676 Artifact Reflection #2

The artifact created in Module 7, was a collaborative project on sustainable farming that I have used in my high school Earth Science class for the last several years. Before our school was 1:1, everything for this project was written out or done as a (boring) PowerPoint presentation. Since the introduction of student Chromebooks, my students have been able to collaboratively create and manage virtual farms that avoid the destructive pitfalls of weathering and erosion, employ sustainable practices for maintaining fertile soil, and encourage the use of alternative forms of energy.

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Not only do my students manage a "farm", but they also get to practice their digital skills using Padlet, Google Drawings and a screencast platform of their choice (Screencastomatic, Screencastify, or WeVideo usually) to organize and present their entire project. Each web tool has collaborative capabilities and is easy for students to learn and use. I have been pleased with the final products each student group has produced and have been grateful to use technology to make my students look and sound tech savvy. Once the project is complete, students are responsible for adding their project to their digital portfolios for all to see and enjoy!

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The task for Module 7 included a rubric that assesses a student's ability to work collaboratively. The project already included a grading rubric that detailed the project components. I liked how the addition of a student collaboration rubric came together using the resources provided in the module and was pleased with the overall product.

For those teachers new to creating rubrics - my advice is to ask an expert in your building. Don't feel afraid to ask for help generating a rubric for a performance task or project. They are not easy to create, but there are plenty of good resources you can access to help you along. One that was recommended in Module 7 came from the Buck Institute for Education, providing a number of rubrics for presentations, projects, project design, creativity, and innovation. It's definitely a good starting point with plenty of vetted rubrics.

I'm looking forward to using this new-and-improved project at the beginning of the second semester and will ask my students for feedback to improve the rubric if necessary.