Evolution into Standards Based Teaching
Showcase byAngela Engardio
Standards Based Learning (SBL) has become increasingly important to me throughout my career at Fraser High School, and in turn has become a continuous component in my Masters program assignment. Fraser High School has begun moving toward Standards Based (also known as proficiency-based) Learning/Teaching.
To provide more context to my work consider Standards Based Learning as defined by Fraser High School: Standards Based Learning is a framework of an ongoing learning cycle that ensures all students learn and can demonstrate proficiency (Dr. Lonze, 2012).
To provide more context to my work consider Standards Based Learning as defined by Fraser High School: Standards Based Learning is a framework of an ongoing learning cycle that ensures all students learn and can demonstrate proficiency (Dr. Lonze, 2012).
Why SBL?
Moving towards a SBL system will ensure the greatest possible achievement of all students, it provides an opportunity to individualize learning.
Before truly understanding SBL I was interested in reaching my mid-performing students and hoping to improve their grades through research and targeted assignments. The paper "Belief" was written based upon these mid-low performing students during my Internship year in Professional Roles and Teaching Practices (TE 803).
Before truly understanding SBL I was interested in reaching my mid-performing students and hoping to improve their grades through research and targeted assignments. The paper "Belief" was written based upon these mid-low performing students during my Internship year in Professional Roles and Teaching Practices (TE 803).
Students learn in different ways and at different paces - educators have known and attempted to differentiate learning. During the unit on Age of Exploration (and CEP 800), I conducted interviews with two drastically different students. Based upon their responses it was clear that moving these two individuals along through the same lessons and the same pace was not beneficial to either.
Does SBL work?
Once I had learned more about SBL I started research on the topic for a project in the course Approaches to Educational Research (CEP 822). This research serves as an introduction into the "Effects of Standards Based Learning."
What does SBL look like in the classroom?
SBL classrooms can take on a variety of forms. In my own classroom, SBL includes a Content Skills Tracker to allow students the ability to follow and account for their own progress. It also means lessons that allow students to move at their own pace through the given material. One such lesson on the Civil Rights movement was created for the MSU course on Adapting Innovative Technologies in Education (CEP 811). This lesson was a Stand Alone Instruction Resource, a video that included quiz questions throughout. The video is available for my students on my course Blackboard site. The video is unavailable for preview, however my lesson plan and powerpoint are both attached below.