Module+5+Week+8-9+Reflection


 * // How has technology impacted or changed your classroom assessment and evaluation? Has your data collection methodology changed with technology? If technology has not impacted your assessment and evaluation, what would you like to change? Discuss technology and your own productivity and professional practice. //**


 * //Description// **

====I think the easiest way that technology has impacted classroom assessment and evaluation is the use of Scantron sheets for my tests. This is a huge time saver for while grading and the machine marks the correct answer choice so the student can see where the mistake was made. It takes me a quite a while to grade tests anyways, but the Scantron sheets have really reduced my grading time especially in terms of multiple choice assessments. Our district has a policy of trying to make our tests look like the OAA Tests, and although I do not currently have a Social Studies OAA, my tests are still set up in the similar pattern. Any help I can get with technology is great appreciated. The introduction of an online grade book is truly a huge milestone for education. The amount of time that was needed to tabulate grades and record scores with the old paper and pencil method was truly astounding. I know of a couple of teachers who still record their information on paper and on Progress Book, but those numbers are dwindling. The ability for parents to know grades as they happen is truly amazing. Our district is also lucky enough to have the "clickers" for classroom use which are great in many ways. I have not used them this year, but I did exclusively last year. They are very useful and I think the kids like using them. I am concerned about the ability to cheat using them with our current format. I think I would need to spread out my desks to make this more effective.====


 * //Impact// **

==== I think the clickers and Progress Book are great for students because of the ease of use and the immediacy of feedback. In some ways I always question the speed of our society, simply because students do not seem to have patience to wait for grades. I know they are always anxious to get test grades from me but I always make the students wait at least three days before they can see their tests, and this is mind-boggling to them. They are spoiled with one of our teachers who is able to grade his tests in a matter of minutes, but he also has 40 years of experience. But getting back to the positive impact of these technologies is it puts students and also parents in the driver's seat. Progress Book also both students and parents to check grades, assignments, upcoming test dates, and even the ability to find assignments online. By providing the information in one spot parents can easily question their children and the kids will then have no excuses. The clickers, on the other hand, provide so much more for student feedback. We have a class at the end of the day that is used primarily as test prep, and I like to use those clickers at that time. Because the class is only 20 minutes long it gives me an opportunity to create a quick lesson and get quick scores for immediate feedback. I even offer bonus points for anyone who gets a 100%. The kids seem very interested in the results, especially because the scores are created so quickly. Our software even has little icons to make the assignment more amusing like little timers or correct answer indicators. Again I think this is only the beginning. Eventually every class will be found online. I really do see schools going to a paperless or at least an almost paperless format. These tools help facilitate that movement. ====


 * //Intent// **

====I think the obvious intent of technologies with assessment and evaluation is to create an atmosphere of accountability for students and parents. These tools help put the students in charge of their own education. These technologies also allow teachers to have a little more time to complete classroom work because they help cut down time spent either on grading or tabulating grades. This can allow teachers more time to plan better lessons or improvements to their classroom, perhaps improvements of the technology variety.====