Are Tests the Only Way to Assess Student Learning?

Education is all about learning. Teaching people how to read, spell, write and compute mathematic equations is what the system is all about.  Once those skills and knowledge are taught and then learned by students, an assessment is given to determine what the student has retained.

When I talk about assessment, I know of the kind where the teacher gives a weekly test and/or pop quiz to know if the students have learned the required information.  These types of assessments have allowed the teacher to guage their level and method of instruction as well as give the student feedback as to whether they know the material.  Then there is the end of unit test; this a cumulative assessment where the teacher evaluates how the student has progressed since the beginning of the unit.  Then we have the standardized test; the test which measures how the student has progressed from the beginning of the school year until mid-year or even end of year. (contingent on time administered)

For a long time and even still today, many educators and education administrators believe that these various tests are ideal and adequate methods to measure gain of knowledge and skills in students.  However, as the times are changing and research talks about the type of learner a child is, tests should not be only tool used to assess learning.

Teachers assign projects and with those projects comes a level of work that should be closely looked at when grading.  Teachers can take projects created by students using PowerPoint, Prezi, Excel, iMovie, and other technology and assess the student's level of learning.  Since students put a lot of time, effort, and enrgy into creating these projects, there is representation of the student learning the knowledge and skills that are required.  Another assessment tool that is great are oral presentations.  The student must be able to stand in front of their peers and fluently present information on a topic that has been studied.  The teacher can assess the student for accuracy of information, fluency, and planning by using an outline.

With all the different ways to assess students, it is time to think about the type of learner that is  in the classroom and what assessment works best for the information that is being taught to the student.

Can I Have a Technology-Infused Classroom?

Okay, so as I become more technology literate, I'm learning that I will need to pass it on to my 21st century students.  This is the challenge that not only I but every teacher in America is faced with today.  How do I effectively use technology in my classroom?

For starters, I would need working technology in my classroom, even on my campus.  Unfortunately, while school administrators are talking about keeping our students in the race for a quality education that will lead to higher ed and great jobs; they're missing a few key components. Schools should be adequately equipped and wired to house computers, laptops, printers, tablets, SmartBoards, etc.  Then there needs to be REQUIRED professional development for teachers to use the technology.

Not wanting to sound like a bitter, frustrated individual (which I am temporarily) I am at the crossroads for having a technology-infused classroom.  The reason why I may not have a technology-infused classroom is becasue of budget restrictions.  I will have a laptop and projector plus the computer I use for grading, attendance, and other classkeeping essentials. Then that's it!

So teaching in the 21st century is looking different; students are connected to technology 24/7; teachers can not keep up with the fast-pace, everchanging technology; and only high-performing schools are given the latest technology to use in the classroom.

Back to the subject at hand: my "dream" technology-infused classroom would have 6 computer stations, 10 laptops, a document camera, SmartBoard, and projector.  With these essential technology tools, I can have my students actively participate in lessons through creation of stories, podcasts, and videos. Using a SmartBoard, I can project lessons on the board and ask my students to show what the solution would be to a story. They can also work on writing sentences correctly and spelling vocabulary as well.  Plus with all of this technology, there is a plethora of web resources or "tools" that can be used with the technology.

So here's to a society where technology will be made available to all students and teachers will having the proper training to maintain and teach.

Visual Literacy: What Do Children Learn?

Visual Literacy is the way which we can decipher a story by looking at pictures, signs, videos or listening to audio by using higher-order thinking skills. Having the ability to do this lets the student figure out on their own what is the reasonable conclusion.  When teachers use PowerPoint, YouTube, Prezi, and other forms of technology and media they are showing students how to think above and beyond the box.  This is a time when the teacher must take into consideration how much the internet is going to be utilized in the classroom. The teacher can plan lessons that combine lecture and internet but remember that the students need to continue to grasp the fundamentals as outlined by the state and school district.

Students can listen to audio to figure out what the meaning of the story is; how the narrator may look and feel; what caused the audio to be created.  Looking at pictures in a series allows students to tell the story in their own words.  Visual Literacy overall allows for students to ask questions that they may not have thought to ask before viewing.  Visual Literacy is different from the teacher lecturing because it creates an environment for engagment where students are having discussions among themselves and learning how to be socially strong.  Also with Visual Literacy, the teacher  is using student-centered strategy that allows for students to formulate questions and scenarios related to what they have seen.  It also ignites the excitement for wanting to learn more through research.

In order to allow for students to research and create their own visual literacy project, it will require using the internet in a productive manner.  With many lessons now moving from traditional pen, paper; it is important to explain the expectations for creating projects and doing research using the internet.  The teacher can do this in various formats from using multimedia presentations (PowerPoint,Prezi,Linoit) to sharing the expectations in posters using Glogster, Wordle, etc.

The use of these technology tools will not only play an important part in illustrating how to do the project but it will also serve as an example of what the student project can look like.  This is not to say that the teacher ceases to give instruction but when you give lessons with graphics, audio, still photography, you will have students who are more eager to learn and look forward to working on the assignment/project.

Technology and the Myriad of Learning Strategies

We have looked at this week how technology affects the 21st century learner based on their learning style. Most of  us are familiar with being a person who learns by either seeing, touching, or hearing.  According to many researchers, most people are a combination of all three.  However, in the classroom, there is a lot to be said when one must create lessons that not only embrace all students but includes technology.

It is important that as teachers integrate technology in the classroom they ensure that all students are able to understand and know how to properly use whatever the media given is.  When you think of instructional strategies that are used they are based on not only how the student learns but how the instruction is delivered.  A teacher has to consider how their students will respond to the lesson and its corresponding assignment.  When you factor in technology, the teacher has to be think about how to present it for all students to be able to use: whether your have self-directed or small group.

There must be instruction that is given for all students to know how to appropriately use the technology that is required for the assignment.  Lessons are created to meet the needs of every learner, at whatever level they may be.  When using technology the same theory applies.  Sometimes, this will not work where every student understands and knows the expectations of completing the assignment.  It is important that the teacher recognizes through assessment of early, small assignments what students can be utilized as peer tutors or group leaders.

If lessons are taught correctly; meeting and reaching all learners then students will be engaged, taught think critically, and how to apply technology to what they have learned.

I Can't Believe I'm Blogging!

Hello!

Welcome to my introductory blog.  I am a Graduate student attending Grand Canyon University. I live in the great, big state of Texas!  I am studying technology and it's impact on education.  Well, you can say that I will be learning how to use technology in the classroom to further educate the children of today and tomorrow. So in many ways I'm learning how technology is shaping education and what teachers, principals, and parents can do to ensure their child (ren) is successful at utilizing technology and its many benefits.

Stay tuned for my various opinions and discoveries on this subject!