Beverly McBroom, RCOE, Appalachian State University
The
Portrait of a Learner assignment was a semester long study of a chosen
child within the class in which I was doing my internship. This particular
student was observed, interviewed, and assessed through various means.
Formal
assessments such as the Spelling Assessment and the Word Recognition Inventory
(WRI), were conducted on Portrait students. The assessments were
to help Block students grasp a better understanding of their Portrait students.
Because
these students were singled out and at times, audio taped and video-taped
(12.2), it was importaint that a permission
slip be signed by the parent(s) or guardian(s) (14.1).
The audiotaping was done in order to dictate answers to interview questions.
The video was compiled of different clips of my Portrait student participating
in various aspects of observation and assessment. My Portrait student's
growth was documented on the video. One watching the video would
witness the children actively learning through a medium such as computer
software (12.5). The video was also assigned
to Block students to practice technology skills. After editing (adding
music, organizing, and doing voice-overing), Block students shared their
videos with one another, their professors, and to faculty and staff of
the cooperating schools (Beech and Bethel Elementary schools) (12.3).
