Saturday, December 12, 2015

Assessment & Evaluation Using Technology




Introduction

As an educator, thorough research in the course of study for term assessment can be referred to in two different activities: the gathering of information, (measurement) and the use of information for institutional and individual improvement (evaluation).

Therefore, assessment is a process used to improve performance or outcome. As a result, evaluation is a process used to determine the quality of performance or outcome and to make decisions based on that quality. Both processes can be formative or summative. Upon completing prior courses in the Master’s program the Internet has become a valuable tool in the learning process. Further, experience as an educator shows that the use of assessments and evaluation provide feedback on knowledge skills, attitudes, and the learning outcome of students.

 Prior MATLT Activity of Program Learning Outcomes 6 and 7

            The redesign of MATLT activity that demonstrates the attainment of PLOs 6 and 7 by using technology resources to facilitate effective assessment and evaluation are as follows: (1) demonstrate competence in their major fields of study; and (2) demonstrate an understanding of service directed at meeting the needs of others. The Constructivist, Social, and Situational Theories give in detail of what is expected in each categories of theorian as it relate to learning environment of individuals.

Principles and Theory Chosen and Why

            The basic principles chosen for this assignment are as follows: learning can be detected by observing an organism over a period of time: and learners build personal interpretation of the world based on experiences and interactions.     As an educator, observing the learning experiences of students mimicking their peers, family members or teachers has given credence to the theory of Cognitive Flexibility which focuses on the nature of learning, in relation to, complex and ill-structured domains.

Challenges and How They Were Overcome

            The challenges experienced during the redesign process was interesting. I could easily see the mistakes of the first time I attempted to use the prior tools for any assignment. I did not let my fear of being unable to use the tools correctly get the best of me. I took a deep breath and decided to give it my all to complete this task and feel great about doing it. The assignment I chose to redesign was one on using Bubbl.us, which uses different technological tools, such as, blogs, Wikis, podcasts and other Web tools. I realized, I needed more practice using these tools, and I hate for anything to defeat me. I am not your everyday “tech savvy” individual, but I will give this my best work by putting extra time into using the different tools, extra practices and help. I, also, appreciate the feedback from my instructors and classmates. The feedback changed my attitude about using technology, and I also gained more confidence after seeing the end results and grades for the assignments. However, I am capable of designing programs that I once had a very hard time putting together, because the learning experience helped me to face my fears about using technology in the workforce. I embrace the use of technology in the learning environment and in my home and with more practice I am sure I can become more effective when using technology.

Solving Problems           

Conclusion

            In conclusion, assessment is a process to improve performance or outcome. Evaluation is a process to determine the quality of performance or outcome and make decision based on that quality. Data collections in schools are no surprise. For years, school districts have collected a vast array of student and institutional information, including such items as test scores, enrollment data, attendance data, budgets, AYP data, finance information and human resource data. According to Shen, J., Cooley, V. E., Ma, X., Reeves, P. L., Burt, W. L., Rainey, J. M., & Yuan, W. (2012), a principal’s ability to use data to monitor important school conditions, is itself, a condition that is associated with student and school success, however, a broader frame is needed to help principals achieve better accountability for the conditions in their schools that impinge upon student success. With the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB-Public Law 107-110), in addition to, the Race to the Top (RITT) provision of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (APRA-Section 14005-6, Title XIV, Public Law 1115-5), holding principals squarely accountable for student outcomes and school condition, implies that principals need better tools for monitoring their own work, especially the work of using data to monitor and inform the process of improving school-level conditions for raising student achievement. Using technology has been that tool to aid the school with some of those problems due to diversity.

References

Shen, J., Cooley, V. E., Ma, X., Reeves, P. L., Burt, W. L., Rainey, J. M., & Yuan, W. (2012).

Data-Informed Decision Making on High-Impact Strategies: Developing and Validating an Instrument for Principals. Journal of Experimental Education, 80(1), 1-25.

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