4. How have you applied a variety of strategies and educational technology tools to strengthen assessment in classrooms and schools? How might the involvement in the assessment process by families and other professionals be enhanced using technology?
During student teaching I never used computers. Everything was paper and pencil and I used the teacher planner book to keep track of student grades. The only technology tool they used was during special education IEP paper work. They had a special pen that recorded information about the student and kept the new objectives in the pen and then later printed out the information.
Today I use a variety of strategies and educational technology tools in order to strengthen assessment in my classroom and school they are: Microsoft excel to analyze student data during the three marking periods. The information on the excel program captures reading test scores and writing prompt scores. The reading consultant and principal receive this information and later give it to the Superintendent of schools. Our school is becoming data driven due to our school being on the AYP list. We need to follow the students� progress and figure out what direction our lessons need to be going towards. I use this information to differentiate instruction and steer my lessons towards the strengths and weaknesses of my children. I use reading a-z for informal running records in reading groups. I also use it because it has leveled books both in English and in Spanish. Spanish speaking families love when I send these books home. Then they can practice on their child�s level and in their native tongue. I also send home scholastic book clubs both in English and in Spanish. Every letter that gets sent home is in English and in Spanish. I use integrade Pro it is a report card program. Starfall is another online resource I use to strengthen their spelling inventory tests. This program helps children learn how to decode words. They hear it, see it, and spell it. It is interactive, fun, and educational all at the same time. It is a great visual and auditory tool for them. During writing workshop I use the Units of Study Primary Writing (A year long curriculum K-2) It includes a CD that includes writing templates for the students, conferencing tips, and rubrics in order to score their writing. To assist with the writing prompts I use writing fix. This online resource comes up with unique interest level writing prompts. This helps the children get ready for their writing prompts. I model a few examples and set up the expectations for them and then they try it on their own.
As an inclusion teacher I plan to advocate the use of online IEP�s. I have attended meetings when the paper work gets filled out during the meeting. Online IEP�s have less paper work (save the trees), the special education teacher will be able to service the children instead of filling out paperwork, it is quickly accessible for all, and transferable to schools quickly and the child can receive appropriate services accurately and promptly. Parents will be able to assist in their child�s education by practicing the goals that have been outlined in the IEP for them (U.S. Department of Education, 2004).
In the future I plan to have parental involvement in assessment through my classroom webpage. I just received access to my account at the end of this school year. The following things mentioned will appear on my webpage. I will have expectations for reading workshop and reading logs for homework. An online calendar that posts special events and test dates. I will also post writing workshop expectations and I will show the parents how they will be scored. I will post math objectives for the week so that parents can reinforce the skills at home. Several parents used my webpage email account to contact me for comments, questions, and concerns this year. I hope it will continue on my new and improved webpage.
Bibliography
U. S. Department of Education. Retrieved June 18, 2007, from
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/site/edlite- default.html
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