“Assessment is the process of gathering and analyzing data to determine if intended learning outcomes have been achieved.” (Page 219, par. 3) We use assessment activities as a way to determine where students are struggling and where they are excelling. We use them as a way to adjust our teaching so that the students learn better. By using technology to assess our students, we can look at the outcomes in several different ways. Having multiple ways to assess students, we gain a more inclusive picture of how well the students are learning. Technology offers more ways to assess the students’ meaningful learning of the material. Perhaps the most important aspect of technology-based assessment is that it provides teachers with a way to know what the students know. When teachers know and understand that information, we can help them to know and learn more, and to learn on a higher level.
“E-portfolios are a collection of digitized artifacts that may include video clips, graphics, sound, writing samples, artwork, and multimedia presentations, to name a few. Taken together, they can represent the accomplishments of an individual or group of learners (Lorenzo & Ittelson, 2005)” (Page 220, par. 2) E-portfolios help the students organize and display their work in a way that makes it attractive and easy to view. They help teachers assess the students learning while also assessing their work. E-portfolios are extremely useful in assessing almost any learning outcome. Computer-based testing has traditionally been used to simplify the testing process for teachers and administrators. The student uses a computer to take a test versus the traditional paper version. “…students are passive recipients of what is being shown on the computer screen.” (Page 236, par. 3) Based on my personal experience, computer-based tests don’t serve any greater purpose than simplifying the grading process for teachers. It is not engaging. In fact, it is rather boring. In a way, computer-based testing does impact validity because there is always the possibility of errors in grading or reading the answer the student inputs. Reliability is also affected because there is the possibility of the computer crashing, or other unexpected incidents that could interrupt the testing process.
Personally, I believe assessment is a necessary component of education. It does and always will serve as a way for teachers to assess their teaching and to improve their students learning. Integrating technology into the assessment process can be a good thing, if the technology is implemented correctly. Computer-based testing does integrate technology, however, not in the best way. Simply using the computer to take the same test that would be printed on paper, is not a great way to use technology for assessment. While using the computer saves paper and grading time for the teachers, it does the students no good. I am a fan of e-portfolios because they allow the student to display their work in a way that is creative and fun while also making it easier for the teacher to assess their learning. Using technology-based assessment could help to allow teachers to improve upon their students learning.
Jonassen, DJ, Howland, JH, Marra, RM, & Crismond, DC (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson.
Jonassen, DJ, Howland, JH, Marra, RM, & Crismond, DC (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson.
Inline Citation: Lorenzo & Ittelson, 2005
