Content
Title of artifacts: Praxis I and Praxis II Scores
Date experience completed: Fall of 2012
Description:
My artifact is the score sheets for my Praxis exams. My Praxis I results were 180 in reading, 174
in writing, and 185 in mathematics and I scored a 160 on my Praxis II. Praxis II is the Math
Content Knowledge Praxis Test. These results indicate my knowledge of overall content such as
reading and writing, but more specifically my mathematical content knowledge is at a higher
level of understanding.
Alignment Reflection
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment
I believe that this experience aligns with Wisconsin Standards Teacher Development and
Licensure One: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and
structures of the disciplines she or he teaches and can create learning experiences that
make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for pupils. I believe this artifact best aligns
with this standard because the Praxis I evaluates basic proficiency in reading, writing, and
mathematics. The tests are designed to evaluate whether you have the academic skills needed to
prepare for a career in education. Then the Praxis II Subject test assessments measure knowledge
of specific subjects that K–12 educators will teach, as well as general and subject-specific
teaching skills and knowledge. Math Content Knowledge Praxis Test, the Praxis II I took, score
was well above the needed score to pass. I need to know the basic knowledge to be able to
communicate with my students, coworkers, and parents. Then I need to have above average
knowledge of mathematics so that I can teach any student with any type of math ability. For
example, in my College Geometry we had to write proofs on concepts my students will be using
in their high school geometry class. Hence, I can use this knowledge to explain why and how a
certain concept works to my students in a way they can understand.
UW-Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skills, and Disposition Statement
Alignment
I believe that this experience best aligns with KSD1.a.: DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE
OF CONTENT AND PEDAGOGY. 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 believe this artifact best
aligns with this KSD because my Praxis test scores prove that I understand the central ideas and
concepts in mathematics. Hence, I can use my knowledge to create engaging lessons that keep
my students questioning and wanting to strengthen their math ability. In my experiences with
tutoring and teaching, I have seen many misconceptions. I have asked the students to explain
why they are doing this misconception to help me guide them back to the correct concept. For
example, many students when simplifying complex fractions want to move the top fraction down
and having the answer flipped, instead of moving the bottom fraction up. I use Drake’s song,
Started from the Bottom, to help remind the students that we flip the bottom fraction up to
simplify complex fractions.
This experience also aligns with:
•
KSD1.e – Designs Coherent Instruction
•
KSD2.b – Establishes a Culture for Learning
•
KSD3.c – Engages Students in Learning
Reflection:
What I learned about teaching from this experience:
From this experience, I have learned that I need to have a complete understanding of the topic
and concept that I’m teaching so that when a student is thinking outside the box and asking
deeper questions that I’m able to answer them and help them understanding more clearly. I also
found that students learn more about the topic when they are given the opportunity to try a few
problems their self in class and then able to ask me questions when they are stuck compared to
me lecturing on the topic. It also helps to relate the topic to other subjects and real life situations.
What I learned about myself as a future teacher:
From this experience, I have learned even though I have the basic knowledge of math. I do not
know every concept with complete understanding that I can answer those why and when will I
use this questions I will get from my students. I need to keep growing myself as a learner, in my
knowledge of math, just like I ask my students to do. I should follow the standards I give my
students to be a good role model, like being a lifelong learner. Lately, I have been learning hand
tricks with math, like using a hand for the first quadrant of the unit circle to find what sin of 30
degrees is exactly equal to one half. Therefore, continuing to learn means you will have the
resources to help your always changing students. It is important to understand that mathematical
and pedagogical knowledge are complex, ever-evolving subjects and one must absorb new ideas
and understandings in the field.