a journey into the uncharted waters of assessment. This wasn't my first rodeo with Professor Genius (Let's call her that), and I knew her classes were anything but ordinary. Her Fall semester "Current Issues" had been a whirlwind of weekly presentations, but the collaborative spirit and creative final project (a padlet? an ebook? the possibilities were endless!) had made it a blast.

This semester, we were tackling the behemoth of Materials & Assessment. The syllabus, dense with terms like "mind maps", "screener", "placement", "rubrics" and "LAU plans," promised a challenging yet rewarding voyage. As Professor Genius began, a mischievous glint in her eye, I knew we were in for a treat.

First, a roll call – with a twist! She guessed the names of the newcomers, a playful charade that masked her already-memorized list (I guess). The classroom buzzed with excitement, whispers, a wealthy introduction by Professor Genuis, and nervous laughter. This class had more faces which meant more voices, more perspectives, and more presentations! Three hours and thirty minutes stretched before us, a vast ocean of learning waiting to be explored.

After dissecting the syllabus like seasoned detectives, Professor Genius laid out our mission: to conquer the assessment beast. It was then time for a five-minute break. Not before she informed us that we would be doing a lot of collaborative learning. Participation and collaboration were our shields, as we all got down to work to surmount the first hurdle.

But before we set sail, a five-minute break, a welcome respite in the intellectual storm. Refreshed, we returned to a mind-mapping frenzy. Two teams, armed with sticky notes and imagination, battled it out, conjuring up words like "evaluator," "portfolio," and even "culture" (don't ask!). Laughter filled the air as each team proudly presented their assessment lexicon.

Next, we delved into the Neosho School District's ELD/Immigrant/Migrant Lau Plan, a treasure trove of assessment terminology. Partnered up, we unearthed gems like "formative assessment" and "IAP IndividualizedAcademicPlan," each word a stepping stone on our path to mastery. Professor Genius then orchestrated a sticky-note symphony, weaving the key terms into a coherent narrative.

Finally, the pièce de résistance: a narrative challenge. With five assessment terms, four correct and one cleverly disguised imposter, we spun tales of triumphs and tribulations in the ESL classroom. The air crackled with suspense as we unraveled each story, the class abuzz with guesses and deductions. It was a masterclass in learning through laughter, a testament to the power of playful pedagogy.

As the final bell echoed, Professor Genius laid out the map for our next voyage: exploring the role of language specialists, annotating Lau plans, crafting infographics, and even designing an annual assessment calendar. Excitement simmered in my chest, a cocktail of anticipation and adrenaline. This semester, I knew, would be a roller coaster ride through the world of assessment, and I couldn't wait to buckle up.

So, dear reader, if you're a TESOL teacher seeking an adventure, join me on this journey. Professor Genius may be a demanding captain, but her ship is filled with laughter, collaboration, and a treasure trove of knowledge. We may face storms of confusion and waves of doubt, but with our trusty mind maps and playful narratives, we'll navigate the assessment waters with grace and confidence. Remember, the most important lesson isn't just about assessment, it's about the joy of learning, the power of collaboration, and the courage to embrace the unknown. So, hoist the sails, grab your sticky notes, and let's set sail!


#TESOL

#Assessment

#ESL

#Teachingis loving








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