Get to know a CBE

Non-Traditional Assessment with CBE of the Month Stephanie Dalton

Posted by cemignano on

We’d like to introduce you to December’s Certified BrainPOP Educator of the Month, Stephanie Dalton! Stephanie became a CBE in the fall of 2018, is an 8th grade English and Composition teacher, and has been spending her days with 8th graders for 13 years!

What inspired you to go into education?
I never wanted to be a teacher, until I spent a summer as a camp counselor. It was then that I fell in love with the age group of jr. high students. They are the most hilarious and inspiring group of humans. They share so much hope with me.

What are you most passionate about when it comes to education, technology, and your approaches to teaching?
I am passionate about student learning through any avenue possible. For me, I love the way technology gives us those new avenues for learning. Technology has torn down the walls of one way learning. Students can now learn in the best way for each and every one of them.

How does BrainPOP support your educational passions and inspirations?  
BrainPOP has been one of my favorite tools for assessment. Students can show their learning and mastery in so many different ways. Some students show their learning through gaming, while others show their learning through a Make-a-Map. I love that, with BrainPOP, mastery has been given options. 

How has BrainPOP supported your use of non-traditional assessments?
I created a lesson for a non-traditional assessment in our argumentation unit. Students were able to prove their skills by playing the game Quandary. Students played through the scenarios and used the SnapThought tool to explain their thinking at each step of the process. The assessment allowed students to dive deep into their knowledge of argument in a way that didn’t feel like “school.” They were putting their new knowledge into action and reflecting along the way. Every tool in BrainPOP allows us to see our students’ knowledge without the traditional test.

What’s on your BrainPOP wish list?
I love the creation tools in BrainPOP so my wish is for students to create for an authentic audience. Can we take our BrainPOP creations out further?