Week 5

After studying chapter 13, I decided to blog about objective 5: Outline how performanced based assessments provide accurate evidence of student technology-mediated learning. We now know that performance based assessment are activities where the student's performances of skills meet specidied quality standards. This allows direct observation of what the students know and what they are able to do. This specific type of assessment allows for open ended responses. So, instead of just assessing the product, the teacher's assessment of the students is the process AND product. Observing the process provides the accurate evidence of student technology-mediated learning.

As a teacher, I am able to let my students work as a group on a certain unit while integrating technology an dI can observe my students learning while using technology. The summative evidence with this type of assessment allows me to assess both the process and the product. I really like this type of assessment as a teacher because it allows me to let the students focus on demonstrating their knowlede and skills with the technology (powerpoint) and the subject matter, rather than just answering specific questions. As a teacher this type of assessment means I must have a clear purpose, and observable criteria and of course the appropriate setting.

This assessment really seems to be in the students best interest. Especially for those who dont do well with taking tests. It lets students learn how to work as a team as well. However, I was really interested in how much you grade on the process vs the product and visa versa. Or what if you have a group of kids and one takes complete control while the others just sit there? Do you grade individually or as a group? Is there any keys a teacher should be looking for besides the knowledge, product and perfromance skills? Are we positive a student wont fail at the performance part but knows the product part of the subject matter very well? The book doesnt seem to cover any problems that may occur with this assessment.