Measurements of Student Learning

While tests are great ways to measure student learning, they are certainly not the only way to do so.  There are many assessment tools that teachers can use within the classroom in place of traditional tests.  Examples of these tools include project based learning, portfolio assessment, and presentations.  These types of assessments will typically demonstrate the students’ depth of knowledge on a particular subject; whereas, a summative assessment will demonstrate mastery or lack thereof.

            

There are many ways in which technology can be incorporated into the assessment process.  Project Based Learning can be documented with photography and students can share their learning experiences via the World Wide Web.  Students can also create a portfolio to showcase their learning over a period of time.  The easiest way to create a digital portfolio is through an application such as Evernote that allows users to upload images, notes, videos, and an array of file types and share their works with others.  Through the use of software and applications such as Powerpoint, Prezi, and Powtoon students are able to synthesize their learning into multimedia presentations.  Although age-old summative assessments have their place in the classroom they are certainly not the only Way to measure student success. 

Techie Classroom

Our 21st Century students deserve lessons that are rich in 21st Century media.  The good news is that there are many medias to choose from.  While some subjects may be easier to find technology to infuse into lessons, all lessons can be enhanced through the use of technology.  As teachers, it is our duty to keep students up to date with as much current media as possible.  Even schools with tight budgets and limited technology can usually find ways to incorporate media in engaging manners. 

While I would already consider my classroom to be semi-rich in technology, there are still many types of media and technology that I would like to apply in my classroom in the future. On a daily basis, I use my smartboard, computer, slate, and projector as well as programs such as Powerpoint, Prezi, and web-based textbooks.  Last year, I had a student tell me that he liked my class because I was "always using technology."  He further stated that I "use technology more than any of his other teachers ever have."  It made me feel good to know that he enjoyed the technology based lessons. The high school I teach at is very low socio-economic status.  There are many students whom do not have access to a computer at home and there are even some that do not have much, if any, access to a smartphone.  Our technology resources are very limited within the school.  We have 2 computer labs available and a handful of laptops on a cart.  I refuse to let the lack of technology available stand between my students and them acquiring 21st Century technology skills. 

To remedy the lack of technology I am taking several steps.  I have written grants to receive new materials.  Last year I wrote three grants, two of these were technology related.  I wrote a grant for new scientific calculators so that I could have a classroom set that were all identical and I also wrote a grant for 8 Calculator Based Rangers from Texas Instruments.  I am excited to use the CBRs in my classroom this year!  In the meantime, I have been able to scrape up 3 computers that were not being used within the school.  They are now in my classroom.  I plan to use them for enrichment and remediation activities throughout the school year.  In addition, I will allow students to use my personal laptop, iPad, and my computer assigned to me by the school.  Furthermore, I was recently given a set of clickers that will work with my smartboard.  I plan to learn to use them so that students can give responses with them during test reviews.  Lastly, I am seeking a grant to request funds for a classroom set of Chromebooks.  Unfortunately, my largest class has 30 students making this an expensive purchase!

These are just a few ways that I plan to incorporate technology in my classroom.  

To see some of the possibilities with Chromebooks, check out the video below:

Visual Literacy and the Internet

Classrooms are comprised of learners whom often learn best in different ways.  I am an auditory learner which means that I learn best through hearing materials.  Some other learning styles include visual, kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and logical mathematical.  As teachers, it is important to create lessons that engage all learners.  One of the best ways to accomplish this is to differentiate instruction according to Gardner's Multiple Intelligences. 

Visual Literacy

According to the American Library Association, visual literacy is "a set of abilities that enables an individual to effectively find, interpret, evaluate, use, and create images and visual media."  As 21st Century Educators, we must prepare students for the technology they will face once they graduate. These skills are often put into practice by students in the classroom through internet based research projects and creating presentations using various technology platforms. 

One method that I plan to incorporate into my classroom this year is the Visual Thinking Strategy.  To accomplish this, I will display an image on the projector.  Students will be provided with time to think about the following questions:

• What is happening in the picture?
• What evidence do you see that makes you think that?
• What can we infer?

This strategy is designed to encourage students to ask more questions and justify their reasoning.  

Internet in the Classroom

The technology-infused classroom is comprised of students who are engaged in the use of technology to further their education.  While I often supplement my lessons with interactive web based games on the Smartboard and content related videos, this year I plan to utilize math rotations.  I should have enough computers available for all of my students to access them during rotations.  Within this time, I plan to provide targeted remediation and enrichment to students through a Learning Management System such as Schoology.  This will enable my class to begin to take a hybrid form which will enable learners to lead themselves through assignments.