Overall I’d say that I agree with Grant Wiggins’ stance on assessments. The section about Testing Vs Assessments - the way he says “it’s like a small piece of a bigger portfolio” and that it’s not the end all be all, aligns with how I view assessments & testing as well. Tests have their place and the choice of assessment will vary on material being assessed, objectives, students’ abilities, their backgrounds, etc. It’s difficult to determine a general statement about the various assessments because there’s a time and place where they all could be appropriate. But overall, it’s important to measure what the students’ have learned to ensure the objective is being met. The other section that stood out to me is the section regarding Standardized Testing. I agree that it serves a narrow focus & purpose. It was interesting to read the stats on the results being measured and what it indicates (or fails to indicate) about student success in the future.
- Beyond The Article: Identify one strategy you use for assessing students that you would share with a new teacher? Here are some items you might wish to consider:
- In what ways do you now incorporate technology in your assessments of students? For me the most effective form of assessment and evaluation is my students’ daily writing. I use technology heavily in my classroom; the kids take a picture of their daily writing and submit it to me on SeeSaw so I can keep an ongoing record of their work. It’s helpful to see - in real time - what their strengths are in writing & word study and what next steps are. I’m able to provide immediate feedback on SeeSaw - and it also gives their parents a chance to see their work & my feedback as well. I don’t know what I’d do without SeeSaw!!
- What resonated most with you in the article about the importance of thoughtful assessments of your students? What resonated with me the most from the article is the paragraph that talks about how assessments aren’t just measuring the students’ reading & math, but also the skills that they’ll need to be successful. Thinking critically, analyzing, and making inferences are all necessary real world skills, so different forms of assessment should be carefully chosen by the teacher to make sure it provides insight into where the student stands in practicing these skills.