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Spencer Horne
EDU-225
January 25, 2015
Randal Yard

Technology to Support Assessment

This essay will explain how teachers and students can benefit from using computerized
based assessments in the classroom. This essay will also cover how teachers can facilitate
technology and assess learning in the classroom, the differences in formative and summative
assessments, pros and cons of using technology, and the importance of ISTE standard in using
technology.
Technology can play a huge role in formative assessment practices that will focus on
integrated conceptual knowledge and problem solving skills. Formative class-room based
assessments can benefit students by providing immediate feedback for students and teachers so
both can work towards improvement. Online testing have become popular with teachers because
they can automatically grade students and provide them with a report. Another way teachers can
use formative learning through technology is to have students use IPads or laptops and have each
student answer questions where teachers can get targeted feedback in which teachers can respond
to them individually (Means, B., 2000).
A summative assessment is evaluating student learning at the end of the instruction and
comparing it to a standard or a benchmark. Summative assessments are usually high stakes which
means the result may have a value to it. Summative assessments can include midterms, final
project, paper, and a senior recital. These assessments tells the teacher how well you learned the
content at the end of the class. Formative assessments are made during so changes can be made

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before students get to the end of class. Both assessments are necessary because it allows teachers
to have the ability to assess the students from beginning to end. Technology can be used to gather
data and develop feedback to ensure the success of the student. Teachers can use computers and
other electronic devices to be able to assess students through interaction along with monitoring.
Teachers can also use computerized testing at the end of the instruction which allows grading to
be done right away (Means, B., 2000).
Technology is a great tool for teachers to use with students in the classroom and not just
for assessments but whether teachers should use technology just for assessments or on a regular
basis is a matter of opinion. Teachers need to use efficient tools and assessments to gather data
about each student in their classroom but also need to have a personal connection. Teachers can
find ways to use technology in their classrooms but not rely on it technology to do the teaching
for them. Students still need to be able to interact with others and the teacher. Clickers are a great
way to for teachers to be able to interact with students and provide immediate feedback (Stiggins,
R., 1997).
The importance assessment technology in the ISTE standard ensures that all teachers are
prepared and exhibits knowledge, skills, and disposition that allows them to teach technology
applications in the classroom. These set of standards also demonstrate the effective use of
technology to support student learning of the content where teachers can provide basic technical
support when needed. Teachers have to be able to help students when using different electronic
devices and be able to use these tools to have the ability to connect with their students in a
modern way (Zemelman, S., & Daniels, H., & Hyde, A., 1998).

References
Means, B. (2000, July). The impact of learning technologies: Penetrating the cloud of confusion.
San Jose, CA.

Stiggins, R. (1997). Student-centered classroom assessment (2nd Ed.).Upper Saddle River,

NJ: Merrill.
Zemelman, S., & Daniels, H., & Hyde, A. (1998). Best practice: New standards for teaching and
learning in America's schools. (2nd Ed.). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann