Thurs. Jan. 24: Assessment; Film Tactics

Part One examined the upcoming assignments. A clarification was attempted as to the "levels" of analysis of appropriate websites for the "ideas worth trying" assignment. In particular, A portal is an internet site which provides access or links to other sites. (Oxford American Dictionary.) That is not our interest. A Website identified (possibly through a portal) is the starting point: Gutenberg.com; cbc archives; Nicenet; Oxford English Dictionary; Kathy Shrock's guide to educators, etc. This is what we are focusing on at the first level for a description, pedagogic potential, potential problems, etc. The example takes the site one level deeper and looks at a particular text in gutenberg, a particular archive (eg. Foster Hewitt on hockey), a particular lesson plan, etc.

If you are confused, please ask.

Second, we explored some generic issues of assessment, in particular norm vs criterion referencing, and how the two get mixed up, which becomes the crux of the problem of grading: You cannot mix two methods, yet we continually do. There is also the separation of technical components vs academic components. In a class go-round, we identified A+ as synonymous with expert, wow!, scholarship, significantly above average, etc. The main point (with which there seemed to be generalk agreement) was that A+ is not equivalent to meeting stated technical criteria.

Third, we looked at the Halliwell Film Guide as a model for a brief descriptive (and evaluative) statement. We looked at Halliwell's evaluation of Begone Dull Care, which he rated as 4 stars (out of 4!) .

Finally, we previewed Film Tactics, a 1945 US Navy training film. The film (Originally in 16mm format) provided an insight into the sophisticated behavioristic model for the development of training films in the 1940s. Several implications seem quite relevant today (in spite of the age), such as prepare the class, review, discuss, test, ventilate, and so on. The film argued for "an hours worth of learning from an hours worth of training." In a class exercise, we explored the idea that "If you tell them what to look for, they will get it. If you don't tell them, they don't have a chance!"