Objective Assessments of Student Learning

Teaching to the test seems to be the talk of many schools now days. The push to having your students make AYP and bring up their scores from the previous years is the overall goal when it comes to education. To figure out if AYP was met or if your students made gain on their scores, all students have to take standardized tests. Many people involved in education think this is the only way to truly show the progress a student or school has made. I, on the other hand, think that tests are not even close to the only assessment that shows student learning and how well a student or school has done. How can you use one type of test to truly measure progress when you have students using all different types of learning styles to achieve their greatness?

            Tests are not altered to a student who is a reading below grade level or a student who is struggling understanding math concepts at their current grade level. As educators we have to teach students on the level they understand, if we want to see growth. They do need to see grade level material; but if they are being instructed below their actual grade level, then those students should be tested at that level. But standardized tests don’t make this happen, if you are in 3^rd grade, you are tested at 3^rd grade no matter what.

            There are so many different ways to assess children and truly see the progress they are making. For example, you could do a group project that shows social skills that students are developing, an e-portfolio that shows the student’s artifacts and progress, teacher observations as students are using strategies to solve problems that show their understanding, and the list for assessments goes on and on. Testing is one of many different types of assessment that truly shows a student’s learning.

Youtube Video: Are exams the best form of assessment?

    http://youtu.be/C-Y9mST4m5k

Technology Infused Classroom

 

When walking into a technology-infused classroom you should see technology everywhere.  Students are working on computers (computer for every 2-3 students), the teacher has own computer she/he is working on.  A Smart Board or interactive board is being used along with a projector during lessons.  Students from all angles can see the board and are interactively involved in the lesson.  Smart Board clickers/responders are being used when appropriate for students to chime in on the lesson.

For my classroom, I plan to use all the technology my school provides me with. My students will be involved as much as possible on the computers and be using the given technology right along with me. My students will be able to help teach lessons by showing their examples up on the "Elmo," as well as teacher-created examples. The students and I will all be familiar and proficient with the technology that is in the classroom and how to use it. While students are responding to questions, they can use the surround system's microphone to make sure all can hear their answers. As I am teaching, I will be wearing the other microphone that comes along with the system, so students can hear what I am saying as well. Technology will only enhance my teaching experience, and not hinder it.