http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/03/13/25execsum.h33.html?tkn=WQZFK9htsgDHjJWiIsqV4NF%2BPmt4fyZkZWuS&print=1
One of the main points of this reading is how technology in schools is being affected by online assessments being considered "the undeniable wave of the future." With very little time before most states begin taking these online assessment that are aligned to the Common Core Standards, there are still quite a few schools who do not have the technology to support them. Another key point made is in-class formative assessment is being discovered as a very powerful tool, but that teachers need to be careful to be sure that these digital game that have embedded assessments are being integrated in a thoughtful way that promotes learning.
This is important because of the very fast movement online assessments and the lack of funds that districts have to make it work! Technology is expensive and (at least in Illinois) schools continue to get less and less money, which makes it much harder to keep up with the never-ending evolution of technology.
I agree with the movement toward technology based adaptive assessments, as they are a very handy tool in creating individualized instruction plans. I disagree that this is how these tests always get used though. One of the things mentioned at the beginning of the article was that the schools need a commitment to ongoing professional development for the use of digital tools to transform testing. A lack of PD, a lack of money, as well as teachers lack of buying in to technology are all factors that need to be overcome for these technology assessments to become powerful!!!
In my school, I feel that we are a bit behind the curve, but mainly only in the number of devices category. At Davenport Elementary, we only have one lab with 27 computers. This lab is the only source that has devices able to use for MAP testing. Each teacher has 5 iPads, but I don't feel as if the iPad would be a good testing device for MAP. So three times a year, for two weeks each time, I work out a schedule for 25 classes to get in 2 different tests in the lab. I don't teach during these times, but only proctor the test. If we had more technology, even a cart or two of Chromebooks, we would be able to tackle this in a more efficient way. I also feel that our teachers need more training on using the MAP data to individualize their instruction.
Other thoughts I have about this reading are on the mentioning of a "this too shall pass" state of mind. I do think that there are still some educators that take that stance when it comes to technology. My feelings are "WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!" Technology is only going to grow into more places in our lives, it's not going away. Try it and use it, and you will be amazed at what it can do!
Amy- I completely agree with your statement of "but that teachers need to be careful to be sure that these digital game that have embedded assessments are being integrated in a thoughtful way that promotes learning." Technology in the classroom should be implemented in a very intelligent manner with a clear objective in mind in order to be successful.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your comments about the obstacles we need to overcome in order to successfully use technology as a way of assessment. Assessment is such a powerful thing and it is a shame that many schools aren't able to give immediate feedback to students using technology for the reasons you mentioned. In my school, we have discussed some forms of formative assessment using the computer, but we don't have time to discuss the results as much as we should to alter our instruction, fall short on time to explore different forms of assessment, don't have available leaders to help educate us on using formative assessment in our classrooms, and don't have much in the way of funds to support the possibilities of purchasing programs to help out with formative assessment using technology. In our district, all of our leaders are overloaded with other responsibilities; they are very overwhelmed therefore unfortunately we don't have time to dive deep into things like this :(
Amy, your comments to this article were spot on. It reminds me of an article I read in which it stated that across the country, many school districts are running on an internet bandwidth no larger than personal home internet. It is not just the cost of technology, but the cost of up keeping that technology and maintaining an infrastructure that can support the technology.
ReplyDeleteThe attitude toward technology has been the same since it first started entering the workforce and education. There is always a fear. The resistance people have and your comment, "this too shall pass", reminds me that at one point in time, the paper and pencil was a hard sell at one point in time as an alternative to chalk boards.
I like that you also included training into this. Technology is one of the most complicated tools that is being integrated into education. This fact is well accepted, however many districts expect and set the precedent that teachers need to learn this on their own, with very few trainings offered by the district. Maybe this is just another cost that districts cannot afford, but also maybe there is a perception that this is easier to learn than it really is.
Amy, I completely agree with everything that you have said especially about the teachers needing more training. I think especially in this district we are given so much information about MAP and common core but teachers have little or no time to discuss how to use this information in the classroom. Teachers need time to collaborate and discuss how to use these technologies to our advances while enhancing student learning. Teachers are expected to use testing information and such in their teaching but are given no direction how to do so.
ReplyDeleteI also completely agree that technology is constantly growing and is not going anywhere anytime soon. I do think people need to wake up and embrace it instead of referring to the negatives all of the time. I think it is important to stress to teachers that no one is expecting them to be an expert when it comes to new technology or any technology for that matter, but to become familiar and at least give it a try a little at a time.
I completely understand the challenge of having enough devices to accommodate the technology of computerized testing. Currently, my school has implemented the 1:1 initiative, with each student having an iPad. I agree that this device does not lend itself well to computerized assessment, so in my district, we have one lab with 30 computers (if they are all working) to give the MAP assessment tests 3 times a year. Because I teach ELA classes, I loose 2-3 days of instruction each time a test needs to be given (we do Reading and Language Arts, along with Math). My district cannot justify more computer labs because of the individual devices, but then teachers that are required to give the tests are losing a week or more of instruction each year in order to coordinate and complete the testing.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that teachers need more training on how to use this testing to benefit their instruction. I know that I would appreciate it.
I agree that lack of technology hurts smaller schools as the new wave in online testing approaches. However, I think this does motivate these schools to address their needs of providing technology to their students even if their hand is forced through online testing.
ReplyDeleteI also totally agree about the training aspect of technology. We are required to provide scaffolded instruction to our students so as teacher and previously students I believe we require the same support as we try and learn something new.
I feel your pain, to a degree-I only have to MAP test for one week as opposed to the two weeks like you have to. Just watching the kindergartners trying to use a mouse-makes you wonder how effective the tests scores can be when some kids can barely navigate the program!!
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