A New Way of Assessment

"Pedagogical documentation is a tremendously complex process with many, many layers to it" (Wein, C., 2015).  This week, I rekindled my love and appreciation for education as I learned an entirely new method of assessment, known as pedagogical documentation.  As stated, pedagogical documentation is "a process for documenting children's experiences and studying what children reveal about their views of the world (cite edu.gov.on.ca).  Retired professor, Dr. Carol Anne Wein notes that this approach can take many forms, for example: photographs, videos, handwritten notes, writing on a clipboard etc.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/b5/c6/ee/b5c6ee3785747300825fcd015c530528.jpg

Due to its efficacy, other schools have also adopted this way of teaching.  Here is a video outlining the general overview of the style of teaching and how it affects students within a classroom both academically, behaviourally and socially.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRWKp4hXadQ

After learning about pedagogical documentation, I regained my curiosity and excitement in becoming a teacher.  As stated in the YouTube video above, primary teacher Lisa Gatrell Yeo insightfully expressed that through this style of assessment, she is able to more effectively evaluate her students since she is able to track their though processes on a regular basis.  Kindergarten teacher, Johanne Chouinard also notes that by consistently tracking her students, she can gain further insight into their journeys of learning and investigate the steps they took to reach their final inquiries.  I found these remarks to be extremely useful, and as a fourth year student, I am surprised this is the first time that I am hearing of this style of teaching.

http://www.cmlcmarin.com/child-care-approach

Once I discovered pedagogical documentation, I researched a school situated in California that has adopted this way of education.  The school, Curious Minds Learning Center, is committed to offering a safe and nurturing environment where learning happens through play, collaboration, and co-constructive inquiry (cmlcmarin.com).  The educators within this school take inspiration from philosophic educators like John Dewy, Lev Vygotsky, Loris Malaguzzi, and Maria Montessori to integrate key concepts of early childhood education within a project-based curriculum created by the children and framed by the educators.  For more information on this learning centre, click here.

Although I believe that this method of education requires dedication and can be time-consuming, I also see the value and importance of incorporating co-constructive inquiry between the students and teacher within the classroom.  As a future educator, I am extremely interested in seeking more schools which use pedagogical documentation as a form of assessment, and hope to one day emulate these teaching practices within my classrooms.

References

Curious Minds Learning Center (2015). Curious Minds Learning Center. Retrieved from 

          http://www.cmlcmarin.com

Saanich School District. (2014, February 17) Learning stories: Documentation project - pedagogical narration in Saanich elementary schools. [Video file].           

           Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRWKp4hXadQ

Wein, C. (2015). Pedagogical documentation: A process of study. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/document.html