I think the majority of teachers today would disagree that tests are the only objective assessment of student learning. Teachers have state standards and testing shoved down their throat 24-7. They are under so much pressure for students to perform on state tests that sometimes the "fun" is taken out of learning. Of course, standardized tests are not the only tests students are faced with. Teachers prepare tests all through the school year that are similar to state tests as added practice and remediation for students. Many factors can play a part in how students perform on tests that can drastically change the accuracy of the students' knowledge. Student behavior and home life definitely factor in. What kind of day the student is having can also make a difference. It is simply not fair to base a students' assessment on tests alone.
Although multiple-choice tests or standardized tests may be easier for teachers to use as assessments, they should not be the only means available to students to demonstrate their knowledge. Allowing students to create portfolios and do demonstrations are great ways for them to show what they have learned. Technology opens the door for students to create so many presentations and documents that are also fun to do. Students will work harder if they enjoy what they are doing. Using rubrics and allowing students to do self assessments and peer evaluations are also alternative ways for students to demonstrate knowledge. Teachers need to be creative in how they assess student learning. It may take more time and effort but the students will greatly appreciate it.
In a technology-infused classroom the teacher takes on the role of facilitator. The classroom becomes student-centered and more inquiry-based learning takes place. The teacher facilitates collaboration and students are able to develop real world skills. When infusing technology into the curriculum, it is important that teachers keep state standards aligned with the lessons. The students will begin to enjoy the lessons more and become more creative. The possibility of students multi-tasking is now an easy option. Students will begin to converse with the teacher more and offer ideas on how they would like to use and create with technology in the classroom. Learning becomes exciting for them and they begin to see a purpose for topics they might have brushed off in the past. Students become more responsible in the classroom.
If you are "old school" and reluctant to use technology in your classroom, start small. Of course the extent to which you can incorporate technology is based on what is available to you at your school. Most schools have at least one lab or several computers in a classroom to work with. Assign a writing project and let the students use Word to perform the steps in the writing process. Show them how to add clip art or page borders to the final project. There is an abundance of free interactive lessons available for the Smart board. If you have a Smart board, download some of these and let the students lead a discussion to introduce a new topic. PowerPoint is a fairly simple application for students and teachers. Let students create a digital story or slide show about a topic being covered in class. Web quests and scavenger hunts are also an excellent way to show students how to navigate through sites on the Internet and pull out only the important information needed for an assignment. Just take that leap and you will see your classroom start to transform and you will no longer only be "teaching" but also learning with your students.
In the past my students have created Power Points, documents in Publisher, used Excel to sort and edit data, used video and digital cameras, and have created web pages using HTML. We also use Word extensively in the classroom. This year I want to use an online learning environment tool and put all my lessons, requirements, communication, etc. online. The students will access the site for assignments, be able to attach documents, and create projects with other students from this site. I also want to set up an epal with a classroom somewhere for my students to communicate with throughout the school year. I want to show them how to use some of the free software and sites available on the Internet like Google Documents and Skype. I'm learning so much about so many options out there that are free to my classroom through my technology classes. Even though I use technology everyday in my classroom, I hope to open the door to new applications and technologies that are available and learn each day with my students about how to use them in our everyday life.
