Assessing Meaningful Learning with Technology

Assessing Meaningful Learning with Technology

Rubrics are used as a form of assessment when concerning a student’s work. These rubrics are usually made up of elements and qualities for which a teacher would have enjoyed his/her student to grasp accordingly.  However, there have been various ways to access these rubrics.  For instance, Technology-Based Rubric Tools are being used by teachers as an efficient way of assessing the work of his/her students.  To illustrate, there are two types of rubrics which include bank rubrics which in essence carry an unlimited amount of rubrics concerning all types of subject matter which can be easily accessed and used.  However, I believe it may be a time-consuming process when considering that one has to look through a plethora of rubrics, and on top of that; one has to research them in order to make sure that they assess a particular assignment appropriately.  Therefore, I almost find it unnecessary to use these rubric banks unless one absolutely has to find a rubric at the very last minute, and has no other alternative, or time to check it anyhow.  On the other hand, there are rubric generators provided to teachers who would like a template of sorts in order to create his/her own rubric.  Of course, I believe this is the most efficient way to create a rubric, and it would quite possibly take the headache out of researching a pre-existing rubric, which would probably have taken the same time anyhow. 

In addition, if a teacher wanted to simply study the progression of his/her class ahead of time.  He/she could use clicker assessment tools which usually come in the form of a television remote.  Of course, one would assume that students could not only relate to such a tool, but it is fairly easy to operate.  For instance, a teacher can ask a question to the entire class, and the entire class can answer at the same time without having to say a word.  Usually these answers are posted on some type of screen whether it is a computer screen, a data spreadsheet, or perhaps a whiteboard in front of the classroom.  Nevertheless, I believe this clicker assessment tool would be beneficial in the classroom as classroom participation is not always tremendous due to a student’s fear of speaking out and getting a question wrong, or perhaps taking away from others who would like to answer the question as well. Nevertheless, I think this tool is exceptional, and not only would it account for an easy assessment of student progress, but it would also allow every student to have a voice, even when and if he/she is too afraid to express it. 

On the other hand, there are tools that both teachers and students can use in order to organize thoughts and/or gain knowledge through the use of computer generated concepts maps, or visual diagrams relating to a particular subject matter.  To illustrate “Inspiration” is a type of software that teachers can use to organize their thoughts and ideas by way of concepts maps and organizational strategies that I believe could assist them in lesson planning, among other ideas they have when concerning activities in the classroom.  In addition, “kidspiration” is a type of software that allows students to tap into technology in order to grasp the concepts of math and writing skills among other basic skills necessary to succeed in a particular grade.  Therefore, I believe both to be a productive and effective way to teach a particular subject matter, and grasp the ideas behind it.

Overall, there are ways one can incorporate these tools in their classroom.  For instance, one could use technology based rubrics in order to create an overall assessment of a student’s progress in a class or on a particular subject such as projects, oral papers, and so on.  In addition, clicker assessment tools can be used in class for assignments such as bell ringers or other short tests that calculate a student’s comprehension of subject matter in a class thus far.  Finally, inspiration and kidspiration can be used by teachers in order to plan out the activities for the week in his/her class, and create an effective schedule for the implementation of that lesson; the kidspiration software could be used by kids in order to use the computer screen to demonstrate information needing to be comprehended by the students by graphs, diagrams, etc.