What is the difference between traditional standardized testing and authentic assessment? Describe how computers can be used for both. Which do you feel is a better use of computers? Describe examples from the readings or from your own experiences how computers can be used effectively for assessment, and/or how to effectively assess the work students do via the computer.
Traditional standardized testing tends to narrow curriculum for low income school districts because so much time is spent teaching to the test. Standardized tests tend to be culturally biased for English language learners and the methods used to hide these kids' test scores tend to marginalize these kids and force them out of the system which is counter to the expressed goal of NCLB. Authentic assessment on the other hand actually measures how much a student has learned and tends to factor out uninstructed factors such as poverty. Additionally, students become involved in the assessment process and take ownership of their learning. Students are realistically engage in authentic learning processes that cannot be measured by a standardized test.
Computers can be used for standardized testing or authentic assessment. Simply put a student can do everything on a computer that a paper and pencil test requires. Unfortunately, using a computer for standardized testing is a massive waste of the power of the computer in the classroom. The computer is much more effeciently used for projects such as the International Students project in Cummins chapter 3 regarding immigrants rights. Corresponding with elected officials and parents in both English and their native tongues is far more authentic than any canned standardized test. The text rich environment of cyberspace and the ability of students to do so much research is a better use of computer time. The ability to save multiple drafts of writing samples for example really allows teachers to provide feedback and allow assessors, teachers, parents and the students monitor their academic growth over time. Realistic projects focusing on real issues contributes so much more to academic language proficiency and it is measurable over time quite easily with technology. Multiple assessment forms allow teachers to teach and students to learn without pigeon holing students into narrow curriculum's required by standardized testing.
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5 comments:
Hey, Max. I agree with you here. The narrowing of curriculum and the turning of our schools into cram schools really concerns me. It is the high stakes attached to these tests that is doing so much damage.
I like the research aspects and the text-rich environment the internet provides, too. As with so many good ideas and opportunities in education, balance and planning are key factors. I believe there is real potential for positive outcomes, in terms of academic achievement and in tracking that achievement. I am eager to see the application of the best of these technological advances in the classroom.
Hey, Max. I agree with you here. The narrowing of curriculum and the turning of our schools into cram schools really concerns me. It is the high stakes attached to these tests that is doing so much damage.
I like the research aspects and the text-rich environment the internet provides, too. As with so many good ideas and opportunities in education, balance and planning are key factors. I believe there is real potential for positive outcomes, in terms of academic achievement and in tracking that achievement. I am eager to see the application of the best of these technological advances in the classroom.
Hello Max,
I agree that actual learning cannot be measured by Standardized testing. I also agree that our schools, especially low-income schools, are turning into cramming sessions instead of creative interactive learning.
Being a bilingual teacher I can feel the students' stress, not only do they have to worry about learning English but also passing these standardized tests.
I would lke to see school districts adopting authentic assessment instead of the standardized testing we currently have. I feel that it would really help students build a better foundation.
-Adrienne Padilla
Hey Max,
I agree with you. There is such a huge gap between standardized testing and authentic assessment. I think computerizing standardized tests would be just another way of trying to justify this insane idea. But I can almost see it coming. People like this kind of stuff. It sells well.
Hello Max,
I agree with you that computers can do much more than supporting standardized testing. Taking the ePen Pal project in our class as an example, it promotes much more authenticity compared to traditional assessment. Computer supported authentic assessment also makes evaluation more fun and not as stressful for ELLs.
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