Objective assessments

Example of a type of assessment

Are test really the only type of objective assessments?  Many teachers may thing this is a true statement but there are many ways that teachers can assess students.  Some assessment can be student work such as posters, drawings, reports and much much more.

Assessments do not have to be memorizing facts and dates long enough for a text.  Students can use programs such as wordle to help show the terms they have learned in a specific area of study such as history, and science.  When teachers are looking at assessment they need to be aware of the students different learning styles and find way to incorporate them into the assessment.

The best information that I have viewed about assessment has to be this video on youtube.  As educators we need to show the students that what they are doing is importnat to real life.  All the time I am asked by my own son why do they keep teaching me the same thing all the time how can I use this in real life?  I know he's not the only student to feel this way and if we can show the students why its importnat they will be more willing to buy into what we are teaching them.  This may also help bring up state scores helping schools finally meet AYP standards and help teachers keep their jobs.  Its not the teaching that is broken but the way we assess.                                                                                  

Technology Infussed Classroom

When I think of a technology infussed classroom I puicture a classroom where the students are activly engaged in some form of technology.  This can include SmartBoards, doc cameras, computers, tables, iPods, blogs, web quest and so much more.  There are also many different types of programs that teachers can use with their students such as Spelling City, IXL, Flashcard Stash, blogs and Wordles.

When a teacher is introducing technology into the classroom it needs to be taught whole groups explaining to the students how to use it.  Once the teacher feels that the students have grasped the concept then they let them go work on it individually taking the time to find those struggling students that need more direct instruction.  This is when the one on one or one on two teaching takes place.
  

Teaching with Technology

Instructional strategies and technology

 When it comes to teaching you have to have many tools in your teachers toolbox. One of the main reasons for this is because not all students learn the same way. Teachers need to be ready for anything that could happen, such as the student who is struggling with spelling and needs a reduced list of spelling words, or the student who struggles with reading and needs small group instruction.

Click to go to Spelling City

There are many different tools that teachers can use to help these students, such as; technology.  Many teachers are starting to use spellingcity.com to help their students with weekly spelling.  On this site teachers can have fun activities for the students to complete each week using their spelling words, give a pre- and post test and even assign the amount of words the students receive helping differentiate the lessons.
 
 While teaching library I use technology on a regular basis.  Many lessons include searching for books on OPAC, doing research on World Book online.  The students also learn how to use MicroSoft PowerPoint(to make presentations) and Word (write reports).  Elementary libraries are very important for students because of the technology they learn.  Librarians are helping students K-6 get ready for middle and high school research.  By the time they leave elementary school they should be able to put a paper together and cite their sources along with know how to find information both on the computer and in books.