Pedagogy

Question 1

Before focusing on how planes fly, Mr. Ross teaches his students the vocabulary they will need to understand some of the physics concepts involved.  He wants to ensure that his students are fluent with the vocabulary before moving on.  If not, he will develop a new lesson to reteach the vocabulary.  Which of the following types of assessments could Mr. Ross administer to best gauge student understanding.
A.  Summative
B.  Formative
C.  Portfolio
D.  Diagnostic

Answer 1

This question is designed to assess your understanding of the distinctions between different types of assessments. The correct answer is B. Formative assessments are designed to provide feedback during the instructional process to allow the teacher to adjust instruction to address students’ needs. In this scenario Mr. Ross must determine the level of mastery of his students before moving to the next step. Choice a is incorrect because summative assessments are given at the end of the unit. Choice c is wrong because a portfolio is a collection of student work. Choice d is incorrect because a diagnostic test is given to assess a student for a particular disability.

Question 2

Students have just read an article discussing common causes of species endangerment in this decade. The teacher then asks the following question.
“What are some factors that contribute to the endangerment of a species?” This question serves primarily to
A. Check for understanding
B. request clarification
c. encourage divergent thinking
D. assess evaluative skills

Answer 2

Choice A is correct since the question requires students to recall factors that contribute to a species becoming endangered. The question is designed to assess a teachers’ knowledge of questioning. When checking understanding during a lesson, teachers should ask lower level questions that require students to recall facts and other information from the lesson. Higher level questioning evolves once students have acquired the information. The other choices are higher level questions on Blooms taxonomy.

Question 3

Some parents complain to the principal about a project assigned to their children by the eighth grade English teacher.  The principal reviews the assignment and determines that it is too advanced for the students' grade level.  When explaining to the teacher why the assignment is inappropriate, the principal should refer to which of the following curriculum components?
A.  Sequence
B.  Scope
C.  Behavioral Objectives
D.  Philosophy Statement

Answer 3

The curricular concept of scope deals with the breadth of what is taught in a subject and sequence deals with the order in which the materials are taught. A project that is too advanced for the students lies outside of the scope. If it would have been sequence the principal would have remarked about the order of presentation.

Question 4

Mr. Rochester is an effective seasoned English teacher, but he recongnizes that there are trends in pedagogy that are new to him. He would like to learn more about how to implement new practices regularly. Which of the following learning opportunites would best help Mr. Rochester accomplish his goal?
A. A district workshop focusing on brain-based learning.
B. A district workshop on promoting emotional intelligence in the classroom.
C. Research articles that focus on reading-comprehension strategies.
D. A college course on implementing technology in the classroom.

Answer 4

This question is designed to assess your understanding of a variety of professional development practices and resources. C. Research articles that focus on reading comprehension strategies is the correct answer. His focus is to learn about new trends in teaching English. The others may impact instruction but they will not offer an understanding of the latest pedagogy.

Question 5

A student who uses a wheelchair for mobility would be eligible for special education for which of the following reasons?
A. All students who use wheelchairs for mobility are eligible for special education.
B. The student currently has a 504 plan in place.
C. The student has one major life area affected as a result of the need to use the wheelchair.
D. The students academic performance is affected as a result of the need to use the wheelchair.

Answer 5

Eligibility for special education services is based on a variety of sources. A physical disability that does not affect academic performance does not indicate eligibility.

Question 6

A principal encourages teachers to use discovery learning when appropriate. Discovery learning would be most appropriate to use when helping students do which of the following?
A. Understand how to divide fractions.
B. Understand the concept of photosynthesis.
C. Learn the rules of correct punctuation
D. Learn the skills involved in a new game.

Answer 6

D-Learn skills of a game. Discovery learning is an instructional strategy that depends on the teachers creation of circumstances or situation in which students can induce (or discover) general principles or concepts from their own free exploration of data and experiences. The teacher does not direct instruction in discovery learning, but rather monitors student participation and serves as a resource.