Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)

Discover the secrets behind crafting effective rubrics that balance art and science. The discussion dives into different types of rubrics—analytic, holistic, and single-point—and their unique benefits. Find out why task neutrality matters, allowing criteria to apply broadly across assignments. Gain insights into providing feedback that enhances long-term learning, while also exploring the evolving role of rubrics in education. Hear humorous travel tales alongside inspiring educational discussions that promote global collaboration.

In this episode, Tom and Natalie ask, "Are Common Assessments Worth It?" Spoiler alert: they are, as long as certain fundamentals and conditions are adhered to. In particular, when common assessments are used formatively they can be a powerful process for enhanced learning for students and teachers!     UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Nov. 3-5: Aurora Institute Symposium New Orleans, LA     RECENT BOOKS: "Redefining Student Accountability" "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading" "Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"   CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE   Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG Email: assessthat24@gmail.com    

In this episode, Tom and Natalie explore the topic of feedback. They discuss it as both simple and complex. It's simple because there is unanimous agreement in academia about the role feedback plays in increasing student learning. It's complex because there are many contributing factors that lead to feedback potentially being ineffective.   In the end, Tom & Nat leave you with six guidelines for effective feedback.   FEEDBACK LESSONS   Lesson 1 - What is feedback?  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Zj5UPoNEIJK3x_i6dxGC3bjMFmaYiQSo/copy   Lesson 2 - How can I ask for and give feedback? https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ISI4f0rarjXpitgc9Ab4hkNbrK127HJN/copy   UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Oct. 17-19: NESA Fall Leadership Conference (Tom) Dubai, U.A.E. Nov. 3-5: Aurora Institute Symposium New Orleans, LA     RECENT BOOKS: "Redefining Student Accountability" "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading" "Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"   CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE   Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG Email: assessthat24@gmail.com    

In this episode of Assess THAT, Tom and Nat discuss how educators can quiet the grading noise. Whether it be the traditional graders on one side or the undgraders on the other, many educators can find themselves feeling uncertain about how to respond.   While the extreme positions often take center stage, especially online, it is the balanced positions that are more thoughtful, grounded, and helpful for those trying to navigate grading reform.     UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Sep. 23-24: GFIO 2-Day (Tom) Madison, WI Sep. 25-26: SBLA 2-Day (Tom) Madison, WI Sep. 30-Oct. 1: GFIO 2-Day (Natalie) Sacramento, CA Oct. 17-19: NESA Fall Leadership Conference (Tom) Dubai, U.A.E. Nov. 3-5: Aurora Institute Symposium New Orleans, LA     RECENT BOOKS: "Redefining Student Accountability" "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading" "Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"   CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE   Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG Email: assessthat24@gmail.com    

In this first episode of Assess THAT, Tom & Nat discuss the five reasons assessment must still be an essential part of every educator's professional learning plan.     UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Sep. 23-24: GFIO 2-Day (Tom) Madison, WI Sep. 25-26: SBLA 2-Day (Tom) Madison, WI Sep. 30-Oct. 1: GFIO 2-Day (Natalie) Sacramento, CA Oct. 17-19: NESA Fall Leadership Conference (Tom) Dubai, U.A.E. Nov. 3-5: Aurora Institute Symposium New Orleans, LA     RECENT BOOKS: "Redefining Student Accountability" "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading" "Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"   CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE   Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG Email: assessthat24@gmail.com    

Introducing Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso will be your go-to podcast for everything assessment. From formative assessment to feedback to grading, Tom and Natalie will share their expertise and experience to help you grow your assessment literacy to bring about a transformation within your classroom, your school, or even your district.   Beginning on September 9, Tom and Natalie will bring you bi-weekly episodes that drill down to what the research says, what it doesn't say, and how to put theory into practice.   Stay subscribed to the feed, and the episodes will download automatically!

John Hattie, Emeritus Laureate Professor at the University of Melbourne and renowned for his Visible Learning research, dives into the intricacies of effective education. He discusses the transformative power of feedback and goal setting in student learning, emphasizing the need for constructive critique. Hattie also unpacks the significance of effect size in evaluating teaching practices and highlights the importance of adaptability and subject knowledge. He reflects on the challenges educators face while urging a focus on successful practices for lasting impact.

MAY 2021: Tom was joined by Dr. Yvette Jackson, author of Pedagogy of Confidence, to discuss the equity issue surrounding Special Education and Gifted programs.   Yvette Jackson does not have an active social media presence. Email Yvette Jackson: DRJNUA@aol.com National Urban Alliance: www.nuatc.org     UYES PODCAST   UYES podcast link   NEW BOOKS BY TOM: "Redefining Student Accountability" (NEW)   "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"   "Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"   CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER Podcast on Twitter Tom on Twitter Podcast on Instagram Podcast on TikTok Podcast on Facebook www.tomschimmer.com Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com  

Are you feeling stifled in your job? Have you gone from being celebrated to being the problem? Are you ready to become your boss and finally live the life you were always meant for? If you answered 'yes' to any of the above questions, then this new podcast from Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso is for you! In each episode, Tom & Nat want to share their wisdom & experiences of leaving their jobs and building learning-based businesses as authors, speakers, and consultants.  If you are ready to leap but need support, subscribe below and let's get started!   Subscribe to the UYES Podcast   Follow Tom Schimmer on LinkedIn Follow Natalie Vardabasso on LinkedIn

JUNE 2022: Tom was joined by author Zaretta Hammond to discuss her 2015 book, "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain." Zaretta on X: @Ready4rigor Zaretta on Instagram: @crtandthebrain Zaretta on Facebook: CRTandtheBrain Zaretta on LinkedIn: Zaretta Hammond Zaretta’s Website: www.crtandthebrain.com     UYES PODCAST   UYES podcast link   NEW BOOKS BY TOM: "Redefining Student Accountability" (NEW)   "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"   "Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"   CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER Podcast on Twitter Tom on Twitter Podcast on Instagram Podcast on TikTok Podcast on Facebook www.tomschimmer.com Email: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com