Reflections+on+Standard+IV


 * Reflection on Standard IV: Assessment and Evaluation **

This standard addresses the role technology facilitators and leaders play in the assessment and evaluation process. Technology leaders and facilitators are responsible for data management (collecting, interpreting, analyzing) all types of data that influence student achievement and school improvement. NCLB mandates that districts be held accountable for student performance. The way a district’s accountability is assessed is by the information acquired from their AYP report and student evaluation/assessment. As educational requirements change the requirement for districts be accountable will still be required. “These current conditions increase the demand for educational technologists to demonstrate how technology can improve assessment of student learning in the classroom, district-level benchmarking throughout the school year, and annual administrations or high-stakes, standardized testing” (Williamson & Redish, 2009). Technology facilitators and leaders have the responsibility of finding technology tools and applications that can simplify the gathering of this valuable information. Computer based testing is one method of collecting, tracking and retrieving student data. During this course one of my field experiences dealt with administering the Geometry EOC field test. This test was given by computer and the results were immediately uploaded and reported to the state. The data collected was analyzed by state officials and the results were recorded. Within a twenty-four hour period, the results were available for view by the testing teacher. “When implemented properly, these features of CBT reduce teacher administrative work to prepare assessments and provide educators with the student assessment data needed to modify and differentiate instruction” (Williamson & Redish, 2009). Using CBT opens the door to tailor made testing or adaptive computer testing. Varying degrees of difficulty can be incorporated into the testing program to address the student need.

Hand held responders (clickers) allow educators to adapt multiple choice and true/false testing questions to a technology application tool very easily. Clickers allow students to answer questions anonymously and get immediate feedback about the results. I have learned that testing is not the only way to assess knowledge. I can assess by assigning projects, monitoring student input on projects and group participation. I have experienced CBT and worked with hand held response systems. Learning how to disaggregate the data collected in the AEIS report, AYP and STaR chart clarified why data is so important to making decisions. Learning how assessment and data collection is has given me a clearer understanding on how important having a technology leader/facilitator can be. “Technologists must be prepared t shape new strategies to assess student technology literacy” (Williamson & Redish, 2009).

**References** Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). //Technology facilitation and leadership standards: what every K-12 leader should know and be able to do//. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.