Learning assessments occur before, during, and after teaching lessons and enable teachers to evaluate student knowledge, understanding and performance. Assessment tools include multiple choice and short answer tests, essays and other written tasks, oral discussions, teacher observation, class participation, and student projects. Technology can lend a hand in successful learning assessments with a few useful tools:
- Electronic tests and quizzes
- Gradekeeping software
- Digital Portfolios
- Student response systems
- Online surveys
- Learning performance rubrics
Using and and all of the tools can provide a teacher with easy to use means to assess his/her students.
Understanding by design (UBD) is an approach to curricular development, there are three main stages to this approach:
- Identify desired results
- Determine acceptable evidence
- Plan learning experience and instruction
The internet provides vast resources for developing lessons using the UBD method. Already assembled lesson plans on virtually any topic for any grade level are free on educational websites such as PBS and Anneberg Learner. These resources can help new teachers adjust to this type of curriculum and serve as a great starting point for the development of their first lesson plans.
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| Credit to Fuchsia Foot via Flickr |
The main resource schools use to asses their students is standardized testing. I personally do not agree with this because I do not think it is an accurate way to measure someones intelligence. There are many forms of intelligence and not all of those can be clear from a test. There are many students who suffer from test taking anxieties and freeze up when they are put on the spot. This puts an unfair amount of pressure on todays youth because they fear they will not advance to the next grade level. Although I know it provides schools with funding I think we should brain storm alternate methods.
Resources:
Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.
LOL - what a 'wild' Voki! :) There is nothing more interesting and engaging than such a site for students - they can't resist 'listening' to their teacher this way and allowing them to create their own Voki to share what they learned is incredibly powerful.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, standardized testing will be around for awhile but I do think the tide is turning - at least a little bit - and there is a pendulum swing away from so much testing and more varied assessments as contributors to the overall picture of a student's learning. That's a good thing - but not sure if it will move fast enough to get more creative innovation going in our schools and therefore, in our society as well. :)