--- TIC-TECH message:
Here are the results/my reflections on giving the DWA (Direct Writing
Assessment) to my third graders (day 3 of 3), especially as it relates
to using word processors for the test.
Ten of my 26 students ended up using Word for their writing. It would
have been twelve, but one bailed out on the first day, and one felt more
comfortable writing in the test booklet by hand what she had typed and
printed out the first two days.
As the computer users approached the point where they were ready to say
they were done, I went around individually and changed font (Times 14pt)
and line spacing (double) to meet testing specs. The writers watched
while I did this. There is also a two page maximum, which some were
over, so we deleted extra carriage returns they had put in between
paragraphs. A couple had to actually CUT some of their writing to fit
on two pages. The cuts, of course, were up to them.
The one student who had lost her day two writing because of a computer
freeze finished up a day later just fine - she was one of those who had
to cut her writing.
Most of the computer users just couldn't believe they were done when
they printed out their final copy. "You mean I don't have to write it
in the testing booklet?" Some seemed like they felt guilty, like they
were getting away with something... it's tough to pinpoint their
reaction. Basically, there they were with this nice looking copy -
while their classmates were all busy, hunched over, working very hard
rewriting their words in their best handwriting in the official test
booklet.
I went around to all writers making sure they indicated on the test form
which of the two prompt choices they were responding to. One of the
typers read her prompts, her face went pale, and her jaw dropped as she
realized she had written a great piece on some other topic. I said it
wouldn't do, her paper would not be scored, etc. - in as gentle a way as
possible. We're on the brink of tears here... Fifteen minutes of
testing time left. She asked if she could start over. Yes, I said.
She asked if she could write about yesterday's earthquake (appropriate
to her prompt). Great idea, I said. Thirty minutes later she had quite
a nice piece of writing completed - on her computer. - Mark
ps - I'd be real happy to hear from others who used word processors for
the DWA, on or off list.
Mark Ahlness
mahlness@cks.ssd.k12.wa.us
Teacher, grade three at:
Arbor Heights Elementary School
http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Mar 02 2001 - 20:55:34 PST