Artifact Reflection
Standard:
WSTDL Standard One- Content: Teachers know the subjects they are teaching.
The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline she or he teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for pupils.
Title of Artifact: Elementary Education Content Knowledge Exam
Date Completed: February 28th, 2012
Description of Artifact: The Praxis II exam was a compilation of elementary education content knowledge. The questions consisted of a broad range of different subjects, topics, and skill levels. This test is designed for prospective teachers in the primary through upper elementary school grades. This exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions which are focused on the four main subject areas of science, social studies, math, and reading/language arts. I have attached a copy of my Praxis results sheet, displaying passing scores on all of the Praxis tests I have taken, including the Elementary Education Content Knowledge Exam.
Alignment:
Wisconsin Teacher Standard-
Standard one is focused on the concept that teachers know the subjects that they are teaching. The exam covered a huge range of different topics within each subject. In the reading/language arts subject, the test focused on foundations of reading, language in writing and communication skills. Within the subject of math, the test contained questions about mathematical processes, number sense and numeration, algebraic concepts, informal geometry and measurement, as well as data organization and interpretation. Under the subject of social studies, the following areas were covered: geography, anthropology, sociology, world history, United States history, government, citizenship, democracy, economics, social studies as inquiry, and social studies processes. Lastly, the science subject area focused on earth science, life science, physical science, science in personal and social perspectives, science as inquiry, and science processes. As you can see, this exam covers a large number of content areas. I left the testing building feeling capable, confident, and knowledgeable in my content areas. Therefore I feel that this artifact truly displays that I know the subjects that I will be teaching in the future.
UW-Platteville School of Education, Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statement-
KSD1.a- Demonstrates Knowledge of Content and Pedagogy falls under domain one of planning and preparation. This KSD states that the candidate displays extensive content knowledge of his/her subject areas and demonstrates a continuing search for new content knowledge, resources, and best instructional practices, while understanding student diversity and student misconceptions and misunderstandings as key to the teaching process. I feel that this KSD best aligns with this artifact because as you can see in the extensive list above that I provided, this artifact displays that I demonstrated knowledge in all of these different content areas. A few other KSD’s that I found as a secondary alignment are KSD1.b- Demonstrates Knowledge of Students and KS1.d- Demonstrates Knowledge of Resources.
Reflection:
What I learned about teaching/learning from this experience:
From this experience, I learned how important preparation and dedication is. I learned that I am clearly capable of teaching the content presented in these various subject areas and I gained confidence in these content areas. Before actually taking this exam, I spent a lot of time preparing for it and making sure I was ready. While I was taking the exam, I was surprised by the wide array of content that it covered but I felt pretty confident when answering the different types of questions. There was a time limit of two hours to take the exam, and I finished much sooner then that. The exam is taken on a computer, which was nice because you knew your score as soon as you are finished. I was very excited when I saw that passing score on the computer screen. I was so proud that I passed the exam because that showed me that I was absolutely capable of preparing and passing an exam of this sort. This exam was very important to me, being that it is a requirement in order to get my teaching degree and that it covered the content for the age range I am going to be teaching in the future.
What I learned about myself as a prospective educator from this experience:
As a prospective educator, I learned that having a strong knowledge base of the content you are teaching is very important. Along with that I feel that as a teacher, confidence is very important. You need to feel confident and comfortable with the content areas that you are teaching; especially as an elementary school teacher because you are the only teacher for each of these different subjects. I have learned that within each of these different content areas, there are also so many other things that come into play such as the specific common core standards for that subject, specific concepts, and teaching structures. In addition, those standards, concepts, and structures are going to be different for each of the different subjects. Overall, I feel that this experience taught me a lot as a prospective educator and made me comfortable and confident with my knowledge base of elementary education content.