Assessments

“All students are driven by requirements to maintain and improve standardized test scores.” (Solomon & Schrum, 2007) Teachers have a difficult time letting go of old- fashioned, traditional teaching styles because of the matter in which students are assessed. Solomon & Schrum assure students can be successful on standardized tests when given authentic, ongoing assessments. Web 2.0 tools can be utilized for assessment if educators plan instruction around a standard using various technological tools.

Harry Tuttle’s suggestions for using Web 2.0 tools for authentic assessment caught my attention. One suggestion was to have Social Studies students work in small group, cooperative groups, perhaps, to create their own social bookmarks. Students may use a site, such as del.icio.us at [|http://del.icio.us], as suggested by Pitler in Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. Students would have to use their critical thinking skills to determine if a website fits the needs of the students for future use. This type of learning activity can be used as an authentic assessment by the teacher. Blogs, wikis, videoconferencing, e-portfolios, and social software, such as Elgg Web site, can all be used by educators to engage students in activities that can then lead to authentic assessments that will ultimately benefit the students.