Lesson 17

Assessment in a Constructivist, Technology-Supported Learning

From the conversation we gather that some students:

·         Memorize very much for the test.

·         Study only for passing score and a passing grade.

The questions we raise are: “is it really bad to memorize for the test?” and is it not good to study for a score and for a grade? The answer to both questions is a NO .

Authentic assessment is most appropriate for the constructive classroom. Authentic assessment measures collective abilities, written and oral expression skills, analytical skills, manipulative skills, (like computer skills ) integration, creativity, and ability to work collaboratively.

In authentic assessment, students perform real world tasks, thus the word “authentic” assessment includes performance or product assessment.

·         You and your students may develop a rubric. It can be a collaborative effort for both of you- teacher and students- in line with the practice of self-assessment, which is highly encourage. In fact with scoring rubric, standards are clearly set at the beginning for you and your students.

·         Assessment in a technology-supported environment necessarily includes display of skillful and creative use of technologies, old and recent, because that is what is naturally expected of us in the real world, a technology-dominated world.

·         In the 21 century, we need to be computer literate and fluent or we get lost or become helpless.

·         These presentations need performance-based assessment or product assessment. It is a direct assessment.

·         We do not test their computer and creative skills, their analytical and integrative skills by way of a multiple-choice.

·         A technology-supported classroom maximizes the use of old and new technology; students are expected to demonstrate learning with the use of both old and new technology.

·         Students may use transparencies OHP to demonstrate the learned skill of topic presentation.

How do we assess of our students have learned the constructivist’s way of thinking, behaving and living?

-          By using the rubric for understanding and improving meaningful environments.