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| Reflection Standard 4 | ||||
| Using technology in the assessment stage of student activities is a valuable and efficient way to evaluate students.� I began trying to incorporate technology in the assessment of students when I began this program.� The hardest part about integrating technology within the curriculum has been using it effectively as an assessment tool.� As with many teachers, it has taken me a little time to become comfortable with using the computer, video, Internet and other forms of technology within my teaching.� After being in the program for the past two years I have gained so much knowledge that I am now one of the more experienced people in my building.� I now feel comfortable using it as an assessment tool.� For instance, this past year I taught my students how to use PowerPoint.� Throughout the year students were encouraged to use the program to create culminating activities for various units in different curriculums.� When we were studying the Midwestern United States many students used the program to help show what they learned.� It ended up being a great way to evaluate the student on what they had learned.� They were attractive, creative, and showed breadth of knowledge.� Using the technology made the assessment authentic and motivating.� | ||||
| We have also used Excel to gather information throughout the year.� In science and in social studies we study aspects of climate and weather.� We chart weather information such as high and low temperature, rainfall, and humidity for Livingston and other cities throughout the United States.� Students charted the information and then drew their own graphs to display and study the information.� In hindsight I should have had the students create their graphs directly on Excel.� They could have then interpreted and analyzed the information right there.� I think spending a little more time in the beginning of the year exploring and learning the program with students will help us later on in the year use it most effectively. | ||||
| In addition to technology, rubrics and checklists have helped in the assessment of students.� Whenever I have students working on a project I try to incorporate a rubric to help outline my expectations.� Students have benefited because they take the guess work out of completing these assignment.� Students know exactly what they need to do in order to achieve the score that they want to.� Assessing many types of activities including those that include technology checklists and rubrics are the way to get the best out of your students.� | ||||
| On the elementary level in my school district we do not use Grade Quick or any other software program for gather and compiling student grades.� The individual teachers are able to gather this information as they feel works best for them (except for 4th and 5th grade math).�� This is great because it allows you to be flexible and to use the system that works for you, like the computer or handwritten grade book.� Two years ago I started using Excel and found out how easy it can be to gather the grades and convert them into averages.� I've tried to encourage those in my school to do it on the computer, but many of them refuse to.� I remember spending hours finding the averages using a calculator, double checking, finding mistakes. Technology has made the end of the marking period relatively stress free. | ||||
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