Assessing and Improving Students Achievement with Technology
I would like to start by saying that this course of Assessing and Improving Students Achievement with Technology had offered me the chance to not only to use technology for assessing students, it had also provided me the tools for using assessments to enhance students' learning experiences. All the assignments, class discussions and the resources aimed at the reflection of why assessments are important in the class for both students and teachers. I would like to highlight the following assignments: the creation of a formative assessment using two different digital tools, and students self-assessment plan.
In reference to the design a formative assessment, I had the opportunity to design and compare Google Form and Socrative digital tools. For the creation of this assessment, I took what Dr. Anabel Jense spoke about on her video, Asking Powerful Questions in the Class, in regard to how to help students be better problem solvers through WHY questions. Now I try to include open-ended questions and drawing conclusions in the formative assessments I do. The complexity of this assessment helped me reflect on my role as an educator that it is to promote critical thinking skills and bring opportunities to students to demonstrate how to apply academic concepts to improve life around us. Therefore, I will continue reflecting on the questions I ask students, and try to be sure I maintain this thinking process in my work.
In regard to the assignment of student's self-assessment plan and self-reflection, I would say that it helped me reinforce the importance of making students accountable for their own learning. Students take ownership of their learning when they know their strengths and the areas for improvement. Therefore, they are able to set learning goals, to decide ways to obtain their goals, revise their goals and reflect on their own learning practices. Teachers facilitate the resources and the guidance for helping students obtain their goals. This assignment helped me believe in continuing the leading of students to understand the purpose of school tasks and reflect on their process of learning.
Overall, this course has increased my knowledge and skills on how to assess students and improve their achievement with technology. I look forward to continue creating assessments that lead to reflection and creativity.
I also really enjoyed comparing the two assessment tools. I chose Forms and GoFormative, because I am interested in using something with more tools and options. I think I am ready to switch over to GoFormative because of this assignment. I have really enjoyed taking this class and I am looking forward to the next one.
ReplyDeleteThe article you mentioned on Asking Powerful Questions is a great one. When we really focus on asking the right kinds of questions we can get much better answers. Critical thinking is essential for college, career, and workplace readiness. When we put these deep critical thinking questions in our formative assessments we can get a very clear picture of what students understand and what we need to continue working on with them.
ReplyDeleteI have also been looking at the various assessments I have already created and adding more questions that involve "why." Just one simple word can offer so much insight into the thoughts of students. I used GoFormative and Quizizz for the options for assessment. I do like Google Forms as well since they are constantly updating based off of feedback received. See you on-line this summer, Clara!
ReplyDeleteClara, I agree. This course has also made me more mindful of my questioning strategies. I also like having students reflect more after certain lessons or at the end of the day. This makes them more accountable for their learning.
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