Is testing the only assessment teachers should do?

Tests! Tests! Tests!  That’s all schools every talk about these days.  It’s all about testing, data and a student's test scores.  Our schools have lost the focus that should be directed on our students and trying to be able to make education fun.  If all we do is test, then the students stop caring about their education.  Testing isn’t fun and should be done on a rare occasion.  I do think that testing is necessary and gives teachers an overall look at what a student's strengths and weakness are, but it is not the only way to get that information.

There are many different types of assessments: informal and formal.  Assessments such as pre-tests, post-tests, quizzes, state and district tests are considered to be formal assessments.  These are the typical assessments that we think of when someone mentions testing.  Hands signals, four corners, and white boards are just a few of the informal assessments teachers can do in their classes.  Teachers can easily use informal assessments as a quick check to see which kids understand the content after a lesson and which students do not.  Doing these quick checks allows for teachers to see which kids may need to be pulled for small groups for more individualized instruction.  Formal assessments should be limited to only at the in the beginning, middle and end of a unit.  This keeps the kids from getting overwhelmed with all the testing.

Unfortunately, I do not see things changing any time soon.  I see it getting worse year after year.  As a teacher, I need to focus my attention on teaching my students and making it meaningful for them.  As long as I do my best to provide them with the strategies and real-life examples, then they should be successful on these assessments without stress!

Technology-Infused Classroom

What is a technology-infused classroom?  Well to me it is exactly how it sounds... a classroom that utilizes technology regularly!  These types of classrooms could be online classrooms, such as distant learning, or traditional classrooms that integrate technology.  With the 21st Century learner, teachers are taking a back seat to permit students to learn more independently through the use of technology.  With a technology-infused classroom teachers are allowing for active student engagement with technology and with the new Common Core standards, it is important for teachers to be using real-world examples so that the students can make meaning of the content.  Such technology based real-world examples could be allowing for the students to do an online simulation, take a virtual field trip, create multimedia presentations or completing online assignments and assessments.

I have to admit that it has been difficult for me to integrate technology into my classroom for many reasons.  I find that it is difficult 

to use technology daily in a mathematics classroom.  However, as I become more familiar with the different programs and applications that are available to my content area, I am finding new ways to integrate technology more into my classroom.  One thing I want to start using more of is My Big Campus which will allow for me to create and post videos online for students to view at anytime.  To make student more involved in the learning process, I could have them create the videos for me.  When students can verbalize their thinking process and can explain how or what they did to solve the problems, allows for a deeper understanding of the content.  Students can then complete an online assignment based on what they learned from the videos that were created and seen.  Another way I can infuse technology more, would be to create interactive lessons using a SmartBoard and clickers (which is something I want to look into getting).  As I become more comfortable with different technology programs, I will start to see myself integrate them more into my classroom than what I have done currently.

Visual Literacy and the use of the Internet in the Classroom

Visual literacy allows for students to make meaningful connections through a given image.  Students then take these connections to process and communicate their own ideas that capture their visual thinking.  Students need to be able to make these meaningful connections in order for there to be purpose behind why they are learning.  The internet can help students become visual learners by providing them with loads of images in which they can interpret themselves.  Doing this creates higher level thinking skills and teaches students how to interpret feelings, emotions, etc.  We want students to be independent thinkers and visual literacy helps with that.

I can honestly say that I have never thought about using visual-thinking strategies in my math class.  Math isn't a subject in which a picture maps out the concept and how to perform operations, especially in upper grades.  The only way I could think of using visual-thinking strategies is with word problems.  Students can look at a picture and interpret what the picture means and then match that picture with a given word problem to solve.  Word problems in the only time during math class that we use pictures.  My classes will be getting into transformations soon and I feel that students can study a picture to determine the transformation that was done in order to get from one image to the next.  

The internet is a huge tool used in my classroom.  I want the internet to be a helpful resources and not a time filler.  The internet needs to have meaning to the content so that students can make connections and be more engaged in the learning.  I use the internet a lot to locate videos to show my students on given math concepts, have them play interactive games or simulations to model a strategy and to even assign classwork.  The websites I use will always provide videos and hints for students to access when they are confused or stuck on a problem.  

Instructional Strategies for the 21st Century Learner

          Students growing up in the 21st Century are completely different those that grew up 20 or more years ago.  The way we learn and the teaching styles have continued to change to better meet the needs of future students.  When I was in school, teaching was mostly done through direct instruction, reading from a textbook and constant note taking.  This is different then the way I am teaching my students.  I use a mixture of instructional videos, direct instruction, inquiry, hands on activities, educational games, cooperative learning groups and online learning environments.  The importance of using a variety of teaching methods is so that we can meet the needs of all students and be able to reach all types of learners (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic).  When we are instructing, we need to provide a different approach in order for there to be audio, visuals, and hands on activities incorporated so that way we can allow for better retention and understanding of the content.  Some kids need to only be taught using one approach, but others would benefit from using all three.  Overall, we want our students to be successful and the best way is to use a variety of teaching strategies.

        
          As a teacher in the 21st Century, it is not only important to use a variety of teaching methods, but to also incorporate more technology.  Our students already live in a technologically advanced society and it's only going to continue to grow.  We need to be preparing these kids to understand the different programs and technologies that they may see in the future.  This helps them be prepared for future educational classes in high school or college, as well as prepares them for a professional world.  Technology allows for teachers to incorporate these different strategies to meet the needs of all learners.  We can use videos which will meet the needs of our audio and visual learners.  We can also use simulations in which students are being more hands on with the content with the use of computers.  



          I have done a lot of adjusting this year to my teaching strategies just by getting my master's degree in technology.  My eyes have opened as I become more exposed to different technologies and programs that I can use on a daily basis in my class.  I have seen some huge gains with my students' engagement and willingness to learn.  I will continue to use a variety of teaching strategies and technologies in my classroom so that my students have the best opportunity to learn and be successful.