The link to the online assessment tool that was created is www.socrative.com. Once on the site, click on student login then type in the Room Code: JRYFYTDW to take the assessment. The assessment is set up to give the correct answer and an explanation of the correct or wrong answer after the question has been answered. As the students are taking the quiz, the teacher is able to either view or hide the results of the test as it is being taken. Through Socrative, the teacher can create a quick quiz at that very moment by asking questions that the entire class can answer; therefore, allowing the teacher to see how much the students understand the assignment. This assessment can be used as a formative and a summative. Not only will there will be a list of true and false questions, multiple choice questions, and some short answer questions, there are immediate results allowing the teachers to see what is understand by the students and what the students are having the hardest time understanding. Socrative can be used on web-based devices via apps, such as the Chrome, Windows, Apple (iOS), and Kindle.
Part 2: Blog Post
Introduction
Assessments is a term that many school teachers of this century are using. What does assessment mean? Assessment is “any method used to understand the current knowledge a student possesses; it can range from a teacher’s subjective judgment based on a single observation of a student’s performance to a state-mandated standardized test”. (Gunter & Gunter, 2013). These kind of assessments can be used through the help of technology as a faster way to gather that information. Technology can be used to facilitate learning through softwares such as AnswerGarden, Mentimeter, and Quizlet, by giving formative and summative assessments, realizing the advantages and its disadvantages, knowing if teachers should only use technology, and the connection to ISTE Standards.
Technology to Facilitate Ongoing Efforts to Assess Student Learning
There are great new ways for teachers to facilitate the ongoing efforts to assess student learning. That great new way is through the use of technology because students can share their work online, receive instant online feedback from the teachers and the teachers getting student feedback on assignments. It can be done on the computers, tablets, Laptops, smartphones and other web-based devices and apps. Teachers can also use these technologies to assess student learning by “promoting asynchronous student social support and reduce student isolation; to provide a platform for collaboration and co-empowerment beyond the campus- based, traditional classroom; and to facilitate student information- sharing and communication.” (Johansen, & Ornelas, 2012) To evaluate the student learning, teachers are using online assessments. “Assessments is an ongoing and continuous process with the major goals of understanding and improving student learning and instruction.” (Hussain, Azeem, Nawaz, & Mehmood, 2011). Here are three technology software tools that can be utilized to facilitate student learning:
AnswerGarden This software can be used by teachers to in establishing knowledge levels of the class on specific topics. Teachers can use it on blogs or websites that was created for the students learnings. The teachers and students can use this software on computers or by an iPad app. AnswerGarden provides the teachers with quick print outs to give to the class.
Mentimeter Teachers are able to use this software to assess student learning through the use of student involvements in class discussions, allowing for an increase in the effectiveness and efficiency in collaborating, complex data, and constructive discussions. This will allow those students that are shy to talk in front of the class, to ask questions without criticism from other peers. In explanation of this, teachers may have students read a short story, ask questions through Mentimeter based on that story with choices to vote on, allowing the teacher to have an understanding to what the students are comprehending from the reading.
Quizlet This easy and convenient software can be used by teachers to assess student learning by creating powerful online study guides, create games, and quizzes based on the assignment. Quizlet allows the teachers to track the student’s activities, and the progress students are making on the assignments over time. The students can use this software on their tablets and smartphones anytime. Students can also use this software to study on their own or as a class group. One way of teachers using this tool is to create a study guide with vocabulary words and creating a game with those vocabulary words making a fun way of studying.
Formative and Summative Assessments
There are differences between the two types of assessments. A formative assessment “requires evaluation of student learning outcomes several times during a semester and facilitates the evaluation of different content areas, skills, and the progress of learning within specific knowledge domains.” (Perera-Diltz, 2014 p.131) A summative assessment is the “process of evaluating the students learning at any given point in time.” Gunter & Gunter, 2014, p. 320) The above software tools, AnswerGarden and Mentimeter can be utilized by teachers as a formative assessment because it helps the teacher to see if the students are understanding through poll questions and then getting quick feedback. Quizlet can be utilized as both formative and summative assessment because teachers can create quizzes at that moment to know how much understanding of the lesson that has been and is being taught. It is best for teachers to utilize both formative assessments and summative assessments.
Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Assessment
Online assessments was created as a way to help the teachers to be organized with class assignments without going through so many papers and folders, and it seem to save on time and space in the classroom. Although this is great for the teachers, there are some possible advantages and possible disadvantages in using technology to facilitate assessment. The advantages teachers has in facilitating assessments through the use of technology is “taking test become flexible in terms of place and time, feedback provided with expectations, it reduces costs of printing and copying, students can assess their knowledge as frequently as they need (Born, 2003)” (Rastgoo & Namvar, 2010). Some disadvantages that will be encountered for to teachers using technology to facilitate assessment is
“Preparing test can be time consuming, technology investment including hardware, software, and training could be costly to an educational institution, and the instructor does not have control of testing environment where students are allowed to take a test anytime and anywhere. Disconnecting is a big problem while taking a test (Born, 2003)” (Rastgoo & Namvar, 2010).
Teachers must be aware of the advantages and disadvantages to using technologies to facilitate assessments. It is a fast and easy way to help understand the level of learning with the students.
Teachers only using technology
A teacher should not only use technology to assess students learning. With the use of technology at any given time there could be a lost for power or some sort of technical difficulties with the systems allowing for the students to use old school pencil and paper. When a teacher has the students to utilize paper and pencil when learning, it helps the students in note taking giving them a chance to do hands-on. Paper and pencil is one of the best tool to have in learning.
Connection of ISTE standards and Assessment Technology
The importance of assessment technology and its connection with the ISTE Standards is that teachers can “use technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.” (ISTE, 2000)
Conclusion
There are so many types of softwares that teachers can utilize to facilitate learning. AnswerGarden , Mentimeter, and Quizlet are a few software tools that can be used as a starter for getting to know how much students are understanding and learning from the lessons. Formative and Summative assessments are assessments that gives the teachers the information from those softwares. An advantage for teachers using these online assessments is getting rapid feedback and a disadvantage is not having control over the testing environments. Instead of only using technology to facilitate learning, it is always best to keep paper and pencil available for the students to use. There is an important connection with the ISTE Standards with improving instructional practice and maximizing student learning to assessment technology. Technology has become a great impact on teachers and students.
References
Dyer, K. (2014). 33 Digital Tools for Advancing Formative Assessment in the Classroom. Retrieved from https://www.nwea.org/blog/2014/33-digital-tools-advancing-formative-assessment-classroom/#sthash.fF1FpoWc.dpuf
Gunter, G. A. & Gunter, R. E. (2014). Teachers discovering computers: Integrating technology in a changing world. (8ed) Retrieved from http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/cengage/2014/teachers-discovering-computers_integrating-technology-in-a-changing-world_ebook_8e.php
Hussain, A., Azeem, M., Nawaz, S., & Mehmood, A. (2011). Assessment Model: How to Assess Students' Learning? International Journal of Science in Society, 2(4), 85-97.
Standards for Students, (2007) International Society for Technology in Education. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-students
Standards for Teachers, (2000). ISTE National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets_for_teachers_2000.pdf
Johansen, P., & Ornelas, V. (2012). Online Learning Communities: Using Technology to Facilitate Student Communication, Collaboration, and Support. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, 1723-38.
Perera-Diltz, D. M., & Moe, J. L. (2014). Formative and Summative Assessment in Online Education. Journal Of Research In Innovative Teaching, 7(1), 130-142.
Rastgoo, A., & Namvar, Y. (2010). Assessment Approaches in Virtual Learning. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education (TOJDE), 11(1), 42-48.
Part 2: Blog Post
Introduction
Assessments is a term that many school teachers of this century are using. What does assessment mean? Assessment is “any method used to understand the current knowledge a student possesses; it can range from a teacher’s subjective judgment based on a single observation of a student’s performance to a state-mandated standardized test”. (Gunter & Gunter, 2013). These kind of assessments can be used through the help of technology as a faster way to gather that information. Technology can be used to facilitate learning through softwares such as AnswerGarden, Mentimeter, and Quizlet, by giving formative and summative assessments, realizing the advantages and its disadvantages, knowing if teachers should only use technology, and the connection to ISTE Standards.
Technology to Facilitate Ongoing Efforts to Assess Student Learning
There are great new ways for teachers to facilitate the ongoing efforts to assess student learning. That great new way is through the use of technology because students can share their work online, receive instant online feedback from the teachers and the teachers getting student feedback on assignments. It can be done on the computers, tablets, Laptops, smartphones and other web-based devices and apps. Teachers can also use these technologies to assess student learning by “promoting asynchronous student social support and reduce student isolation; to provide a platform for collaboration and co-empowerment beyond the campus- based, traditional classroom; and to facilitate student information- sharing and communication.” (Johansen, & Ornelas, 2012) To evaluate the student learning, teachers are using online assessments. “Assessments is an ongoing and continuous process with the major goals of understanding and improving student learning and instruction.” (Hussain, Azeem, Nawaz, & Mehmood, 2011). Here are three technology software tools that can be utilized to facilitate student learning:
AnswerGarden This software can be used by teachers to in establishing knowledge levels of the class on specific topics. Teachers can use it on blogs or websites that was created for the students learnings. The teachers and students can use this software on computers or by an iPad app. AnswerGarden provides the teachers with quick print outs to give to the class.
Mentimeter Teachers are able to use this software to assess student learning through the use of student involvements in class discussions, allowing for an increase in the effectiveness and efficiency in collaborating, complex data, and constructive discussions. This will allow those students that are shy to talk in front of the class, to ask questions without criticism from other peers. In explanation of this, teachers may have students read a short story, ask questions through Mentimeter based on that story with choices to vote on, allowing the teacher to have an understanding to what the students are comprehending from the reading.
Quizlet This easy and convenient software can be used by teachers to assess student learning by creating powerful online study guides, create games, and quizzes based on the assignment. Quizlet allows the teachers to track the student’s activities, and the progress students are making on the assignments over time. The students can use this software on their tablets and smartphones anytime. Students can also use this software to study on their own or as a class group. One way of teachers using this tool is to create a study guide with vocabulary words and creating a game with those vocabulary words making a fun way of studying.
Formative and Summative Assessments
There are differences between the two types of assessments. A formative assessment “requires evaluation of student learning outcomes several times during a semester and facilitates the evaluation of different content areas, skills, and the progress of learning within specific knowledge domains.” (Perera-Diltz, 2014 p.131) A summative assessment is the “process of evaluating the students learning at any given point in time.” Gunter & Gunter, 2014, p. 320) The above software tools, AnswerGarden and Mentimeter can be utilized by teachers as a formative assessment because it helps the teacher to see if the students are understanding through poll questions and then getting quick feedback. Quizlet can be utilized as both formative and summative assessment because teachers can create quizzes at that moment to know how much understanding of the lesson that has been and is being taught. It is best for teachers to utilize both formative assessments and summative assessments.
Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Assessment
Online assessments was created as a way to help the teachers to be organized with class assignments without going through so many papers and folders, and it seem to save on time and space in the classroom. Although this is great for the teachers, there are some possible advantages and possible disadvantages in using technology to facilitate assessment. The advantages teachers has in facilitating assessments through the use of technology is “taking test become flexible in terms of place and time, feedback provided with expectations, it reduces costs of printing and copying, students can assess their knowledge as frequently as they need (Born, 2003)” (Rastgoo & Namvar, 2010). Some disadvantages that will be encountered for to teachers using technology to facilitate assessment is
“Preparing test can be time consuming, technology investment including hardware, software, and training could be costly to an educational institution, and the instructor does not have control of testing environment where students are allowed to take a test anytime and anywhere. Disconnecting is a big problem while taking a test (Born, 2003)” (Rastgoo & Namvar, 2010).
Teachers must be aware of the advantages and disadvantages to using technologies to facilitate assessments. It is a fast and easy way to help understand the level of learning with the students.
Teachers only using technology
A teacher should not only use technology to assess students learning. With the use of technology at any given time there could be a lost for power or some sort of technical difficulties with the systems allowing for the students to use old school pencil and paper. When a teacher has the students to utilize paper and pencil when learning, it helps the students in note taking giving them a chance to do hands-on. Paper and pencil is one of the best tool to have in learning.
Connection of ISTE standards and Assessment Technology
The importance of assessment technology and its connection with the ISTE Standards is that teachers can “use technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.” (ISTE, 2000)
Conclusion
There are so many types of softwares that teachers can utilize to facilitate learning. AnswerGarden , Mentimeter, and Quizlet are a few software tools that can be used as a starter for getting to know how much students are understanding and learning from the lessons. Formative and Summative assessments are assessments that gives the teachers the information from those softwares. An advantage for teachers using these online assessments is getting rapid feedback and a disadvantage is not having control over the testing environments. Instead of only using technology to facilitate learning, it is always best to keep paper and pencil available for the students to use. There is an important connection with the ISTE Standards with improving instructional practice and maximizing student learning to assessment technology. Technology has become a great impact on teachers and students.
References
Dyer, K. (2014). 33 Digital Tools for Advancing Formative Assessment in the Classroom. Retrieved from https://www.nwea.org/blog/2014/33-digital-tools-advancing-formative-assessment-classroom/#sthash.fF1FpoWc.dpuf
Gunter, G. A. & Gunter, R. E. (2014). Teachers discovering computers: Integrating technology in a changing world. (8ed) Retrieved from http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/cengage/2014/teachers-discovering-computers_integrating-technology-in-a-changing-world_ebook_8e.php
Hussain, A., Azeem, M., Nawaz, S., & Mehmood, A. (2011). Assessment Model: How to Assess Students' Learning? International Journal of Science in Society, 2(4), 85-97.
Standards for Students, (2007) International Society for Technology in Education. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-students
Standards for Teachers, (2000). ISTE National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets_for_teachers_2000.pdf
Johansen, P., & Ornelas, V. (2012). Online Learning Communities: Using Technology to Facilitate Student Communication, Collaboration, and Support. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, 1723-38.
Perera-Diltz, D. M., & Moe, J. L. (2014). Formative and Summative Assessment in Online Education. Journal Of Research In Innovative Teaching, 7(1), 130-142.
Rastgoo, A., & Namvar, Y. (2010). Assessment Approaches in Virtual Learning. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education (TOJDE), 11(1), 42-48.