Teaching+with+Technology+Week+5

Here is an example of authentic assessment that incorporates technology and Web 2.0 tools.

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Such assessments were discussed in this week's readings. The transition from summative to formative assessment was also featured. I know that many teachers are frustrated with students' tendency to only learn the material until they take the test on it. In this classes' discussion board, a comment made by my fellow student, Elayne, made me think of this in a different way. With the focus in education being so much on the summative assessments, it has taught students that knowledge is something to use on a test and then forget about. I know this was not our intention. The move to formative assessment as the main focus, might lead to students seeing how learning builds on itself and ties together into a continuous pattern.

I found the reading about the link between effort and success very interesting as well, and I agree that many children don't see a connection. I think the activities suggested by Pitler, et al. could be very helpful in bringing students to realize that they must work for their knowledge. Including an effort rubric and having students' track their own grades is a excellent way for them to become more aware of their own learning and take responsibility for it.