Utilizing New Techniques for Assessment

Why do you use assessment activities? How do you assessment activities as a way to generate feedback that can improve learner performances?

Assessments are used to check for understanding and growth.  Basically, assessments provide students an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned over the course of a lesson, unit, semester, or year.  Teachers can use the data gained through assessment to evaluate and analyze the strengths and weaknesses in a specific unit, from both the perspective of an educator and of a student.  Assessment data can highlight areas where the class as a whole just did not “get it.”  The teacher could then use this information to reformat the lesson in order to reach students.  In the same way, assessments highlight the successes as well.
What is e-portfolio? How does it help teachers and students? What are computer-based tests? Does the use of computer-based tests impact validity and reliability?

An e-portfolio is “a collection of digitized artifacts that could include video clips, graphics, sounds, or documents,” that can demonstrate and reflect on what an individual has learned over a specific period of time.  E-portfolios provide a different means of assessment.  Much like notebooks and projects that students hand in to their teacher, e-portfolios allow students to think and work outside the box in ways that allow students to apply their learning instead of simply parroting memorized facts.  Computer-based tests are exactly what they sound like.  They are tests completed on or scored by a computer.  As long as computer-based tests match up with the curriculum presented to students in a unit of learning, I do not think computer-based tests impact validity and reliability too much.  However, if students are not used to taking tests on the computer, time management could be an issue.  This can be especially true on tests that require a composed response or problems that require scratch paper. 

Conclusion:

I really appreciated this chapter because it is important for teachers to think outside the box when it comes to assessment.  As we all know, standardized testing is not always the best way to gauge student performance and understanding.  High stakes testing has led to a rash of test anxiety and pressure for all tests.  By utilizing such methods as discussed in the chapter, I am now better equipped to gain a more accurate view of my students’ learning through assessment.  Tools such as e-portfolios allow student to apply and synthesize the knowledge they have gained throughout a unit.  Any opportunity to apply higher order thinking skills should be capitalized on in the classroom.  


Citation:   
Jonassen, David, Howland, Jane, Marra, Rose, and Crismond, David. (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology. 217-39. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall