The Texas Vision plan has stated that the four domains of TEKS must be mastered by students when they reach eighth grade. In order to do this, educators need to monitor the budding skill levels of their students. We must survey our students to find out what they perceive their skill levels are. I believe a shortened version of the technology surveys we filled out for week one assignment help teachers, administrators, and students become aware of emerging technology comfort and skill levels.
Administrators must also understand the level of technology skills that their teacher populations have. One article from this week’s reading stated that students are capable of learning through technology even though the instructor was not comfortable with the particular program. I somewhat disagree. If a teacher is not comfortable, he/ she will be less inclined to request funding for programs or include them into lesson plans.
The pro of technology assessment is that it allows students, teachers, and administrators to take a step back and critically assess their strengths and weaknesses. Also, if assessment is done yearly, loss or growth in each area will be seen. I found this to be true in looking at three years worth of my school’s campus STAR chart. In my opinion, a con of the STAR chart is that some teachers may rush through the process. Therefore numbers may not be accurate from year to year. Also, I found the STAR chart to be weak in assessing what is really important: how technology is integrated into existing curricum.
Jennifer, it has been my experience that students do learn even when I do not know as they teach each other and teach me in the process. Students are not intimidated by technology and therefore they pick it up. They do not have the verbal acuity and experience to teach it, but they “show” you what they are doing and if you are quick and so inclined as an instructor you will pick up on the skill, master it and teach the masses.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that students are quick and have an almost intuitive knowledge of technology. I will never forget when I recieved my first data projector. I had no clue how to connect it or even turn it on. Ten hands came from seemingly out of nowhere, flew around me, and had it done in 2 minutes flat. As the lights hit the screen, I heard oh's and ah's and "Cool, what does it do!!" I was impressed. I just feel that students will not get to experience technology in a classroom setting unless teachers are willing to change their mode of planiing and teaching. teaching
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