Technology Assessments

Assess, assess, assess is all it seems to come to in the world we live in today. What should we be assessing? Who should we be assessing? are the questions that arise every month, every week, every day in the public school setting. I think we need to be able to look at growth in teachers as well as students when it comes different features of education, but at what cost are we conforming to "teaching to a test"?

Teachers should be using technology in the classroom as well as in life. This is a changing world from when I was in high school and that has only been 10 years ago. Assess sounds like such a harsh word to use when it comes to helping teachers understand how to use technology. I think more professional development should focus on teachers understanding how Smartboards, computers, and clickers work, but we don't have that much time to devote to these ideas. I think starting with simple steps, like online gradebooks, is a smart start in moving forward in a positive direction. I don't expect all teachers to understand technology the way that I do, but that doesn't mean it can't be used. We have to show them the basics in order for them to take grasp to the concept. So "show" to me is better than "assess" teachers and their technology knowledge.

Students are in the generation that technology is of the norm. I think most of our students will be teaching teachers how to use some of the products that we have. My parents and some teachers are of the age that the DVD player is something hard, but for students this is something they have grown up with. Teaching students how to use different products like Microsoft Office and Photoshop might be the trend we need to be teaching, but I don't really think there are too many students out there who don't know how to start up a basic computer.

Life without assessment, oh where would we be? I love teaching with technology and I find it interesting how far advanced students are than where I was 10 years ago. Technology is every changing and we have to change with it. Staying up to date with the latest gadgets is the only way to keep ahead of our students.