As I mentioned yesterday, I finished the grading of the internal assessments (IAs) for the biology students. I still need to fill out the PSOW sheet for each candidate. This sheet involved documenting every lab we did during the two year course including the hours spent on the lab, a brief description of the activity, and the assessments performed.
I keep a log of the labs in a sample PSOW form as we do them. I simply add the data to the sheet and at the end of the two year course I just need to copy it for each student and fill out the final information (that student’s individual IA scores as well as the personal skills and manipulative skills assessments). I usually do a quick look through my blog and double check that I haven’t missed anything. I’ll need to especially go through my unit plans and make sure I have all of the ICT activities listed. My system has worked quite well and usually saves me some time at this time of year.
However, this year there is a new form. The thought of copying and pasting all that information over to the new form is overwhelming me. I was going to do it tonight but, in the end, couldn’t face it. I perused the IBO web site to see if there was any advice. Nothing. I did notice in the shared teachers resource site that someone has created an Excel file that, when filled in, will generate the new PSOW form for each candidate. That took a lot of work! I couldn’t determine if it will help me.
I recognize the need for progress and improvement. However, because I don’t understand yet how these forms work (apparently they can be saved while you’re working on them but I couldn’t reopen and saved attempts) it is exceedingly frustrating. Before expecting teachers to make changes I think trouble shooting should have taken place and clear instructions should be offered. Is that too much to ask?