Ms. Fieseler informs her students that their performance on the ...

[maegan_martin]

Ms. Fieseler informs her students that their performance on the group problem-solving exercises is worth one-third of their final grade. Is this an appropriate assessment practice? Why or why not?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Examine Mr. Mandabach's teaching practices during the lesson. Do they encourage rote learning or meaningful learning? Support your answer with two or more specific strategies from the case.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[Jody Vaughn]

Answer to Question 1

There is no easy answer to this question. Following are two important considerations:
 On the pro side: If application of mathematical concepts and procedures is an important objective for the class, then word problems provide one means of assessing whether students have achieved this objective.
 On the con side: Especially in the case of free riders such as Seth, the performance of the group is not an accurate reflection of how much each group member has learned. Students' final grades are usually assumed to reflect what they've achieved as individuals, not what they can do in cooperation with their peers.

Answer to Question 2

Throughout the lesson, Mr. Mandabach employs teaching practices that encourage meaningful learning. Following are examples:
 He asks students to apply what they've learned to a specific scenario.
 He asks students to justify their reasoning (Why do you think we should do this?).
 He teaches students a mnemonic

[maegan_martin]

TYSM

[gcook]

Excellent