Comparative Assessment in Childhood Education

Project summary:

• Each university will require the respective teacher candidates to engage in a six-week child study project in a preschool setting.
• Students will form an online collaborative to mentor and critique each other's work.
• Following training on observation, inter-rater reliability, and documentation tools, using commercial video, the teacher candidates will identify young children to observe for their studies; the children chosen for observation will be approved by the respective instructors.
• During the six-weeks, students will meet online weekly to exchange ideas about the respective child studies, as well as to discuss school, schooling, and family life of the children and their families.
• Students will be asked to review progress toward completion of the required child study elements.
• Students will prepare a reflective analysis, based on their conversations, the child study, and theoretical readings that focused on the experiences of the study and the cultural, linguistic, educational, familial, and social factors that influence child development in the urban environment.

Project length:

• 10-11 weeks

Technology tools used:

• Scopia, Skype, Google Hangouts

Interaction Mode:

• Synchronous
• Asynchronous

Learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate facility in compiling all assessment data--observation, informal assessment, standardized assessment, family interview in a child study.
• Compare the educational, familial, and social lives of young children in urban Mexico City and Chicago.
• Students will learn about respecting the perspectives of others different from themselves.
• Students will gain knowledge of global interconnectedness and interdependencies.
• Students will gain knowledge to become a steward of global resources for a sustainable future.