Objective vs. Effective Assessment

Reflect on the idea that tests are the only objective assessments of student learning.

            Tests and quizzes have been used as the primary means of assessing students in the classroom for a long time because of their objective nature.  Using quizzes, teacher-created tests, or standardized tests has allowed for “fair” and “unbiased” evaluation.  Whether the format is multiple choice, true/false, or short answer, the ability for a teacher’s opinions to affect the grade the student receives is minimized.  For this reason, other forms of assessment are often avoided, regardless of the many benefits of using them.

            While there are many different ways to assess students, the objectivity of them varies.  Other than using quizzes/tests, there are ways to assess students that still maintain the objective nature.  One such form is using a checklist.  When a teacher provides students with specific, detailed expectations using a checklist, a score is still given based on the number of items that are completed out of a total number on the list.  Using a percentage scale helps to maintain fairness and accountability for students.  Some subjectivity exists in the teacher’s perception of whether those items were completed, but it is far less than other forms of assessment. 

            Another form of assessment that is objective in nature is using a rubric.  Again, as with a checklist, it is based on numbers.  When teachers provide specific details regarding what attributes of the assignment are required for a perfect grade as well as varying levels of performance, there is little room for misunderstanding.  There is still subjectivity on the part of the evaluator to determine which level a student has performed at for each guideline, but again it is reduced in comparison to other forms of assessment.

            Although tests may be the most objective form of assessment, objectivity doesn’t automatically make it the most reliable.  There are many other factors that make “objective” testing unfair and unbiased.  Different learning styles, test anxiety, ability to recall information quickly, and even physical or learning disabilities can take away from the reliability of test results.  Allowing students to demonstrate understanding and knowledge in a variety of forms gives a teacher a much better idea as to how much learning has taken place.  “Meaningful assessment involves examining the learners’ entire conceptual network, not just focusing on discreet facts and principles.”

http://www.eduplace.com/science/profdev/articles/badders.html

A Technology Infused Classroom

Reflect on the idea of what a technology-infused classroom looks like. How do you plan to have a technology-infused classroom?

A technology-infused classroom can be achieved in any curricular area and for any grade level.  In order for a classroom to be considered technology-infused, the use of technology must be implemented as often as possible and using a variety of methods.  Technology use should be included in each stage of the teaching and learning that takes place in the classroom.  There are many ways to use technology in planning, direct instruction, practice, assessment, reflection, and remediation that may take place in the classroom.  Here are some ideas of ways that technology can be used in each of these areas:

Planning-

One part of planning is identifying student needs.  One way of doing this quickly and effectively is using a diagnostic.  There are many online diagnostics available to educators or they can be personalized and created by a teacher using such programs as Google Docs.  A teacher can also use the internet in order to find information needed to make his/her lessons more effective or even find lesson plans that can be used.

Direct Instruction-

Direct instruction can be boring for some students and may be more difficult to keep their attention. However, using such tools as interactive whiteboards, PowerPoint presentations, or web/video conferencing is a way to incorporate visuals that are interesting to the students while still presenting the information they need to learn. 

Practice-

Whether the practice of a new skill is done as guided practice or independent practice, technology use can make the practice much more effective.  A great way to get students to practice adequately is to allow them to use gaming methods.  There are a multitude of online games available for any curricular area. 

Assessment-

Assessment in the traditional form of testing can be done using technology such as online tests.  However, there are also many other opportunities for assessment to take place using a variety of tools.  Students can create a presentation highlighting what they have learned and present it to the class.  They can create a digital portfolio which can be used to assess student learning.  The options for ways that students can demonstrate understanding through the use of technology are endless.   

Reflection-

Reflection is a step in the learning process that is often overlooked because without the use of technology, it can be very tedious and time consuming.  However, by using a technology tool such as blogging, students and teachers can reflect on the learning experiences and engage in meaningful discussion. Using a digital portfolio is another great way to incorporate reflection as students must justify what selections are included.

Remediation-

Remediation is another step in the learning process that is often overlooked due to time constraints or a “majority rules” mentality.  If most students have mastered a skill, remediation for those that didn’t may seem unnecessary and therefore isn’t provided.  However, by using technology such as skill building software programs, differentiation is much easier. Students can work through the lessons at their own pace, getting remedial practice when needed. 

Since I am an online teacher, my “classroom” is obviously very technology-infused.  However, that doesn’t excuse me from trying to always implement new ways to incorporate new technology.  There are several goals that I have for doing this which include making video lessons for students, a classroom blog for discussion, and using programs like Study Island more in my class.  There is always room for improvement or increased implementation of technology as it continues to become more advanced and available. 

Using the Internet as a Tool in the Classroom

How can visual literacy and the use of Internet impact the teaching and learning process in the classroom? What are some visual-thinking strategies you would like to use in your classroom? What role do you want the Internet play in your classroom?

     The internet is an excellent tool to be used in the classroom and can have a huge impact on the teaching and learning that takes place.  The internet can be used to retrieve information, foster collaboration, or add enrichment to learning activities for teachers and students alike.   

Information:

     The amount of information on the internet is seemingly endless.  It isn’t restricted by boundaries such as a physical library of books.  There are a variety of search engines and processes which allow for specific searches to be made through use of key words or Boolean phrases.  Teachers can use this wealth of information for researching and creating lessons.  They can also find lesson plans for practically every topic that have already been created and shared by other educators.  Students can also sort through the information available when researching a topic and can pick and choose which sources they would like to use, and all without having to peruse through a huge amount of literature. 

Collaboration:

     Blogs, discussion forums, collaborative simulations or games, and internet communication tools are a few of the ways that the internet can be a tool to foster collaboration.  Teachers and students can all participate in these online activities either with their peers or with each other.  A classroom blog is a great way to encourage discussion and participation regarding topics in the classroom.  Discussion forums can be very specific to issues that teachers or students are facing.  Collaborative simulations or games are great hands-on activities that encourage teamwork and give students a meaningful learning experience.  Communication tools such as email or instant messaging are a great way to communicate either synchronously or asynchronously and can be used during the school day or beyond. 

Enrichment:

     The internet provides many opportunities for teachers and students to take their teaching or learning to whole new levels.  Online games, virtual field trips, podcasts, web conferencing, and simulations are just a few of the many opportunities that exist on the internet.  They overcome boundaries such as space or time that may exist within the classroom walls.  Teachers can provide these enrichment opportunities for students with some advanced preparation, or students can find them on their own, applying the skills they have learned. 

     As a teacher, I would love to continue learning new ways to incorporate the use of the internet in my own classroom.  I think this learning will come from training, exploration, and collaboration with others.  For starters, I would like to implement an activity in my class where students locate images or animations that tell the story that summarizes the learning that has taken place in the classroom.  These can serve as visual reminders or cues to the students to be able to reconnect to those lessons and remember the “main ideas.”  Since technology is becoming an increasingly integral part of society, I think it only makes sense that it does so in each classroom as well.

Using Technology to Teach More Students More Effectively

Describe the importance of using a variety of instructional strategies and the value they add to education of students in the 21st century. Evaluate the role technology plays in the implementation of various instructional strategies. How will this impact your teaching of students?

     Students learn in a variety of ways.  In the past, education has consisted mainly of lecture and rote memorization.  However, with the different learning styles comes the need for different instructional strategies.  Teachers must create various types of learning experiences in order to reach all students in the class.  Technology is a wonderful tool to be able to implement these various strategies and it is an ever increasing part of the classroom today.  According to Howard Gardner, there are seven distinct intelligences. They are as follows:

Visual-Spatial - think in terms of physical space, as do architects and sailors. Very aware of their environments. They like to draw, do jigsaw puzzles, read maps, daydream. They can be taught through drawings, verbal and physical imagery. Tools include models, graphics, charts, photographs, drawings, 3-D modeling, video, videoconferencing, television, multimedia, texts with pictures/charts/graphs.

Bodily-kinesthetic - use the body effectively, like a dancer or a surgeon. Keen sense of body awareness. They like movement, making things, touching. They communicate well through body language and be taught through physical activity, hands-on learning, acting out, role playing. Tools include equipment and real objects.

Musical - show sensitivity to rhythm and sound. They love music, but they are also sensitive to sounds in their environments. They may study better with music in the background. They can be taught by turning lessons into lyrics, speaking rhythmically, tapping out time. Tools include musical instruments, music, radio, stereo, CD-ROM, multimedia.

Interpersonal - understanding, interacting with others. These students learn through interaction. They have many friends, empathy for others, street smarts. They can be taught through group activities, seminars, dialogues. Tools include the telephone, audio conferencing, time and attention from the instructor, video conferencing, writing, computer conferencing, E-mail.

Intrapersonal - understanding one's own interests, goals. These learners tend to shy away from others. They're in tune with their inner feelings; they have wisdom, intuition and motivation, as well as a strong will, confidence and opinions. They can be taught through independent study and introspection. Tools include books, creative materials, diaries, privacy and time. They are the most independent of the learners.

Linguistic - using words effectively. These learners have highly developed auditory skills and often think in words. They like reading, playing word games, making up poetry or stories. They can be taught by encouraging them to say and see words, read books together. Tools include computers, games, multimedia, books, tape recorders, and lecture.

Logical -Mathematical - reasoning, calculating. Think conceptually, abstractly and are able to see and explore patterns and relationships. They like to experiment, solve puzzles, ask cosmic questions. They can be taught through logic games, investigations, mysteries. They need to learn and form concepts before they can deal with details.

http://www.tecweb.org/styles/gardner.html