Module 5 Assessing Student Projects

This module has helped me think about student-centered assessments in the following ways; first it has given me some great ideas on how to assess higher level thinking skills and 21st Century Skills in a simple way that is easy for my students to understand and be a part of.   It has also helped me realize my own opinions on project based learning and how without it students will never or probably never learn the skills they will need to be successful in the 21st century society/workforce.  The other "big idea" I realized tonight was that I have sub-consciously developed a mistrust in my students ability to be a part of their own learning.  After giving myself a self assessment on my current practices I realize how little I do to make my students responsible for their learning.  I tend to take on all of the responsibility, which could potentially put my kids at a disadvantage down the road. I have to ask myself why I've done this... Is it because of the accountability that I'm held to by my principal, district, parents, pacing guides, benchmark and AIMS tests?  Is it out of fear that my students will fail?  Am I that much of a control freak? :) I guess it's probably a combination of all of the above.  I think I've learned from this module that I need to learn to not hold my students hands so much and trust in their strengths!