Assessment Technology

By:
Heather Smith
Technology has influenced the classroom in more ways than we think about. We
recognize the changes that have been made within classroom instruction, as well as the
advancements that are available to students that allow them to work more independently and
outside of the classroom through computer programs, the addition of the internet and useful
websites. There is another aspect of teaching that has also been impacted by the addition of
technology, and that is classroom assessments. Throughout this blog post I will identify the many
ways technology has impacted assessments, the different types of assessments and how
technology is used within them, the pros and cons of these assessments, and the importance of
assessment technology in connection with ISTE standards. All these facts will give you a better
understanding of todays assessment technology.
Technology can facilitate the ongoing effort to assess student learning in many ways. The
introduction of computers and programs have given teachers more advantages then they once
had. There are new and inventive ways for teachers to create different assessment types. Also
scoring, tallying and organizing students grades have never been easier with the addition of
technology through computerized grade books, therefor taking less time to do these tasks.
Teachers need to know about their pupils progress, and difficulties learning so that they
can adapt their own work to meet pupils needs Lee, H., Feldman, A., & Beatty, I (2012). As
teachers we often use assessments to gain this knowledge. There are two types of assessments,
formative and summative. Formative assessments provides on-going evaluation of a students

learning Perera-Diltz, D. M., & Moe, J. L. (2014). These assessments often times occur
multiple times during the semester. Formative assessments can use the same style multiple times
such as weekly quiz or a combination of styles such as a quiz and the inclusion of an essay or
even a lab activity. Summative assessment is the measure of an end product, such as cumulative
final exam or research paper (Perera-Diltz, D. M., & Moe, J. L. 2014). Technology could aide
teachers in facilitating both types of assessments with computers and websites that could create
both a short quiz on smaller subject matters to check the students progress, as well as creating
larger exams with the addition of larger subject matter, to check the students overall
understanding of the class.
There are great advantages to using to using technology to assess students learning.
Computerized quizzes can be created with the teachers preferences, and can give instant
feedback such as scores and opinions of students who take the quizzes. This can save time for
teachers who once had to hand grade every student assessment. With advantages comes
disadvantages. Technology is not built indestructible, so there will be glitches and other issues
that could arise in the middle of an assessment. Also, the potential of students cheating could be
higher with the addition of technology, because the classroom now has the ability to stretch
outside the confined four walls of the school and the two eyes of the teacher.
These advantages and disadvantages are far more than enough to see why a teacher
should not rely solely on the use of technology only. Vygotsky once said that learning is the
result of social interaction. What plays a role in students learning is the interaction between
themselves, their peers and teachers (Lee, H., Feldman, A., & Beatty, I 2012). Technology can
make the interaction and assessments easier, perhaps more frequent and faster but its not a
necessity, and shouldnt be used solely.

The incorporation of technology in the classroom my leave some teachers wondering

what, if any the guidelines there are for this classroom addition. The good news is there is help,
for teachers to make this a smooth transition. The standards provided by the International
Society for Technology in Education outline those aspects of technology integration that are vital
for success in producing teachers who are technology-literate and effective, Bucci, T. T.,
Cherup, S., & Cunningham, A. (2003). It is important the assessments comply with these
standards provided by the ISTE because they set standards for all educators who are committed
to empowering connected learners in a connected world. These standards allow for consistency
among educators within their classrooms, which I believe is very important.
The use of technology within the classroom is a wonderful and exciting addition. Now
having a clearer understanding of assessments and technology it is hard to ignore the overall
benefit technology plays within the classroom as a whole.
.

References
1.) Lee, H., Feldman, A., & Beatty, I. (2012). Factors that Affect Science and Mathematics
Teachers' Initial Implementation of Technology-Enhanced Formative Assessment Using a
Classroom Response System. Journal of Science Education & Technology, 21(5), 523539.
2.) Perera-Diltz, D. M., & Moe, J. L. (2014). Formative and Summative Assessment in
Online Education. Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching, 7(1), 130-142.
3.) Bucci, T. T., Cherup, S., & Cunningham, A. (2003). ISTE Standards in Teacher
Education: A Collection of Practical Examples. Teacher Educator, 39(2), 95-114.

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