ISTE+Standard+IV

As a technology leader on my campus with the hope of becoming a facilitator or coordinator someday, it is imperative that to understand how to assess students electronically by using technology. Technology facilitators should, "model the use of technology tools to assess student learning of subject matter using a variety of assessment techniques" (Williamson, J., & Redish, T., 2009). As I have worked through this program and collected hours, one of the things I decided to try was creating online tests. I created an exam using basic Google docs tools and made several tests for our Social Studies department. As I finished each test, I sent the links to my colleagues and we all used these assessments to supplement our normal (pen and paper) tests. I think the students enjoy the online version better because, even though they are testing, using a computer makes it seem a bit less daunting. Students need to learn about taking online exams because they are being used more and more in colleges, in online programs, and other institutions. Learning how to work through a test and how to submit assessments electronically will be excellent practice for our students as they leave the comforts of academia and get sent out to the "real world". The job place is changing for just about everyone and being comfortable with online resources, exams, and tools is a skill that all students should learn in public schools.

Across the nation, there is debate about which direction schools will be taking. Integrating technology is in just about every conversation. At a school level, priorities must be established if anyone expects lasting improvement (Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J., 2010). Obviously these priorities will be slightly different at every campus, but using technology for assessments has to be one of the obvious conclusions. Whether we are testing students online, or disaggregating data that has been posted for teachers, technology must be prominent. My district uses a program called "Eduphoria" to record, disaggregate, and share data. This data can be accessed on campus, or remotely online. This tool is vital for teachers to prepare lessons and assessments that will challenge the minds of our students. Work can now be done at home when it is convenient, so teachers that have to pick up children or have other responsibilities do not have to stay on campus for hours before or after school. This program is also making it simpler to create cross-curricular lessons. Peter Westwood implies that we should help students learn history by drawing reference from literature, historical evidence and making connections to the historical communities (Westwood, 2006). This idea cross curriculum applies to technlogy as well. Subjects are no longer being taught effectively in a vacuum. Subjects need to relate to one another to build prior knowledge for students. Because so many students are comfortable using the internet on computer, it makes sense that they would be comfortable taking online tests. Technology is revolutionizing many fields, and education is no exception. Both of my parents were teachers and the improvements that have been made through technology integration have been amazing. It is almost laughable to hear about how had to make test copies using a press that got ink everywhere and that had to be cranked manually. In the 1970's it would be laughable to think that students would one day be able to take a test without using a pen or pencil, and that same test could be taken anywhere in the world. I still cannot believe how much technology has changed since I was in school 11 years ago.

References:

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education, Inc.

Westwood, P. (2006). //Teaching and learning difficulties: Cross-curricular perspectives//. Camberwell, Victoria: Australian Council for Educational Research, Ltd.

Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). //ISTE’s 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.