Digital Badge #K- Chapter 11

The role of assessment is central to the work of teaching. Every teacher evaluates a students learning and that is one of the most important aspects of the job. In order to teach effectively one must asses effectively so they know the most effective way to teach each student. Assessment is multi factored, not a singular process of just giving grades after a test, it features 3 elements:

• New Teacher Assessment: How supervisors will asses your work
• Student Assessment: How you will assess students' learning and your own effectiveness as a teacher
• Student Self Assessment: How students will participate in the assessment process

These are all very important elements to take into consideration as an educator. Properly assessing all areas is crucial to any lesson plan and curriculum. The ability to engage in self reflection is a crucial skill for any teacher. If we can not evaluate ourselves and the effectiveness of our own teaching methods than it is nearly impossible to ever approve upon them. Technology can help new teachers with this ordeal in two ways: as part of projects that show evaluators your skills as an educator, and through tools that evaluate what the students learn and are able to do. Technology offers great support to teachers when it comes to all forms of assessment. 

Photo credit to: Bunches and Bits using Flickr

An important thing to do as a new teacher, knowing that you will be evaluated throughout your career, is developing a digital teaching portfolio. A digital teaching portfolio is a collection of educational and professional materials stored in an electronic format. This is a great organizational tool that can showcase your growth and development over time as an educator. It can contain digital copies of paper materials but also fun multi media aspects such as video, picture, power point, and audio. It is a way to use all of the ideas and activities learned in the classroom, field experiences, summer work, and community volunteering while obtaining your teaching license. This is an impressive way to track who you are as an educator and a wonderful edition to any resume. Common elements found in most new teachers digital portfolios are:

• Resume
• Philosophy of Education and References
• Lesson or Unit Plans and Reflections
• Academic Courses and Research Experiences
• Teaching Experience 

Involving students in learning and assessment is a very important element in teaching. Letting the student in on what they get to learn is a wonderful way to keep them engaged. In many classrooms students do not get an option over the curriculum but developing a way that allows them to truly assess what they want to learn gives them a voice in the educational decision making. Schools and classrooms that push for this are know as "Democratic Schools" In democratic schools and classrooms input and involvement require teachers and students to engage in open and frank discussions about how their classroom operates. I think this is a wonderful idea because the teacher is still in control but it becomes clear to the students that he/she really cares about teaching them what they want to learn.  A mutual respect is formed and students becomes more engaged and participation becomes higher. I believe that all classrooms should model themselves from this. 

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Resources:

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.