Journal 3: Assessment Made Easy

Zucker, A (2009).Assessment Made Easy. Learning and Leading with Technology, (June/July2009). 18-21.

The idea of having a one-to-one student-o-computer ration seems like a wonderful idea for fostering a students academic success and making assessment for teacher more effective. The Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST) does this with great results. In all subjects having a computer for each and every student drastically expands the capabilities a teacher has at assessing their students. Teachers can set-up so that some questions are instantly graded providing instant feedback and leave more time to grade essay question. Its not just the computers that are most important its also the programs installed on those computers, training for ninth graders, professional development for teachers, an active e-mail system, and a plethora of related technologies, such as computer probes for sciences classes.

Is this feasible on a larger basis in public education?

In my opinion no it is not feasible to bring this type of program to a larger portion of the public. Our economy is in such a poor state that giving every child in our country a personal computer to use while at school is just unreasonable. Our schools can barely fund art and music programs let alone provided the resources to integrate computers into every classroom for every student. It would be a utopian ideal that allows any person to think this type of education is reasonable on a large widespread basis, but I don't think this type of education will be easily available for a long, long time.

Could integrating technology to this level diminish our capabilities to interact more comfortably in person to person activities?

I think there is a danger in having children spend most of their time in front of a computer instead of interacting with each other. The more children on computers for everything from doing homework and testing, the less they have to interact with one another creating a dangerous situation where kids relate less to each and have a harder time when asked to talk about an issue or project. I do think integrating technology in the classroom can better facilitate learning and assessment, yet at the same time I draw the line with the idea of having every kid tuned into computer during the length of their learning experience.