Introduction
Overview
Narratives
Exhibits Summary

Strand Four:  Assessment and Evaluation
Carrie Ann Engel
Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies.  Teachers:
A.  Apply technology in assessing student learning of subject matter using a variety of assessment techniques.
B.  Use technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.
C.  Apply multiple methods of evaluation to determine students' appropriate use of technology resources for learning, communication, and productivity.
        Assessment is an important, on-going process for teachers.  I used technology to help me assess my class during pre and post assessment.  The pre-assessment was very open-ended.  The children were asked to draw certain parts of a computer.  Then, I used Microsoft Word and Excel to process the results in a grid and eventually a graph that was a visual representation of the children's prior knowledge about seasons, technology, and clouds.  The pregraph shows student outcomes before the unit was taught.  The postgraph shows student outcomes after the unit was taught.  Outcome #2 is specifically related to technology.  The key for both graphs indicates evidence of different levels of understanding (S=substantial, L=limited, M=minimal, and N=none).  These graph show specific gains in understanding after the teaching of my unit.  The post-assessment tool consisted of a picture of computer hardware and software.  The children were asked to identify various technology vocabulary with numbers.
         I did not give formal examinations on computers because I feel that is not an age-appropriate way to assess first graders, but over the course of my unit, my students did four major technology projects.  At the same time, they did many other activities.  I used the finished products of their work at the computer and in the classroom to assess their developing abilities during my unit.  When it was time for conference, I displayed their seasonal concept webs with their seasons writing with pictures in a portfolio book for parents to view.  Asssessments for young children should be drawn from many different sources, but of course all assessments must be age-appropriate.  Chelsea School District gave teachers the option of printing report cards from their own personal computers while I was student teaching.  Assessments can be communicated to parents by using graphs and spreadsheet to organize test results and student progress.

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