Assessing and Improving Student Achievement with Technology Reflection

As with all of the classes along my journey to feeling more confident in technology and using it effectively in the classroom with my students, this class has taught me so much.  One of the greatest advantages in education, I believe, is the ability to quickly assess students so that the data provided can be acted on in a timely matter.  Technology has made this possible.  The classroom is such a dynamic place.  Teachers may be masters of the content and curriculum, but they just never know how their students will receive it, question it, use it, or understand it.  Formative assessments are now easily given and with the help of tech tools, they can be graded almost instantaneously.  What does this mean for the teacher and students?  Teachers can now use that feedback to form groups making them more flexible and fluid than ever before.  In the past, this process of grading a formative assessment meant either quickly trying to grade them while students were doing busy work, or taking them home at night which meant the data couldn't be used until the next day.  That's a whole evening of possible homework that maybe is too hard or too easy for students.  Formative assessments put an end to instruction that doesn't meet student needs.

To add to that, technology opens the doors to more personalized learning for students.  Just as teachers are able to tailor their guided group instruction to student needs, technology also provides teachers with many platforms that aid in individualized instruction.  There's no more "waiting to learn," for students.  A tech tool such as IXL or Freckle will assess students, fit activities to the needs of the particular student, provide immediate feedback, and offer examples and videos to help students who may need additional instruction.  These tools don't by any means eliminate the teacher, but when used as part of the instruction, open many doors to students with reteaching or enrichment opportunities.  It also means that students can learn for mastery.  There isn't just one path for everyone.  Some students will take longer or need different tools, but teachers have more options to meet these needs today than ever before.

And then there's the grading discussion...unfortunately, it will probably never go away because of how it's rooted in our society. But education is evolving and using performance-based assessments, rubrics, self-assessments, and portfolios just got easier with the use of technology. One of the main ways I see grading changing in my classroom for next year is bringing back the use of student portfolios.  Requiring students to better understand the learning goals, create goals for themselves and learning plans, as well as collect the evidence needed to prove that they've met those goals, puts the student in charge.  The teacher works as the coach alongside to help them reach their goals and redirect as needed.  I want to see my students as conductors in their education and not passengers.

Digital badges, learning games, and gamification also help to engage and empower our students.  As the world changes, so must education.  We are preparing students for jobs that don't even exist yet.  I want to make my students into life-long learners by letting them see that learning is fun.  Teaching content through games and having students practice in a way that is entertaining and rewarding keeps them wanting more.  Our students today have just begun their learning journey.  Let's make it a positive one that meets every kid where they are and opens the doors of possibility.