Technology+Facilitator+Standard+4

Chapter 4 Assessment and Evaluation

TF/TL Standard IV highlights the unique and critical roles that instructional technologists must assume in area being skilled in assessment and evaluation. (Williamson & Redish, 2009) This chapter explains the importance of assessing our student learning and evaluating our teaching and learning. With the assistance of technology we are able to assess our students learning in core academic areas. Having this technology gives us the teachers the tools we need to break down each question by TEK this gives us the information we need to know what needs to be retaught. Now with Computer Based Testing or CBT we can quickly and effeciently identify areas that are to be assessed on tests and give frequent and immediate feedback to administrators, teachers, parents, and students on student performance. According to Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski (2007), feedback should be quick, specific, and guide students to the correct responses. CBT will help us to complete this task. This assesment should be ongoing and not wait until a unit is over. Teachers frequently fall back to tradtional ways of figuring out how well students have learned. (Solomon & Schrum, 2007) In my current position we use DMAC and other computer based programs to assess our students learning in core academic areas. I find it frustrating though that when we go in to look at our data we have so many difficulties viewing students data other than our homeroom class noone can give us a speicific answer on how to look that information up. They tell us that we need to find it on our own but yet they want our data right away. On my campus we still have the dilemma of training, but also the allocation of time and money. Our district does offer some training but it never seems like enough time is spent. It si usually just a quick walk throught of the basics and not in depth about the benefits that is has to offer. Teachers still need more training for effective use with the technology. I am unfamiliar about our technology literacy program, so this is one area that I see myself researching and working on. Teaching 5th grade I still have some students who are unsure of certain commands to be used in a computer program. I am unaware on how our students are assessed on their technology TEKS in our computer labs. At my son's school they send home a sheet every 6 weeks with the report card to show parents what they have been working on. I think this may be something that would beneift my campus. We need to be prepared to shape new strategies to assess student technology literacy. I do know that I will look at everything with a different point of view instead of just assuming that the students know what I am talking about or showing them. Knowing how important it is to have this collective data will now help me to see the importance of all the information to help all students succeed.

References: Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). Technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Introduction Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.O New Tools, New Schools. Eugene, Oregon: International Society for Technology in Education.