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Agencies Class, Fall 1999

California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Latest update: September 3, 1999
E-Mail Curran or Takata.

Jeanne's Notes on Exercise 3: Final Evaluation of Learning
Sample E-Mail Answers to Exercise 3: Final Evaluation of Learning

Jeanne's Notes on Exercise 3: Final Evaluation of Learning

Curran and Takata, Teaching Series
Copyright: September 1999. "Fair Use" encouraged.

  1. It would be a good idea to let me know that you have done this. Words work. You can just say "I've done it." At least then I know. (See exercise 4.)

  2. "Dog" letters refer to letters that speak in such generalities that they could be true of almost anyone, including my dog.

  3. Grades are like M&M's. They are the rewards you get for doing what you are supposed to. The problem is that the M&M's are then sometimes substituted for the real goal. You will find considerable information on this concern with using external rewards, as opposed to internal motivation, or learning for the sheer joy of learning in Alfie Kohn's work.

  4. Interdependent means that what you do affects what I do and vice versa. What the Federal Reserve Bank does affects what I do, for it has a major effect on interest rates and how much money we have to spend. But the Federal Reserve Bank and I are not working interactively. We're just affecting each other within the infrastructure. What the teacher does affects the student's learning. And what the student responds affects the teacher's teaching, or should. But they may not be working interactively. To work interactively there must be useful communication between them. Each must listen in good faith to the other.

    Sample E-Mails

    From Donna Kim, CSUDH Agencies Class, Fall 1999:
    Very good grasp of concepts, and very well put. jeanne

    1. Browse quickly through Those Infamous Grades and Letters of Recommendation. Be sure that you follow the links to the"Dog" letters, and that you read through some of the theory.

      "I've done it"

    2. Explain in 25 words or so why we call some letters of recommendation "dog" letters.

      "Dog" letters consist of general statements that could be recommendations about anyone, including a dog.

    3. Explain in 25 words or so whether grades are connected to external or internal measures of learning.

      Unfortunately, grades indicate an external measure of learning. They are often achieved for status, but don't accurately depict one's level of internal learning or their understanding.

    4. Explain in 25 words or so why we believe that authentication of learning must be interdependent and interactive. How could it be interdependent without being interactive?

      Interdependent learning requires that both the instructor and student be involved. And, both are affected by that process and should rely on each other. When an instructor lectures, a student needs to show that he has understood the information by responding the knowledge back, either interactively via the internet, for example, or through other means of communication. By hearing the students' replies, the instructor can therefore adjust the teaching method and make necessary corrections. Learning can also be interdependent by what the United States Post Office does. Delivery fees can be increased, and it will affect me, but I am not working interactively with them.