Chapter 10 Reflection

This reading helped me to realize that technology can be incorporated into every aspect of teaching and learning, including assessment. I specifically like the idea of using technology for a performance assessment. I feel that completing many of the projects that we have learned about such as a podcast, iMovie, et cetera, could be used as an assignment as well as an alternative assessment for students. Technology could of course be used for students to take a multiple choice test, but I now realize that it would likely be better to use for assessment in an authentic, alternative way that allows students to show what they have learned in meaningful contexts. (These meaningful contexts would be in the many ways we have learned about in this course that I have discussed in previous posts.) I did not realize that using technology for the purpose of assessment had the advantage of making the data easier to collect and analyze, nor the fact that it could be done more often, allowing the teacher to better monitor progress. I have learned about the importance of formative assessment, but had not realize the role that technology could plan in that. I had also not previously considered the idea of electronic portfolios. We have learned how important they are in many of our education classes, so I had planned on using them in my classroom. I now see that e-portfolios would be beneficial in that they are easier to modify, easier to transport (i.e. they are not sitting in the classroom taking up space) and that they can be developed over time easily. I also figure that it would be harder to lose a portfolio if it is stored online. Last, I see the advantages of clickers in the classroom as a way to engage learners and increase student confidence when other students may also be incorrect. The only issue I see here is if a teacher was to display the results with only one student who had answered a question incorrectly. That student would know it, and may lose self-confidence rather than gain self-confidence. If given a traditional paper and pencil question that the teacher collected, this is less obvious.

In my classroom, I am now considering the idea of electronic portfolios instead of folders in the classroom. I think it would be a great way for students to safely and efficiently collect samples of work to show progression and achievement through the year. Parents and students could also access them more easily. I also would have my students reflect on their work in order to become more critical thinkers and make changes in the future. I will now also consider assessment criteria more thoroughly before my students begin the task, as the book emphasizes how important this is. I believe that I would be likely to explicitly explain criteria, as well as make an example portfolio for students to see what I expect. Many times teachers forget this, and students can become frustrated. Also, as a future teacher, I may use online rubric banks. I am not sure if they would be easier or more complicated, based on the fact that they are likely not going to exactly match my objectives, but I believe they would give me ideas just as other online sources give me ideas for planning lessons. I would also like to check out Rubric Processor or other rubric generators because I have never heard of these. I may use these if I find them to be helpful. I would also love to use clickers in my classroom because they would allow me to point out student misconceptions quickly, as well as engage students. I believe that my students and I would benefit from this method of assessment. Last, I will create online surveys for parents and/or students in order to be able to assess feelings and opinions.